Smart Start Reviews

I think his name is (Jason or Jeremy), said he would be right out and be bringing one of the owners. Jason showed up and the owner (Mike) showed up right after him. They fixed everything within a few minutes. I don't know what to say. They were great to work with and I am very happy with my decision. I know they run various locations around PA and WV. So, you should NOT be worried about working with them in this area. They are professional and trustworthy.

He wasn't able to do it so I got a violation, had to pay $50 to get my device reset, and now have to have a hearing about why I didn't blow into the device. The hearing is in Arizona, and I live in Michigan. FIGURE IT OUT SMART START, YOU RUN THIS COMPANY LIKE A BUNCH OF RADICAL INCONSIDERATE CROOKS!!! After talking with 4 different Smart Start representatives on the phone I got the great advice of, "you should have stayed there with him while he worked on the car or had him disable the starter on your vehicle."

How about no, “You don't think I thought of that?” I didn't have the availability to stick around the mechanics for 6 hours, and if I did that's **. You can't come up with a process that prevents me from killing 6 hours of my day every time my car needs maintenance. Also, I'm pretty sure no mechanic would be willing to work on my car if: (1) they had to blow into my interlock device or be charged with $50; (2) have me hold their hand while they worked on my car; and (3) disable the starter, etc. to do work. It's ridiculous and the fact that this is a government issued process it makes the consumer powerless. It's direct proof of a mutual benefit of the government and Smart Start. Something has to be done about this.

Mouthwash gave me a warning! I got a pass when I should not have! You get an abort short or abort hum for doing the same thing that gets a pass! Think of the bacteria growing inside the device with all the excess spit and phlegm getting stuck inside of it! Who knows if it was cleaned before they issued it to you? It’s unsanitary despite the mouth piece. It won’t detect weed or prescription drugs such as vicadin so what’s the point? I heard that if you inhale a helium balloon you will get a pass. Just a rumor though.

The humiliation of starting your car and people seeing you blow is mental cruelty just like wearing a scarlet A on your chest. It is cruel and unusual punishment! The blow time and force is painful. Just a few reasons Smart Start should have their ** sued for putting something as ineffective on the market. I will hand it to them when they targeted those with DUI's thinking nobody will listen to them and they get away with it. Huge money scam!

He changed out the camera and who knows what else, then told me it would cost me an extra $40 for the violation reset. I got really pissed off, voiced myself in a professional manner. He walked to the back of the shop and said he called Smart Start and they agreed to waive the fee as a one-time courtesy. The next day, I spoke with an employee for Smart Start (Nikki) and she pulled up the report and said, "Doesn't look like an alcohol reading to me. You must have eaten while driving"... No, I didn't. I ate before I left home. GET THIS, then she said and I quote, "DON'T EAT before you drive." I asked for how long before I drive, she then said, "Just rinse."

I asked if they could write a letter explaining the difference between a real violation vs food, drink or whatever, she said, "No, that's why you were trained before you get device." When I told her about the reviews she said, "Of course people are mad that they have to have something in their car that will make them get in trouble." After this experience and reading reviews, I will be taking my business elsewhere even though it will cost me $65. My friend told me that from now on if it does that, call the police and have them do the test, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

I was told I'm not allowed to work on the vehicle myself. It has to be done by a licensed repair facility. I am a mechanic, I'll be damned if I pay someone else to fix my cars. Now for the device, in cold weather, I've tried blowing numerous times with it saying ABORT OFFSET. I then wait for 10-15 seconds to blow again. The whole time this is going on, it's counting down from 5 min. It ran out of time and violocked on me. Not my fault. That cost me $80. The worst is it saying I started the vehicle without blowing. This happened twice, and the 2 times the vehicle was parked in the garage with a blown rear-end. I've had nothing but problems with the device and it has cost me at least $2,500 in the last year. Something should be done about these companies.

I finally had to call the location back and tell them that I have been stranded and they said they're sorry about that. This is 2 times in a week that this has occurred not to mention all the previous times when the equipment has just playing out right not registered any blows. I'm so sick of this nonsense I'm thinking about just having them remove it and I will take my business elsewhere. I'm also thinking about contacting an attorney for him to go ahead and look into the issue regarding how much mental stress it has cost.

At this point, my attention is barely on my driving and totally focused on stopping the lights/horn. Smart Start suggests pulling off to a safe place to take the retests, but this is impossible when you are in an HOV lane with no shoulders and/or bumper to bumper traffic on an interstate (I live outside Washington, DC and commute Interstate 95/495). After two weeks, the unit started to beep randomly between tests and read: "Recall 3.48". It did not ask for a retest, but the horns and lights would start flashing and the unit would then reset itself making it impossible to stop the horns/lights until the unit was ready for a retest. I took the car into the local shop and they replaced a portion of the unit. I drove off the lot and not less than three minutes passed before I had the "Recall 3" and the horns/lights going off. I returned again to the shop and the entire unit was replaced.

Although the "Recall 3s" have stopped since the new unit has been put in, starting the car and the rolling retests continue to be challenged with numerous "Abort early" failures. I have also had 3 family members use the unit and they have all had the exact same problems with the "Abort early" or "Abort neg" so I'm convinced it's not just me blowing incorrectly all the time... I just pray I don't hurt someone in the next five months while this interlock remains on my car.

Essentially, I was going to have to pay $50.00 for eating a bagel and cream cheese. I did not get a DWI for eating a bagel and cream cheese. We can put a man on the moon but can’t invent a device to differentiate between a bagel and drinking an alcoholic beverage??? I refuse to pay this and find this negligent, fraudulent, and downright illegal. I am going to hire an attorney and sue Smart Start. I have paid my dues for the mistake that I made (Drinking and Driving) and do not deserve this ridiculous mistreatment as I no longer drink and am doing all the right things to rectify my mistake but continue to get punished by a corrupt company with faulty devices.

They should have replaced it the first time I reported it malfunctioning, which was in June, the month I got it installed. I called them every week basically…reporting the issues I had with it. I get my device out in 4 days, thank God! I just discovered though that in the contract I signed, it says that they have to replace or repair anything about the device that malfunctions. They refused to reimburse me. They violated the contract for the whole year, and I’m reporting this to the Congressmen of NJ, the court and possibly suing them.

Months down the road, I was calling in an attempt to settle incorrect information reported to the DMV and possibly figure out what happened with my account. I spoke with Sarah at first who seemed nice when she answered but quickly turned rude when I told her why I called. I told her my car was stolen and that I need to settle the incorrect info submitted to DMV. For some reason, Sarah insisted on asking where the device was after I had told her more than once my car had been stolen and that, in fact, my car had been stolen twice.

After further explanation, she said, "I completely understand; you can speak with my manager tomorrow and try to talk to her." The next day, I spoke with Marsha, the manager, who was THE rudest person in customer service I have EVER spoken with. She accused me of stealing "her" machine and demanded that I pay "her" before she could help me settle the incorrect information reported with the DMV. Marsha was rude and accusing to all ends and I had to tell her more than once that my car was stolen and that there was a police report on file. I quote Marsha saying, "I can't help you until you pay me for my machine," and "I'm not going to do you any favors," to which I replied, "I'm not asking for favors. I called to settle the issue with my account and the false information reported to DMV."

So they reported incorrect information, but require me to pay Marsha off before she can report the correct information? This sounds like blackmail or extortion to me. I'm no lawyer but nothing about this sounds "legal."

But in the morning after many hours, it restarted liked nothing happened. I tried to get SS to send me a new unit but they wouldn't. On the way back to Michigan, it happened again so they instructed me to go 40 miles out of my way to have them reset... They didn't know how to do that so they just disconnected it and had me drive home without. On the 6th month, I had it removed because I was working in Florida where they aren't. They violated me for not showing up to my next appointment which was impossible because I had the unit taken out before my last appointment. I had been driving with a new company, Life Saver (GREAT TO WORK WITH), for over 2 months when I found out that I had been driving illegally.

It took them over 2 weeks to fax the state that they had made a mistake and that was with me calling every day to see if they faxed it. They didn't seem to care that I couldn't get to work. They treat you with disrespect and poor customer service in their front office. The technician that helped me was wonderful. I told the facts and he documented them as I suggested. When he didn't know what the reading meant either, he called after hours to the manufacturer and helped me. He called me back and followed through. He was out of the Mich. branch and he seemed to care for what I was going through. I would not recommend Smart Start to anyone.

Now we have to hire an attorney to go to the DMV just so I can keep my license. This guarantee they have that on your satisfaction is a crock. I've got copies of emails sent to the corporate office and Ms. Daisy ** had promised and promised that someone would get in touch with me. This started around October 2012 and today is the 2nd of June 2013 and no one has attempted to contact me.

Today, what pushed me past the brink were the rolling retests. The test prompted the second I turned the key off, which resulted in an instant violation. This happened twice today. And lastly, you will get a letter in the mail from a violation. Smart Start seems okay to fax it in and correct the situation; however, I went to another location the other day and they were trying to charge me $35 to fax the letter in to corporate to have them fix it. Extremely inconsistent and awful service. Do not use Smart Start. I dare corporate to email me.

Two months after I went to registry when my 2 years was up, to get my removal authorization, the registry stated they needed something from the Smart Start stating the issue. I contacted Smart Start. Five hours later, someone from Smart Start contacted me to tell me there was nothing they could do, that I must have had a battery problem which was my responsibility. They won't give me any documentation of the issue because they knew that they can get another six months of $130 from me, let alone any other unit malfunctions that weren't my fault, yet I can prove beyond reasonable doubt where I was, at the times I missed the retests.

Just today I finally got a letter back saying they are looking into it. So I ask if anyone else in the state of Virginia is having problems with Smart Start interlocks, go to the attorney general's website and file a complaint to let them know about this company!

Last time I checked, the dealership did not do interlock devices. I drive a very expensive European car, and I can't even imagine what it's going to cost me to fix this problem. To add to the problem, I was forced to drive home at 10 pm on a Saturday night with no front lights, a breathalyzer going off, and one arm because one of my arms is in a cast. Thank you, Smart Start, and the wonderful staff who installed it. Everyone needs at least a little bit more BS in their life at some point, and you have given me more than expected.

So at some point, they rebooted my device. I don't know why they didn't do that sooner because it worked better finally. I had not as many frequent problems. At some point after that, the cord was falling apart and constantly locking me out. I called and called and called. No help at all. Finally, I talked to someone and they told me they looked into it and that the shop told them I refused to get a new cord so I can't get reimbursed. I called the shop and they never said that. So I called her back and she gave me the most ** compromise, that she was going to give me the $20 cord for free to compensate all the times I paid $80 for lockouts?! Finally today, February 4th, 2013, it was the last straw. I called Smart Start for the millionth time because my truck had to be jumped (my truck is a diesel and doesn't start easily in cold weather. After trying to start it a couple times, I could hear the battery getting weaker) and the device read the jump and getting it running again a starting violation! Now why the hell is it having a problem now?

During this conversation, they were saying every time I started it under the hood, that was considered bypassing the device so no reimbursement. They were aware of my situation months ago. Shouldn't they look into my situation? So I asked, okay, if I passed every time, how is that it's not recorded but the starting violations are? I also asked if the tests were recorded with the time and date and if the violations were also with time and date. I was told yes. So I said okay, then I want a copy of the report and I want them to look at it and compare the time and date of me passing to the time and date of the violation. Since they are minutes not even apart, can't they put it together that I'm not bypassing it and just following my sentence?! Why would I by pass it if it's just minutes after me passing it?! I have yet to hear from them. Let's see what happens.

I had to have the car towed from work today to the shop, my appointment to have the reading taken is on 1/28 so I figured I would tell them then that this had been happening, but it always started before so that's why I waited, a big mistake. She said that she would have a new unit that works in the cold to the shop. I said, "No charge, right?" She said, "Yes," and if they did, she would give me the # to call in my state for reimbursement. That will not be an issue, since I am not leaving until my car is fixed and I am not paying a dime. The only way I will leave without a fixed car is in handcuffs!

I am not happy about the attitude of the company or the guys in the shop. I will not be treated this way. I am writing a letter to the Attorney General of North Carolina and asking for an investigation into SmartStart, and why the DMV would do business with such a company, considering the seriousness of the situation for which these devices are installed in the first place, when the company rep came out and told me that there is an issue such as the one I said above.

How can they install a device in someone's vehicle knowing there are issues with it? Someone could be seriously injured or killed by a malfunctioning device. I am going to consult with a lawyer friend on this because I am seriously considering legal action. Again, if anyone knows of a class action suit against this company, please post it.

To prove a point, I sprayed it in my mouth and blew which I got viol and still was told it was not possible. The device will pick up yeast from bread, Tabasco, hand sanitizer and any type of alcohol no matter what molecular base and if it does, it means you are intoxicated to the court system. How should we be held accountable for a machine that cannot distinguish the difference? I'm calling for a formation of a class action lawsuit and petition against the use of these devices if they cannot be made to distinguish the difference in molecular structure. I am more than willing to create an uproar over these devices especially an in-home device because my personal opinion is it's a violation of your civil rights to have a government machine in your house.

I was correct; there is a third exclusion. Well I should have asked for a refund and gone somewhere else - I didn't. Then the next day I called DMV about the paperwork being there as I was promised it would be by the corp. by noon the day before. So, again after 2 hours of phone calls, it was finally done. I got my license on Wednesday and used it (only 48 hrs) till Friday and got the first error message, Pump Abort? So, after an hour on the phone, the corporation got involved and said it was a bad pump unit. So I tried to go to the tech on Sat. and, "Oh, the tech is off that day."

I called again the major corp. Again, after many phone calls, they got the franchise owner, Mike, to guarantee a phone call to me and service on Sunday. I got no phone call on Sat. from this gentleman but a knock on my door on Sunday morning. I greeted them and they said that they are from Smart Start. They went to the vehicle; I offered coffee and all. I looked in and there is no device. I asked what was going on and the one gentleman (ha, ha) told me that I had the tech remove the device! "You have been nothing but a problem to my company from the install and I want nothing to do with you and ** you." I looked at him and said, "What? I am a problem because I fight for my rights and was not wrong in what I asked for? I expect the company I am working with to do as their contract states they will?" So I asked, "Okay, when will I get my refund since your device only worked for 48 hrs and cost me money?"

Again the owner, Mike, looked at me and said, "** you. You're not getting a dime back," and walked away. So I have been in contact with the major corp. and basically, they are not doing a thing and just pushing me off. So stay away from this company.

I am a college educated woman with a modum of sensibility. I get that any product with alcohol can read and avoid those items and many others at all cost. The newest item I was informed of is biscuits. Really? I am certain that being a simple living breathing human is my only downfall. Please call an officer of the law to administer a proven test if you get any inaccurate readings. Maybe someone will show these machines are extremely faulty.

My son, who I was showing how it is done so he can use the car too (we share it), looked at me and said, "It never does that." He has been driving this car for 3 years! Now he blows, passes, turns the key and, click, click, click, dead battery! I tried several more times but nothing. Lights on dash flickering and the light was jumping from park, reverse, N, D, all over! Then finally not even a click anymore and no lights on dash. I called the 800#, held for 20+ minutes and finally talked to someone named Ken. I told him the issue and he told me to press #2 to check battery level. It shows 9.6 volts. He told me my battery is dead and that is the problem. (No **, genius!) When tech installed the device not 24 hours before, he wrote on the service sheet 13.3 volts. So the battery was fine when this was installed.

Then he told me that maybe the cables are loose or my alternator is not charging the battery, that sometimes that is the problem. Funny, no problem before the installation! It kept sounding like I was talking to a robot like this was what he was programmed to tell people. He treated me like I was an idiot. I have been driving for 38 years and I know when something is draining power, it`s not the battery or alternator, but I expect they want me to believe that it`s my fault. From reading some of the other reviews, it seems that is common practice. I called the shop where they installed it and they are closed on Wednesday. I'm glad I didn't take the day off and have the car towed for nothing. I left message on machine for them to call ASAP.

I need this car. I have been paying someone to go out of their way to pick me up for work for 45 days until I could get temp permit. Now, my car won`t work! I have been stressing over this, quite angry with the treatment by customer service, and ruined my day off. I hope I get a better response from the shop tomorrow because it is the device that screwed up my car, and I am not paying for any damage caused by them. I am not patient with people that treat me like a fool and expect me to go along with the **. Yes, it is my fault that I need this in the first place. I am quite aware of my error in judgment, but do not talk down to me. Stay tuned.

The national line is worthless, unless you need a temp. code because you got locked out completely, which I did when a device completely reset itself on me once. Of course, the said code only lasts 6 hours and you only get like 1 in a long or "lifetime" time frame. After having it towed and replaced the next day, the second unit failed shortly thereafter and here we go again. It took a few months to realize I don't call the national line, I call my state line for reimbursement (as I could never get a hold of that person anyway on the national side). To that credit after faxing in receipts and notes (document everything that happens), I'll get reimbursed fairly quickly and almost in full. Another kicker is they only reimburse so much for tows which, of course, is never mentioned until after the fact. I'll lose luckily just a few bucks; I'm more upset of the standard then the few dollar loss. Getting repaired? The shop place has to go through a fair amount to get the codes to lock/unlock the device.

Since my car I had this in was totaled in a recent accident, getting this device out has been a nightmare trying to line it up, get the damn thing removed, and then get rid of the car due to other party's insurance being complete ** about trying to say how much they'll pay for storage where the car is. Luckily, I was smart enough to bring in the head unit and pay for it to "hold"; just need that stupid cord connector out so I don't get charged the $775(?!) for not turning it in. Yikes. As I'm sure it's been said; the blow/hum bit. Get a little off and abort. Blowing for 7+ seconds can be a pain and sometimes tough taking a few times.

Some of your issues may not be with the device itself, but with the morons who work on installing these things at a service center. Again document everything. The place I go to is so-so on the service overall. They were nice to inform me a couple of days before a service check that the equipment they had wasn't working and to go elsewhere. They gave me jack ** though on instructions on how to blow the first time after install (as the video isn't much helpful either). It took me literally like 25 times to figure out the timing and blow enough to go the first time. I really thought I was screwed if this is what I had to go through every time. Luckily, it's not, but again more aggravation.

It's a very sensitive device in picking up stuff. If you drink enough the night before, you may have a little residual if you expect to wake up and jump in the car. Beyond that who knows what else. For that to compare, I have a portable that I document with. I got nailed on a Warn start (still can start and go), then it went Viol (roller check a few minutes later), Warn (on a immediate re-check after reset), Viol again a few minutes later (new roller), Warn (on the immediate re-check), Viol (once again), then Warn again. Finally I hit a spot, shut things down, ate, shopped, then passed a while later. The portable? Read 0s the whole time through. While that shouldn't ding me as is, it's annoying as all get out (and it did hit me with the 50 dollar reset).

Don't expect any of the so-called government officials, be it through the courts or RMV to be of any help in telling you what to expect or need to know. Document everything and ask questions. I have since taken advantage of the car situation above and went with a Drager so I could get back on the road quickly and back to work. It's so much better to use - no hum, easy blow, and then suck back. Amazing. Bye bye, Smart Start!

Second, about an hour and a half ago (7:00AM Friday), I went to start my truck and again it read violation after blowing into it. Beforehand, I had showered, no cologne, brushed my teeth, rinsed ridiculously and went to start my truck and guess what? Violation. Last night I had one Bud Light and a half of a Bud Platinum, went to bed at 11:30 and it wouldn't start at 7:00 this morning. Could there possibly be any alcohol in my system? If there were, is this thing that sensitive? I was told it would read fail if there was alcohol detected, but I've received two violation readings within a couple of days and I read that violation means a high level detection. My girlfriend had to bring me to work at a business I've owned for 14 years and it made her late to her job as a school counselor.

I'm not sure if this thing is randomly super sensitive or randomly super crap, but I'm considering turning in my plates and using a taxi for the next six months. Is there another brand of interlock device that is not as unreliable? I'd rather walk the 13 miles to work than take the chance of not being able to get where I need to be and possibly doing jail time if this keeps happening.

4. The owner told me that he was instructed to ask clients to come back on a different day if they could not pass the device test after an hour. He said he rather not do that because he wanted the money.

8. The paper does not tell what all the testing abbreviations mean. It only lists what a few of them mean.

12. The machine is locked down and I am for sure not going to get the car to start. I was told by calling the 1-800 number, the car has to now be towed back to the service center at my own experience to unlock the device.

I am filing a civil lawsuit against this company!

I called Springdale when I was back in town because six hours were up once again. I was told to call 1880 Smart Start and get code. They wouldn't give me one and said only one will be issued per box. I told them about VA doctor's appointment but neither locations had compassion. I called Springdale, AR back and told computer desk guy I'm going to take out stuff myself and he said okay, just pay $40 when I turn it in. I asked to talk to tech for little guide. I told tech what I was doing and he threw a fit and couldn't figure out how to put me on hold while he chewed out heavy set blonde guy at front desk. My car is still down and I'm out of town again. Smart Start will get your $40 but no recommendations, Lots of complaints.

I have been carpooling to work and haven't driven my car for several weeks. My PO commented last visit that I wasn't driving my car enough times in the month. I asked if I have a quota, and that when I can't start my car, I catch a ride with a coworker. I'm sick of the stress this has caused me. I am ready to sell my car and am wondering if my TDL can be suspended because I choose not to drive until I cannot have to deal with Smart Start anymore. Any suggestions? I went 5 years not driving and have worked hard to get my license back, to own my vehicle legally and have gainful employment.

Now they said I damaged the device today and that I owe $775 to Smart Start to replace the head. I was not given a bill nor was the damage proven. I will not pay a dime to those con artists. I am without a license all because I made the mistake of choosing Smart Start before it was too late. Don't make the same mistake I did if you want your license back.

When I went in for calibration, I tried to show him some paperwork I had and he wouldn't even look at them and all he said, "We're just the installers. Any issues, you got to take them with Smart Start." So I called Smart Start and left a message. A week later at a gas station, I was asked to re-test and I can't pass. I get "abort early, abort hum, abort neg, abort tamper." Until finally I get a message, "lock out mode 05:00" and it starts counting down. So I went home, disconnected the device and called the shop. They said you need to call Smart Start. I waited half an hour, plugged the device and the message is gone and is working properly. I e-mailed Smart Start explaining this issue and never got a response.

Next month, I had my son's birthday party so we decided to have it at a local park so there wouldn't be any alcohol involved. Well guess what, that day I get a violation when I took it to get it calibrated. The tech told me I had a BAC .03. I was shocked. The same month, I got off work and had a side job that afternoon. I ran to the backyard to gather some tools, left my truck running because it takes a long time for the device to initialize and when I came back, I see a message Viol lockout mode 72:00 hrs and it starts counting down immediately. I blew in the device and passed. I called the shop and told me, "You need to bring the device with in that time." I took it in and they told me it was due to not re-testing. When my vehicle was on, I did re-test. I had to pay about $82 for the violation and $84.61 for the calibration.

They gave me a paper where it shows the BAC .03 and it will be mailed to the DMV. I was mad. Now, I’m just waiting for the letter from the DMV. During the month of February, I e-mailed Smart Start two more times trying to address the electrical issues. The device was causing to my truck again. I didn't get no response. I contacted the DMV and explained to them my situation and asked them if I will be penalized for getting the device removed and going with a different company that provides better customer service and has devices that actually work. Their response was, "We received the information when the device was installed but you haven't paid your reinstatement fees so since you still don't have your license, your year with the device hasn't started yet. So you're okay to go to a different company." So these three months have been just a waste of money.

I contacted the California corporate office requesting approval to remove the device and I spoke to a manager Marsha and she said I had to pay $100 to get it removed. The techs at the shop need to get paid. I said I couldn't pay that. The reason why I’m getting it removed is because it's causing problems with my truck and no one is helping me. This three months I've been driving without overdrive so I can't go in the freeway. It takes me a lot longer to get there and I have to pump gas after I've been getting about 12 miles per gallon. She told me there's nothing on her notes about me complaining about any issues with the device. I told her I had the e-mails I sent them so I’m going to send them to her. She's supposed to call me back tomorrow with her decision which I kind of have a feeling what they'll say, "It's not our device. It's your truck. So you need to pay for the removal fee."

When I asked who was going to pay for the repairs to get my truck fixed, she told me I was. They couldn't do anything for me. I've been stressing out with this company and sometimes I get mad at my wife or kids when it's not their fault. I’m not going to pay for the removal. I’m going to remove it myself and mail it to them. If anyone knows about a decent company, please let me know. Thank you very much and don't use Smart Start. They'll rip you off.

Upon going back to the shop to have it hooked up again, the tech said, “Yeah, the hand unit is bad.” Of course, in his description on the violation ticket, he failed to mention that. I now have to go in front of the judge and have no idea of the consequences. If anyone should happen to know, please inform me before 12-15-11. I am debating getting my attorney from my dui who has also sent me a letter on this matter but wants $500 for one day’s services. I cannot afford this right before Christmas but can’t afford any more jail time either.

This company is an absolute scam, as if the pretty license plates, jail time, and fines and costs weren’t enough! I can hardly wait to see what I get for by-passing the interlock for a week until they could schedule me back into their overbooked appointments. The shame of it is through all the problems I’ve had. My suspension was to over in 3 months and I’m sure they will extend it longer and $70 a month until that’s over. Something needs to be done, as I can see I’m not the only one with multiple problems with Smart Start.

However, I did contact Smart Start a week later. I wanted to make sure the machine was continuing to work and spoke with the woman (Robin). I asked that being how it was obvious it was the equipment that was faulty I wanted to be reimbursed for the money I had to spend to keep getting the machine unlocked. She told me it wasn’t obvious and she had to look into it and she’d get back to me in about a week. I waited a month and called her back. She said to hold on and she’d check. Then she said, “Oh, wait a minute. I have it right here on my desk. Let me check it.” Then said no, they’re not going to give me the money cause it wasn’t the machine. They just replaced it as a courtesy to me. I am entitled to this money. I pay my monthly fees for this and do everything I am supposed to for what to be called a liar and treated and talked to so rudely like I’m an idiot. Please, someone needs to look into these people. Why isn’t there anyone overseeing these people so they can t keep ripping us off? The state of Massachusetts is handing them free rein to take advantage of us because they know there is no one to answer to. Please help.

If I go into two or more lockout without just cause and prove I could lose my license for up to 10 years. If Smart Start sends the violations into the registry, they call me in for a hearing. They said if I have a paper from the Smart Start saying it was faulty equipment, I should be ok. But here’s the catch: I told them Smart Start continues every time there’s a problem to refuse to take the fault and they blame me. Yet the technicians agree with me: there’s a problem and Smart Start tells them to stop talking to me. So end result: I will lose my license if this goes to the registry because no one will look into this and monitor them.

Before we left, my husband suggested that I do another blow. I did and it passed me. I still went to police station and paid for a PBT which showed results of 0.00. When I got the actual paperwork that showed times of blows, this is what it showed: initial blow at 9:58PM Bac 0.014, after two minutes, the second blow showed 0.012, then, a third blow before 10:30PM showed Bac 0.007. The time at the police station was 10:51.

On 26 Oct 11, I was on my way to court for a review hearing. The first blow passed and I started my car. I stopped at a local gas station and bought coffee. I returned to my car and the blow passed. Then, I put my car into drive and the system immediately requested me to provide another blow, which I passed again. About 0.5 miles down the road, the system again requested me to provide another blow; this time, it said "warn." I pulled off the side of the road and waited for two minutes. I provided another blow and I passed.

As soon as I arrived at the court house (about 15 minutes after the warn), I requested a PBT in the probation office and showed a result of 0.00. I reported this incident to my probation officer who said nothing regarding the incident, but instead handed me the 9 Oct 11 violation paperwork. I was in the court house for about two hours. I never went to the bathroom nor left the sight of my attorney or my friend who came with me. I pleaded not guilty and proceeded to leave the court house with my attorney and friend. I got into my car and provided my sample and it showed "warn." I immediately showed my friend, who was parked right next to me, what it read. Then, we waited for two minutes before repeating the test and it passed me.

I drove to the police station and paid for another PBT, which showed bac 0.00. On 29 Oct 11, a normal day, I should tell you that my mandatory blow times are between 7-9AM, 5-7PM and 9-11PM. No issues this day that I was aware of. On 30 Oct 11, I provide a blow and I passed. We (my sister, my daughter and I) drove to an AA meeting. (I am going to attend the noon meeting; I am required to attend 3/week). My sister is going to watch my daughter while I am attending the meeting. Around 12:20 to 12:30 I was called out of the meeting because "some girl" wants to talk to me. It was my sister. I asked her what's up and she told me that the system was beeping in my car. I asked her if she turned the car on or did anything to the system and she said no.

I then went out to my car and the system was reading vio/Lock six hours. I immediately turned the car on and provided a blow. I passed, but it continued to read the same as above. By now, people have gathered around my car to see what the problem was. I showed three different people the reading. At the advise of one of the members, I stayed and finished out the meeting. I called and reported the violation to my attorney, Smart Start and my PO. I left the meeting and went straight to police station. I paid for another PBT (results 0.00) and explained the situation to the officer.

Six hours later, my car is in lock out. I couldn't start it without a code from Smart Start. On 31 Oct 11, I received no return call from Smart Start. I called Smart Start to get a code to unlock the car and so I can download the violation and recalibrate the system. In between getting the code and starting my car, I had to have my car jump started twice. Not to mention, on the way to download, my car shut off and I pulled off to the side of the off ramp. At first, I couldn't start the car, then it started. At the place, where the service is provided, I was instructed during my download to call Steve from Smart Start.

In talking with Steve, he told me that my violation started on Saturday night, not Sunday afternoon. Also, the viol/Lock started to count down 24 hours and not just six hours. In addition, I did not provide a 9-11PM blow. I didn't provide a clean sample until 7:18AM of Sunday morning. It also showed that the system was disconnected and reconnected at 7:17AM. I have never disconnected the system unless directed by Smart Start. When I called Smart Start to get a code, Kelly instructed me to disconnect the head. I had to ask her what that even was. Of course, Smart System was operating at maximum status and all the issues were due to my car.

Let me also add that I replaced my battery ($150.00) about a week or plus ago. I also reported this craziness to my attorney and PO. Moving on, on 1 Nov 11, around 1-1:30PM, I was headed to a doctor's appointment. I provided a blow to start the car and it said "fail." I waited for 15 minutes per directions and provided another blow. Again, it said, "fail." I waited for another 15 minutes. This time, I got into another car and drove to the police station (about 10 minutes from our home). I paid for PBT--results 0.00. I drove back home and provided another blow into my car--"fail" again. I drove back to the police station and paid again for PBT (results 0.00). I drove home again to provide yet another blow into my car and finally passed.

Today, 3 Nov 11, I have my court hearing for the 9 Oct 11 violation. This is what happens. PO recommends three days jail if I plead guilty. Or a hearing in front of a judge with the expert witness, Steve, from Smart Start testifying about results. We are told that he is going to testify that the blow results are consistent with the intake of alcohol. Also, that they have never had a false positive on any of their equipment. If I go this route, I take whatever the judge sends down.

My attorney asks for more time to obtain an expert witness from another company to testify on our behalf. We are also asking the police officers to come and testify on my behalf. I have almost three full pages, for one month, I paid twice a day for PBT's just in case I blew numbers on their system. I also have a letter from the chief of police stating that he witnessed the warn on my system immediately after providing a PBT directly in front of him. None is good enough.

The court will not even address the violations that occurred after the 9 Oct 11 violation. In short, I will have to serve three days of jail time before I even get the rest of the violations that have sufficient information for my case. I am begging any and everyone to help me. If you know of anyone or have this problem or have had this problem, please contact me. I need this before 10 Nov 11. We must stop this insanity that Smart Start is allowed to cause upon us. Also, if anyone knows of another system that I could try, to show that Smart Start's system is not infallible as they preach, call me.

Before we left, my husband suggested that I do another blow. I did and it passed me. I still went to police station and paid for a PBT which showed results of 0.00. When I got the actual paperwork that showed times of blows, this is what it showed: initial blow at 9:58PM Bac 0.014, after two minutes, the second blow showed 0.012, then, a third blow before 10:30PM showed Bac 0.007. The time at the police station was 10:51.

On 26 Oct 11, I was on my way to court for a review hearing. The first blow passed and I started my car. I stopped at a local gas station and bought coffee. I returned to my car and the blow passed. Then, I put my car into drive and the system immediately requested me to provide another blow, which I passed again. About 0.5 miles down the road, the system again requested me to provide another blow; this time, it said "warn." I pulled off the side of the road and waited for two minutes. I provided another blow and I passed.

As soon as I arrived at the court house (about 15 minutes after the warn), I requested a PBT in the probation office and showed a result of 0.00. I reported this incident to my probation officer who said nothing regarding the incident, but instead handed me the 9 Oct 11 violation paperwork. I was in the court house for about two hours. I never went to the bathroom nor left the sight of my attorney or my friend who came with me. I pleaded not guilty and proceeded to leave the court house with my attorney and friend. I got into my car and provided my sample and it showed "warn." I immediately showed my friend, who was parked right next to me, what it read. Then, we waited for two minutes before repeating the test and it passed me.

I drove to the police station and paid for another PBT, which showed bac 0.00. On 29 Oct 11, a normal day, I should tell you that my mandatory blow times are between 7-9AM, 5-7PM and 9-11PM. No issues this day that I was aware of. On 30 Oct 11, I provide a blow and I passed. We (my sister, my daughter and I) drove to an AA meeting. (I am going to attend the noon meeting; I am required to attend 3/week). My sister is going to watch my daughter while I am attending the meeting. Around 12:20 to 12:30 I was called out of the meeting because "some girl" wants to talk to me. It was my sister. I asked her what's up and she told me that the system was beeping in my car. I asked her if she turned the car on or did anything to the system and she said no.

I then went out to my car and the system was reading vio/Lock six hours. I immediately turned the car on and provided a blow. I passed, but it continued to read the same as above. By now, people have gathered around my car to see what the problem was. I showed three different people the reading. At the advise of one of the members, I stayed and finished out the meeting. I called and reported the violation to my attorney, Smart Start and my PO. I left the meeting and went straight to police station. I paid for another PBT (results 0.00) and explained the situation to the officer.

Six hours later, my car is in lock out. I couldn't start it without a code from Smart Start. On 31 Oct 11, I received no return call from Smart Start. I called Smart Start to get a code to unlock the car and so I can download the violation and recalibrate the system. In between getting the code and starting my car, I had to have my car jump started twice. Not to mention, on the way to download, my car shut off and I pulled off to the side of the off ramp. At first, I couldn't start the car, then it started. At the place, where the service is provided, I was instructed during my download to call Steve from Smart Start.

In talking with Steve, he told me that my violation started on Saturday night, not Sunday afternoon. Also, the viol/Lock started to count down 24 hours and not just six hours. In addition, I did not provide a 9-11PM blow. I didn't provide a clean sample until 7:18AM of Sunday morning. It also showed that the system was disconnected and reconnected at 7:17AM. I have never disconnected the system unless directed by Smart Start. When I called Smart Start to get a code, Kelly instructed me to disconnect the head. I had to ask her what that even was. Of course, Smart System was operating at maximum status and all the issues were due to my car.

Let me also add that I replaced my battery ($150.00) about a week or plus ago. I also reported this craziness to my attorney and PO. Moving on, on 1 Nov 11, around 1-1:30PM, I was headed to a doctor's appointment. I provided a blow to start the car and it said "fail." I waited for 15 minutes per directions and provided another blow. Again, it said, "fail." I waited for another 15 minutes. This time, I got into another car and drove to the police station (about 10 minutes from our home). I paid for PBT--results 0.00. I drove back home and provided another blow into my car--"fail" again. I drove back to the police station and paid again for PBT (results 0.00). I drove home again to provide yet another blow into my car and finally passed.

Today, 3 Nov 11, I have my court hearing for the 9 Oct 11 violation. This is what happens. PO recommends three days jail if I plead guilty. Or a hearing in front of a judge with the expert witness, Steve, from Smart Start testifying about results. We are told that he is going to testify that the blow results are consistent with the intake of alcohol. Also, that they have never had a false positive on any of their equipment. If I go this route, I take whatever the judge sends down.

My attorney asks for more time to obtain an expert witness from another company to testify on our behalf. We are also asking the police officers to come and testify on my behalf. I have almost three full pages, for one month, I paid twice a day for PBT's just in case I blew numbers on their system. I also have a letter from the chief of police stating that he witnessed the warn on my system immediately after providing a PBT directly in front of him. None is good enough.

The court will not even address the violations that occurred after the 9 Oct 11 violation. In short, I will have to serve three days of jail time before I even get the rest of the violations that have sufficient information for my case. I am begging any and everyone to help me. If you know of anyone or have this problem or have had this problem, please contact me. I need this before 10 Nov 11. We must stop this insanity that Smart Start is allowed to cause upon us. Also, if anyone knows of another system that I could try, to show that Smart Start's system is not infallible as they preach, call me.

Before we left, my husband suggested that I do another blow. I did and it passed me. I still went to police station and paid for a PBT which showed results of 0.00. When I got the actual paperwork that showed times of blows, this is what it showed: initial blow at 9:58PM Bac 0.014, after two minutes, the second blow showed 0.012, then, a third blow before 10:30PM showed Bac 0.007. The time at the police station was 10:51.

On 26 Oct 11, I was on my way to court for a review hearing. The first blow passed and I started my car. I stopped at a local gas station and bought coffee. I returned to my car and the blow passed. Then, I put my car into drive and the system immediately requested me to provide another blow, which I passed again. About 0.5 miles down the road, the system again requested me to provide another blow; this time, it said "warn." I pulled off the side of the road and waited for two minutes. I provided another blow and I passed.

As soon as I arrived at the court house (about 15 minutes after the warn), I requested a PBT in the probation office and showed a result of 0.00. I reported this incident to my probation officer who said nothing regarding the incident, but instead handed me the 9 Oct 11 violation paperwork. I was in the court house for about two hours. I never went to the bathroom nor left the sight of my attorney or my friend who came with me. I pleaded not guilty and proceeded to leave the court house with my attorney and friend. I got into my car and provided my sample and it showed "warn." I immediately showed my friend, who was parked right next to me, what it read. Then, we waited for two minutes before repeating the test and it passed me.

I drove to the police station and paid for another PBT, which showed bac 0.00. On 29 Oct 11, a normal day, I should tell you that my mandatory blow times are between 7-9AM, 5-7PM and 9-11PM. No issues this day that I was aware of. On 30 Oct 11, I provide a blow and I passed. We (my sister, my daughter and I) drove to an AA meeting. (I am going to attend the noon meeting; I am required to attend 3/week). My sister is going to watch my daughter while I am attending the meeting. Around 12:20 to 12:30 I was called out of the meeting because "some girl" wants to talk to me. It was my sister. I asked her what's up and she told me that the system was beeping in my car. I asked her if she turned the car on or did anything to the system and she said no.

I then went out to my car and the system was reading vio/Lock six hours. I immediately turned the car on and provided a blow. I passed, but it continued to read the same as above. By now, people have gathered around my car to see what the problem was. I showed three different people the reading. At the advise of one of the members, I stayed and finished out the meeting. I called and reported the violation to my attorney, Smart Start and my PO. I left the meeting and went straight to police station. I paid for another PBT (results 0.00) and explained the situation to the officer.

Six hours later, my car is in lock out. I couldn't start it without a code from Smart Start. On 31 Oct 11, I received no return call from Smart Start. I called Smart Start to get a code to unlock the car and so I can download the violation and recalibrate the system. In between getting the code and starting my car, I had to have my car jump started twice. Not to mention, on the way to download, my car shut off and I pulled off to the side of the off ramp. At first, I couldn't start the car, then it started. At the place, where the service is provided, I was instructed during my download to call Steve from Smart Start.

In talking with Steve, he told me that my violation started on Saturday night, not Sunday afternoon. Also, the viol/Lock started to count down 24 hours and not just six hours. In addition, I did not provide a 9-11PM blow. I didn't provide a clean sample until 7:18AM of Sunday morning. It also showed that the system was disconnected and reconnected at 7:17AM. I have never disconnected the system unless directed by Smart Start. When I called Smart Start to get a code, Kelly instructed me to disconnect the head. I had to ask her what that even was. Of course, Smart System was operating at maximum status and all the issues were due to my car.

Let me also add that I replaced my battery ($150.00) about a week or plus ago. I also reported this craziness to my attorney and PO. Moving on, on 1 Nov 11, around 1-1:30PM, I was headed to a doctor's appointment. I provided a blow to start the car and it said "fail." I waited for 15 minutes per directions and provided another blow. Again, it said, "fail." I waited for another 15 minutes. This time, I got into another car and drove to the police station (about 10 minutes from our home). I paid for PBT--results 0.00. I drove back home and provided another blow into my car--"fail" again. I drove back to the police station and paid again for PBT (results 0.00). I drove home again to provide yet another blow into my car and finally passed.

Today, 3 Nov 11, I have my court hearing for the 9 Oct 11 violation. This is what happens. PO recommends three days jail if I plead guilty. Or a hearing in front of a judge with the expert witness, Steve, from Smart Start testifying about results. We are told that he is going to testify that the blow results are consistent with the intake of alcohol. Also, that they have never had a false positive on any of their equipment. If I go this route, I take whatever the judge sends down.

My attorney asks for more time to obtain an expert witness from another company to testify on our behalf. We are also asking the police officers to come and testify on my behalf. I have almost three full pages, for one month, I paid twice a day for PBT's just in case I blew numbers on their system. I also have a letter from the chief of police stating that he witnessed the warn on my system immediately after providing a PBT directly in front of him. None is good enough.

The court will not even address the violations that occurred after the 9 Oct 11 violation. In short, I will have to serve three days of jail time before I even get the rest of the violations that have sufficient information for my case. I am begging any and everyone to help me. If you know of anyone or have this problem or have had this problem, please contact me. I need this before 10 Nov 11. We must stop this insanity that Smart Start is allowed to cause upon us. Also, if anyone knows of another system that I could try, to show that Smart Start's system is not infallible as they preach, call me.

Before we left, my husband suggested that I do another blow. I did and it passed me. I still went to police station and paid for a PBT which showed results of 0.00. When I got the actual paperwork that showed times of blows, this is what it showed: initial blow at 9:58PM Bac 0.014, after two minutes, the second blow showed 0.012, then, a third blow before 10:30PM showed Bac 0.007. The time at the police station was 10:51.

On 26 Oct 11, I was on my way to court for a review hearing. The first blow passed and I started my car. I stopped at a local gas station and bought coffee. I returned to my car and the blow passed. Then, I put my car into drive and the system immediately requested me to provide another blow, which I passed again. About 0.5 miles down the road, the system again requested me to provide another blow; this time, it said "warn." I pulled off the side of the road and waited for two minutes. I provided another blow and I passed.

As soon as I arrived at the court house (about 15 minutes after the warn), I requested a PBT in the probation office and showed a result of 0.00. I reported this incident to my probation officer who said nothing regarding the incident, but instead handed me the 9 Oct 11 violation paperwork. I was in the court house for about two hours. I never went to the bathroom nor left the sight of my attorney or my friend who came with me. I pleaded not guilty and proceeded to leave the court house with my attorney and friend. I got into my car and provided my sample and it showed "warn." I immediately showed my friend, who was parked right next to me, what it read. Then, we waited for two minutes before repeating the test and it passed me.

I drove to the police station and paid for another PBT, which showed bac 0.00. On 29 Oct 11, a normal day, I should tell you that my mandatory blow times are between 7-9AM, 5-7PM and 9-11PM. No issues this day that I was aware of. On 30 Oct 11, I provide a blow and I passed. We (my sister, my daughter and I) drove to an AA meeting. (I am going to attend the noon meeting; I am required to attend 3/week). My sister is going to watch my daughter while I am attending the meeting. Around 12:20 to 12:30 I was called out of the meeting because "some girl" wants to talk to me. It was my sister. I asked her what's up and she told me that the system was beeping in my car. I asked her if she turned the car on or did anything to the system and she said no.

I then went out to my car and the system was reading vio/Lock six hours. I immediately turned the car on and provided a blow. I passed, but it continued to read the same as above. By now, people have gathered around my car to see what the problem was. I showed three different people the reading. At the advise of one of the members, I stayed and finished out the meeting. I called and reported the violation to my attorney, Smart Start and my PO. I left the meeting and went straight to police station. I paid for another PBT (results 0.00) and explained the situation to the officer.

Six hours later, my car is in lock out. I couldn't start it without a code from Smart Start. On 31 Oct 11, I received no return call from Smart Start. I called Smart Start to get a code to unlock the car and so I can download the violation and recalibrate the system. In between getting the code and starting my car, I had to have my car jump started twice. Not to mention, on the way to download, my car shut off and I pulled off to the side of the off ramp. At first, I couldn't start the car, then it started. At the place, where the service is provided, I was instructed during my download to call Steve from Smart Start.

In talking with Steve, he told me that my violation started on Saturday night, not Sunday afternoon. Also, the viol/Lock started to count down 24 hours and not just six hours. In addition, I did not provide a 9-11PM blow. I didn't provide a clean sample until 7:18AM of Sunday morning. It also showed that the system was disconnected and reconnected at 7:17AM. I have never disconnected the system unless directed by Smart Start. When I called Smart Start to get a code, Kelly instructed me to disconnect the head. I had to ask her what that even was. Of course, Smart System was operating at maximum status and all the issues were due to my car.

Let me also add that I replaced my battery ($150.00) about a week or plus ago. I also reported this craziness to my attorney and PO. Moving on, on 1 Nov 11, around 1-1:30PM, I was headed to a doctor's appointment. I provided a blow to start the car and it said "fail." I waited for 15 minutes per directions and provided another blow. Again, it said, "fail." I waited for another 15 minutes. This time, I got into another car and drove to the police station (about 10 minutes from our home). I paid for PBT--results 0.00. I drove back home and provided another blow into my car--"fail" again. I drove back to the police station and paid again for PBT (results 0.00). I drove home again to provide yet another blow into my car and finally passed.

Today, 3 Nov 11, I have my court hearing for the 9 Oct 11 violation. This is what happens. PO recommends three days jail if I plead guilty. Or a hearing in front of a judge with the expert witness, Steve, from Smart Start testifying about results. We are told that he is going to testify that the blow results are consistent with the intake of alcohol. Also, that they have never had a false positive on any of their equipment. If I go this route, I take whatever the judge sends down.

My attorney asks for more time to obtain an expert witness from another company to testify on our behalf. We are also asking the police officers to come and testify on my behalf. I have almost three full pages, for one month, I paid twice a day for PBT's just in case I blew numbers on their system. I also have a letter from the chief of police stating that he witnessed the warn on my system immediately after providing a PBT directly in front of him. None is good enough.

The court will not even address the violations that occurred after the 9 Oct 11 violation. In short, I will have to serve three days of jail time before I even get the rest of the violations that have sufficient information for my case. I am begging any and everyone to help me. If you know of anyone or have this problem or have had this problem, please contact me. I need this before 10 Nov 11. We must stop this insanity that Smart Start is allowed to cause upon us. Also, if anyone knows of another system that I could try, to show that Smart Start's system is not infallible, but as any machine, can be faulty, call me.

Before we left, my husband suggested that I do another blow. I did and it passed me. I still went to police station and paid for a PBT which showed results of 0.00. When I got the actual paperwork that showed times of blows, this is what it showed: initial blow at 9:58PM Bac 0.014, after two minutes, the second blow showed 0.012, then, a third blow before 10:30PM showed Bac 0.007. The time at the police station was 10:51.

On 26 Oct 11, I was on my way to court for a review hearing. The first blow passed and I started my car. I stopped at a local gas station and bought coffee. I returned to my car and the blow passed. Then, I put my car into drive and the system immediately requested me to provide another blow, which I passed again. About 0.5 miles down the road, the system again requested me to provide another blow; this time, it said "warn." I pulled off the side of the road and waited for two minutes. I provided another blow and I passed.

As soon as I arrived at the court house (about 15 minutes after the warn), I requested a PBT in the probation office and showed a result of 0.00. I reported this incident to my probation officer who said nothing regarding the incident, but instead handed me the 9 Oct 11 violation paperwork. I was in the court house for about two hours. I never went to the bathroom nor left the sight of my attorney or my friend who came with me. I pleaded not guilty and proceeded to leave the court house with my attorney and friend. I got into my car and provided my sample and it showed "warn." I immediately showed my friend, who was parked right next to me, what it read. Then, we waited for two minutes before repeating the test and it passed me.

I drove to the police station and paid for another PBT, which showed bac 0.00. On 29 Oct 11, a normal day, I should tell you that my mandatory blow times are between 7-9AM, 5-7PM and 9-11PM. No issues this day that I was aware of. On 30 Oct 11, I provide a blow and I passed. We (my sister, my daughter and I) drove to an AA meeting. (I am going to attend the noon meeting; I am required to attend 3/week). My sister is going to watch my daughter while I am attending the meeting. Around 12:20 to 12:30 I was called out of the meeting because "some girl" wants to talk to me. It was my sister. I asked her what's up and she told me that the system was beeping in my car. I asked her if she turned the car on or did anything to the system and she said no.

I then went out to my car and the system was reading vio/Lock six hours. I immediately turned the car on and provided a blow. I passed, but it continued to read the same as above. By now, people have gathered around my car to see what the problem was. I showed three different people the reading. At the advise of one of the members, I stayed and finished out the meeting. I called and reported the violation to my attorney, Smart Start and my PO. I left the meeting and went straight to police station. I paid for another PBT (results 0.00) and explained the situation to the officer.

Six hours later, my car is in lock out. I couldn't start it without a code from Smart Start. On 31 Oct 11, I received no return call from Smart Start. I called Smart Start to get a code to unlock the car and so I can download the violation and recalibrate the system. In between getting the code and starting my car, I had to have my car jump started twice. Not to mention, on the way to download, my car shut off and I pulled off to the side of the off ramp. At first, I couldn't start the car, then it started. At the place, where the service is provided, I was instructed during my download to call Steve from Smart Start.

In talking with Steve, he told me that my violation started on Saturday night, not Sunday afternoon. Also, the viol/Lock started to count down 24 hours and not just six hours. In addition, I did not provide a 9-11PM blow. I didn't provide a clean sample until 7:18AM of Sunday morning. It also showed that the system was disconnected and reconnected at 7:17AM. I have never disconnected the system unless directed by Smart Start. When I called Smart Start to get a code, Kelly instructed me to disconnect the head. I had to ask her what that even was. Of course, Smart System was operating at maximum status and all the issues were due to my car.

Let me also add that I replaced my battery ($150.00) about a week or plus ago. I also reported this craziness to my attorney and PO. Moving on, on 1 Nov 11, around 1-1:30PM, I was headed to a doctor's appointment. I provided a blow to start the car and it said "fail." I waited for 15 minutes per directions and provided another blow. Again, it said, "fail." I waited for another 15 minutes. This time, I got into another car and drove to the police station (about 10 minutes from our home). I paid for PBT--results 0.00. I drove back home and provided another blow into my car--"fail" again. I drove back to the police station and paid again for PBT (results 0.00). I drove home again to provide yet another blow into my car and finally passed.

Today, 3 Nov 11, I have my court hearing for the 9 Oct 11 violation. This is what happens. PO recommends three days jail if I plead guilty. Or a hearing in front of a judge with the expert witness, Steve, from Smart Start testifying about results. We are told that he is going to testify that the blow results are consistent with the intake of alcohol. Also, that they have never had a false positive on any of their equipment. If I go this route, I take whatever the judge sends down.

My attorney asks for more time to obtain an expert witness from another company to testify on our behalf. We are also asking the police officers to come and testify on my behalf. I have almost three full pages, for one month, I paid twice a day for PBT's just in case I blew numbers on their system. I also have a letter from the chief of police stating that he witnessed the warn on my system immediately after providing a PBT directly in front of him. None is good enough.

The court will not even address the violations that occurred after the 9 Oct 11 violation. In short, I will have to serve three days of jail time before I even get the rest of the violations that have sufficient information for my case. I am begging any and everyone to help me. If you know of anyone or have this problem or have had this problem, please contact me. I need this before 10 Nov 11. We must stop this insanity that Smart Start is allowed to cause upon us. Also, if anyone knows of another system that I could try, to show that Smart Start's system is not infallible, but as any machine, can be faulty, call me.

I wonder what type liability insurance Smart Start might have. When accidents are caused from frantic users trying their best to use this POS, if any law makers are reading this information please contact me at **. I would climb aboard any class action suit to put these frauds down. I can also provide plenty of insight on how the $20 installation "technicians" are cutting up $50,000 vehicles. My installation included the free service of wrapping the cord around my brake pedal, and I thought Larry, MO and Curly were no longer with us. I miss my calling of inventing a product that works sometimes and when it fails I get to charge more when customers are required to keep it installed longer.

When I called our DMV in Michigan and finally spoke to someone, I had to request a hearing to decide whether or not I can get my work/restricted license back. The person I spoke to told me the state is getting over one thousand reported violations monthly, and most are not alcohol related. Good job Smart Start, lean on taxpayers to pay for the garbage you put on the field. The only thing more hypocritical will be when I discover it was invented by a corrupt law maker. I was wondering are there any youtubes out there showing how this POS works or better yet doesn't. Maybe, it's time to start shooting some video and taking to our Attorney Generals to show what a piece of junk this things really is. As morbid as it might seem, I would like to see a video of an intoxicated person blow through one these things, let me guess "abort hum". On that thought I have something that the makers of this POS can "abort hum" on, pass.

I transferred it to a different vehicle when they took it out of the Pontiac and the remote starter wouldn't work. They refused to fix that. I have had this head unit replaced twice, and now, it has gotten worse than ever. It interrupts the blow sometimes. It aborts the hum early continuously. It's not initializing properly. It doesn't let me see my appointment dates and violations. When I plug it in, it lights up and there's no initializing. It takes up to 2 minutes, then goes to the wait ##### and sometimes, the wait ##### goes on twice then blows.

On occasions, I hear a crackling like my radio is on and it isn't. So, the result this time was that I called Smart Start because the shop that recalibrates it said it could be the logger box, which Smart Start said there's nothing wrong with, but it's me. I went back and forth with them and then I called back the next day and they agreed for me to take it to the shop to have it checked. They said they have them call Smart Start. When I got there and when I was going in, I said that within the hour, I got to the shop wherein he immediately put it on the recalibration machine (usually he has me call them and have them talk to him to tell him it's ok to do it).

I believe they called him prior to my arrival and then they said, "Nope, nothing's wrong." I had to have him train me again to do the technique. He showed me once and had me do it once and told me, "All set. Try to see how it works, and if it doesn't, come back." Keep in mind, I have already been doing this regularly for almost 1 year. So, I went on my way and drove it for the rest of the day and not one problem. It makes you go, "Hm huh."

I feel this truly needs to be looked into. I am doing everything and then some to do everything by the book and am in no way trying to get out of my obligations, however, they are making it very difficult. I am getting violations and missing tests that are not true. There is more, just too much to go into. I think you can get the picture. It goes along with a lot of these others. I thought it was just me but the more people I talk to and stories I see online, the more I know not the I'm not the only one. I am all for doing something to stop people from drinking and driving but someone needs to look into this and work out the quirks before they make this mandatory.

The problem I've had with it is that, since having it installed in February 2011, it randomly goes into the 2-minute restart mode. I called the techs and was told it may be my battery. My mechanic says nothing is wrong with my battery. So, I've been unplugging the thing. Whenever it goes into restart as I'm driving, I unplug it.

I've told them I do this and have not been violated. Today, I went out to start my car and the device was stuck on "wait####". I was instructed by two different techs to turn it off, turn it on, unplug it, blah, and blah, blah. They even had me unhook the negative wire to my battery. Nope. Stranded.

So then they gave me the number to headquarters in Massachusetts. The gentleman was very nice and decided I needed the car towed to a service garage. I made it very clear that I was not paying a penny for this. So they're sending over a tow truck. The device is a piece of poo.

But be nice to the people who you have to deal with, because they're not the ones mandating stupid laws, drinking and driving or building cheap **. If we weren't drunken retards, the government wouldn't have to step in and make life harder for us.

P.S. The owner of the shop where I have mine calibrated every month has quickly become one of my favorite people. There are blessings in disguise.

I called the Smart Start company and of course, I got the same ** people I have to deal with all the time there. I'm wrong and she's right, I must have been drinking, then sobered up in 5 minutes, must be magic! So I decided to talk to a tech the second time it happened and he finally told me that certain foods such as ice cream, bread, other products and even medical problems can set these machines off. Their customer service is NO service whatsoever! This machine is costing me 150.00 dollars a month and I'm supposed to have it for a year. Total cost of 1800.00. I also have to take it everywhere I go because I have to blow into it three times a day at certain times.

So if you plan on dating or even going on a date, plan on taking this machine with you and good luck on the call back (or even have to explain having to take this faulty machine with you everywhere!). I am always getting a message that says "Tampering" or "Camera error", "Abort Early", "Abort Neg" or other messages. I have also had it say "Missed Test" before and that was also a violation. Also, this machine has to be plugged in to make sure your power doesn't go out like I have had three times this summer due to the extreme heat we have had in Michigan this summer. If you cannot plug it in, then you cannot use the machine. Three more violations to add to!

The judge is going to love this! I called Smart Start and they of course have nothing to say but call your probation officer, which I must say was very understanding but my judge is NOT at all! I have a feeling I am going to be in violation tomorrow and have to serve 84 days in jail and of course, there goes a semester of classes that I have already payed for and signed up for! Of course, the dorm room was already payed for as well so I don't know if I would get the money back for that. But I'm sure that Smart Start won't pay for it! This machine is junk!

If anyone wants to start a lawsuit, please let me know ASAP. Please other people, post about the In-Home Device if you have it. I would love to hear that I'm not the only one with this problem.

In fact, just last night, the device read a "violation" and he couldn't start his truck. After calling the 800 number, he was told to try again. Finally he was able to get the truck started but went directly to our local police station to take a voluntary breathalyzer test to prove to Start Smart and the Registry of Motor Vehicles that he wasn't drinking. Of course he got all zeros on the test.

When he went to have the device re-calibrated, the employee of Smart Start said that if my husband weren't drinking (my husband mentioned he went to the police department), it must have been something from the air!

Are you kidding me? These people are nuts! This company is running a scam! Just last June, with all the so-called missed rolling tests and lockouts due to faulty equipment, we paid over $650 to Smart Start for recalibration costs. How can the Registry of Motor Vehicles insist that Smart Start be used and the consumer is getting ripped off? I think it's time to bring this to the Attorney General's office. This has got to stop!

The hand-held device has been replaced 5 times in 3 months, the under-dash unit, twice, yet none of them work. He keeps getting the ABRT command, and has to keep blowing. Even the company who paid to install the units thinks, the units are junk. I went to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and saw that no one else had. Why haven't there been a ton of complaints there? The consequences: anxiety and the cost of these units.

I go up for review in July. I hope this doesn't count against me because the machine is faulty.

Their advice when you call service tech is to bang the device on something hard. Sounds like a quality piece of equipment there! Then they act like the customer has done something wrong when they call to say it’s not working. When I called service center where I had device installed, they said to bring it in. That is over an hour drive from here and I have already done that twice to have other bad devices changed! I am fed up with this company. One evening while driving a good distance, I was probably on my 5th or 6th rolling retest on my way to LA area, when device instead of saying "wait" after my test it just started counting down. I called Smart Start right away and being late at night the employee told me no one could help me or even answer my question until morning! 24/7 customer service is advertised on their website and holding messages when you call.

Needless to say the device counted down all the way to a "lockout" that night. Next day I went to the service place. No one at Smart Start answered so technician told me to pay $50 lockout and have credited back. I did and when Smart Start called me instead of apologizing for huge inconvenience and immeasurable amount of stress and anxiety, employee accused me of drinking while driving! She said she couldn’t credit $ for lockout because there were violations! I was shocked considering just moments before this device started acting up I gave a passing breath then just moments after "fail" it passed? Incredible! Upon further investigation the "violations" had a BAC of .000(zero alcohol), I get another call from same employee and still no apology now for inconvenience and stress but for calling me a liar! Unbelievable! They ended up crediting $50 back but it was a huge deal. And now this is less than 3 weeks later and they expect me to "find a ride" to have this thing exchanged? I have done enough. It’s time for them to except some of the responsibility for this horrible device!

Okay, no one feels sorry for drunk drivers, that is a given. And Smart Start apparently relies on this to keep going on with their 25-year old devices and their total dismissal of any complaints.

Enough, is enough. I'm not taking it anymore. Anyone interested in starting a class action suit, please contact me. I've got facts and all my paperwork. I also have to drive 75 miles, one way, to the installer for any kind of service.

If these were serious incidences of fault, after each monthly reading, I should have had to report to the RMV in MA for a discussion regarding these six failures which has never occurred. I feel this is a money making scheme to make people pay extra money to put into their pockets with no questions answered except: You failed, you pay. They will not even show the monthly print-out from the device, which in my case would show that each of the six times the device failed me, I passed immediately within a few minutes after failing.

Apparently, after researching this online, many people have had this same experience. It makes me furious that these companies continue to take advantage of an already bad situation. This should be looked into because many people like me are being taken advantage of.

Later that month (I don't know the exact date but it will be part of Smart's records), I had a dead battery and jump started the truck and later replaced the battery with a new one. Things got funny. One day I blew clean at 6am, started the truck and then failed 5 retests in a row, finally passing and then it worked fine for the rest of the day. Again, I had the head replaced.

About a month ago, I left my lights on and once again had a dead battery but could not get it to jump start from another car. I called the Smart technician and was advised to always remove the head when working on the electrical system. It's good advise, it should have been part the original instructions. For the next few weeks, the display would turn off and now, misspell words. Sometimes I could shake to keep it working. Sometimes it just wouldn't light back up. All service stations were on back order for new heads, all I could do was get it re-calibrated.

On Sept. 20th, 2010 at 4pm, I blew a clean start. The unit went off while I was driving. When I got it back on, I failed 5 retests in a row. This would mean that as soon as I got behind the wheel, I began drinking heavily. I have problems, but stupidity is not one of them. I called the Smart help line and was advised to get the unit serviced.

Unfortunately, by that time the shop was closed. I was able to get the head replaced the following day but the report generated said that I had failed repeated rolling retests and that at some point, I had also bypassed the interlock to start the truck, push started it I guess, which I never did. I called Smart's California office and they are inclined to believe their data rather then me. In all likelihood within the next few days, a report will be released to the courts and a warrant for my arrest will be issued . I believe I damaged the head when jump starting the truck. Help!

Smart Start acknowledged that it was an equipment malfunction. Smart Start directed me to go from Grass Valley to Auburn for a new unit. The Auburn Service Center had a software malfunction. They told me to come back in the morning. (More than 90 miles from my home) Ultimately the Auburn location was not able to install a new "head unit" so Smart Start directed me to take the unit and return to the Grass Valley Service Center to get the new unit installed. The Grass Valley Service Center, TUNZ 4 U, kept me waiting 5 hours before they installed the new unit that I had brought from the Auburn Service Center, despite being advised by Smart Start that I was coming in to have the job done.

This all occurred beginning on 7/27/10 and ending on 7/28/10. After the "new" 20-20 unit was finally installed in Grass Valley, it worked just fine until last Monday, 8/9/10 when I drove my Grandson and his girlfriend into the local store, and the unit completely malfunctioned again. Just like had happened on July 27, the unit would not work. All I got was "abort early", over and over and ober. I watched the 6 minute clock tick down, blowing my lungs out, and the unit would not accept anything. And I got "Missed Test" 4 times. My Grandsons girl friend somehow got it to work, and we drove home and I called Smart Start, spoke with Sara,and told her what happened and said...I am done with this company.

I had a regular service appt on Thursday (tomorrow) But Sara told me to disconnect the head piece and take it in the house with me. Well guess what? Once I took the head piece back out and connected it, now the system is working perfectly every time. If the company knows that removing the head piece would make it work better, why did they not tell me that 2 months ago? Finally, I have to say do not use smart start if you need an ID. I am going to sue them to get out of my contract and I am going to try another company.

I called Smart Start regarding changing companies and felt like I was locked down. After missing two classes from school from waiting for the tow truck and being at the shop I was told by the shop that it would take a few days to get another device in. I told them I had work and school and couldn't wait, so they installed an older model for me and then said they would replace it to the new model and when they got it.

I called Smart Start about the incident and was giving the California Corporate number. When I called it, it was a message giving me about two other numbers. One of them directed me to the number I had called in the first place and another for after hours technical assistance. If neither one of those numbers pertained to my problem I could leave a message; months later I have not received a call back.

Then, a few days after installing the new (older version) model, I went to the gas station and could not start my vehicle. The device kept aborting the procedure so I called Smart Start and it said that their after hours was closed and was given their "after hours" technical support number. When I called the number, it was a message telling me to call another number and telling me not to leave a message for it would not be checked. I called the number that I was given and did not receive and answer; however this one did give me the option to leave a message and was told my call would be returned. After an hour of being at the gas station at midnight, numerous calls to their "after hours" technical support, three not returned messages, and unsuccessful attempts of starting my car, I gave up and called a tow truck. I towed the car to my house and waited until the next morning. The next morning, I tried to turn my car on and it worked. I called Smart Start to see if they would refund my money for the tow but they said it was me who did not do the procedure correctly...even though I had been doing it for months already. Again, the towing costs bills were mine to pay alone. I called the California Corporate number again and left another message. Waited a few days and called again and left another message. Never received a call back.

After having the older model in my car for about a month, I ran into an incident at work where I was almost robbed because the older model takes longer to start than the newer one. I work at nights and sometimes in secluded areas, which is where the incident happened. I called Smart Start to see if I could get the old model put back in and was told to call California Corporate. I called and again left a message but this time I was more demanding. I finally received a call back and was told they would contact the shop to see what had happened and that they would call me back within two days. I have not received a call back. The shop wants to charge me to put the newer model back in. They want to charge me more than it cost me put it in the first time.

I get the runaround with this company and no responses even though their website says "24/7 service." Also, when the first incident mentioned occurred, I was so angry that I called Smart Start to remove the device to go with another company. I was told I could not do that because I was court mandated and needed an ID140. That part got me mad, but I understand why they do that. So I went down to the courthouse's misdemeanor department and told them I needed an ID140 and they didn't know what I was talking about. I called Smart Start back and told them they didn't know what that was and they told me to talk to my probation officer. I explained that I do not have one, and then was told by them that I need to find out who to talk to. I explained to them that I don't have a probation officer and have no future court appearances. They said there's nothing they could do, when I find out who to talk to, call them back. But I called them because I don't know who to talk to, and since they are the ones that are not letting me change companies, I figure they should be able to guide me through the process. But they actually yelled at me, and hung up on me and told me to find out and then call them.

My complaints include: Not being able to talk to their representatives. Not getting calls returned. Not getting my refunds as they promised. Not getting my device switched to the original as promised because it was their device that failed. Bad customer service. Not having the 24/7 service that their website offers. 45.00 for towing. another 45.00 for towing. Missing first day of class and therefore being dropped from classes. Classes that are offered only once a year and therefore was put a year behind. Loss of work. Loss of time. Having to walk having to be in dangerous situations due to device malfunctions.

Beware out there. Even when you’re being compliant with the law, they will still make your life complicated. Do not let them do this to you! Screw them! They think because they have control of you they can make things complicated. I'm telling you this is grounds for a class action suit. They compute the times of exactly when they are screwing with all of us! A lawyer can pull those times. I'm still waiting for the lawyer I "supposedly" contacted when you print out your complaint.

Four extensions to my Arizona drivers license, and since taking the device off my vehicle, after my years lease, I have been suspended. I am fighting for my privilege to drive again... Thanks for all your great posts relating to this matter.

Actually, we never got a single MVD notice letter within the 15 day response period until this one today (guess they have been reading my hearing request letters). Tyler has repeatedly asked the Smart Start people to verify the faulty equipment to the MVD, but Smart Start says the MVD will not accept any verification from them now. Sounds like Smart Start and AZ are in together on this (good scam). I will be researching attorney's for at last an individual suit and would like to work towards a class action, as it is happening with two of us in AZ. It's probably is happening with a lot more. Plus, will call the AZ AG and local politicians for their help.

My son has followed his court mandated punishment to a "T". I cannot believe this state's MVD can issue computer generated non-registered robo-letters, but I get a registered letter for having weeds over 8" tall? Tyler even had his license suspended over the Smart Start equipment, but Tyler never received a letter from the MVD. Did not know it until he was stopped by a city cop for a broken windshield. They impounded his car and I had to get an attorney to get most of the multiple charges dropped (total outlay $1,850). The arresting officer said he had the same issue, but called his Sargent to get the charges dropped and his license reinstated. Guess having a badge has its privileges.

Something is severely wrong with this state. This seems like a no-brainer class action for an attorney. Will go after both Smart Start and the State of AZ.

This Saturday, the LCD lens or "light" on the device did not work. When I called the corporate office, we had to tow the vehicle, once again, out to the local representative who did not start working on it until we arrived.

Cash only representatives? Smart Start’s representatives at "Fantastic Sound" in Montclair, California play games about their computer being slow, and finally, after hours of waiting, we went to the bank and got out cash! Twice!

Over the weekend, I never got through to Smart Start and had to wait until today to hear the bad news about needing to tow the car, another lost day of work. Smart Start boasts that they have "emergency 24 hour service, seven days a week" but they do not. Not even close. Smart Start is in it for the money. They appear to want to "get in and get out".

By the way, if you need to get any meaningful communication about your device, if you anticipate being locked out and you need immediate answers when someone finally gets to you, if they get to you, you must have the following: a cell phone a computer, Auto Club Membership for towing, installers, representatives who speaks English and representatives that take credit cards of checks transmitted to.

And practice I did, for hours on end during the next ten days. When I could not get the car started, the locksmith did stop by and demonstrate the process again, but to no avail. I spent at least ten hours "practicing" during the next ten days and only managed to get the car started three times. To make things worse, if you do manage to get the car started, five minutes later, the system alerts you that you have to test again. On one of the three occasions I could get the device to work, I was unable to get a successful test done five minutes later, and the car started honking frantically as I tried to get home before it shut down altogether.

Due to start a new job, I called the locksmith yet again to explain that after many hours of "practicing," the car had only started three times. They were very nice people, and the owner came to my home to start my car (where it took him ten tries to get the car going). He drove my car to the shop, where his wife worked with me another 2-1/2 hours. She did her best, but finally admitted that this system simply would not respond to my blowing and humming. She didn't know why.

In desperation, days before I had to leave town to start a new job, I was relieved to learn that there is a rival company, Intoxiclock, which performs the same test, but actually works. It is extremely simple to use, and will make it possible for me to reliably get to work! It is also much less expensive.

I am angry that I paid $168 to have a device installed which was absolutely useless and that after ten days ,they charged me another $63 to remove their absolutely useless product.

I want everyone else in my position to know how miserable a product the Smart Start interlock is and that there is a much better, less expensive product available that will actually serve its purpose. Intoxiclock will make it possible for me to test and drive every time.

I've also had numerous repairs to wires in my car that are connected to the device installed in my vehicle as well as having the headset replaced (changed out) several times. I have lost track since it's changed almost every time I go to my monthly compliance check. I blow into the headset in order to start my vehicle. I have been late to work and even been stuck in a parking lot in triple digit weather because this machine does not work properly! It's not an every day thing when it malfunctions. There are days it works fine but I should not be at fault for this machine not working properly.

I've had two corrective action notices mailed to me from the MVD notifying me that my driving privilege has an extension of one year due to this. That's an additional two years I'm ordered to have this and I have done nothing wrong. I completed all my monthly compliance checks and paid my fees to them. They in return provide people in my situation with faulty machines that do not work 100% and expect us to pay the price. I researched this company and found hundreds if not thousands of complaints similar to mine. Smart Start is cashing in on its clients by causing these extensions causing us to keep these devices in our vehicles for years and years! I feel unless I take action against them and let them know they will not take advantage of people like this they will never honor my contract and remove this device.

Every time I was informed by a Smart Start Technician during a Compliance check that I had a violation and a letter would be sent I argued with them and reminded them that it was the device that malfunctioned and they agreed but still told me I had to deal with the Motor Vehicle Division when I get the letter. Smart Start is giving me the runaround and I have confirmed this as I called the MVD and was informed Smart Start Inc. simply needs to notify them that it was a device error and not my fault and the corrective actions will be voided! I informed the MVD that I have requested that Smart Start respond in my favor to the MVD but all the technicians told me they have nothing to do with this and I need to request a hearing. The MVD rep was kind and advised me to call the hearing department.

I spoke with a representative at the Hearing Office Vehicle Division and told him what has happened to me and that I'm getting the runaround. He told me he hears this all the time and advised me to complain to the main office for Smart Start Inc. which I have done through the BBB and Consumer Affairs. He again confirmed to me that if Smart Start Inc. techs admitted that the cause of the violations was due to the device not working properly that it's a simply call or e-mail to the MVD notifying them of this and they will correct any action taken against me. This has not been done for me and will never be done if I continue alone. That is why I've gone through the BBB and AG to assist me.

I have reached my boiling point I had a bad wire (connected to my ignition interlock device) repaired the first week of Jan 2010 it had cause me to lose points on my unit again. I informed the technician that the points lost were caused by the device and he confirmed this saying the wire had caused several circumventions. I asked for documentation to be written for me to have for my records. He said all he could do was make a note in my account. He even replaced my headset due to it not calibrating properly. Now this happened one week before my monthly compliance check on Jan 14th 2010.

On Jan 14th 2010, I went to my compliance check and was informed by the technician that I had a violation and will be receiving a letter from the MVD again. This makes three extensions none that are my fault. I reminded him that just one week prior I had repairs done to wires and my headset replaced as they were not working properly. He said there was nothing he could do and I had to request a hearing. He then informed me he would be giving me a new headset as it wasn't calibrating properly. I had just had it changed a week prior and now changed again. How does this company expect anyone to complete their program if the devices are faulty?

I have received terrible customer service from the toll free line. I have had issues with my unit going crazy and not allowing me to blow into it for a test I called them for assistance. I was never given any help and always told to go to my nearest service location for assistance. The worst part is that when the c/s rep is ready to end the call, they hadn't even asked me my name or got any of my information so I was upset and let him know he needed to notate my account that this occurred. I doubt anything was notated. But the company itself is a big joke and there not helping anyone but themselves. I need help with getting this corrected asap please. Thank you for your help and God Bless.

I have been late to work causing me lose hours, stranded, not being able to drive my car at times until I have repairs or replacement of the headset. I'm very stressed with the damage to my driving record. I have to take time off of work to go to my monthly compliance check. I can't commute to visit family as much as I like because I'm afraid that the device will malfunction and leave me stranded again. I should no longer have to deal with this. I have completed my one year contract!

Then, all of a sudden, the screen goes blank, and I hear it clicking and malfunctioning the entire hour ride home. It didn't work after that. Upon talking to Smart Start, they tell me you're not supposed to jump start the vehicle with the device plugged in. Okay, then if the device wasn't plugged in while I'm jumping it, how am I supposed to start the car? It has to be plugged in to perform the test, right? And upon researching through my documents, and extensively on the net, I saw no documentation about not jump starting your car with the handset plugged in.

They're trying to charge me over $300 for the handset, one that is completely bugged to begin with! Not only that, once this happened, they tell me they have a new updated version available, and the service center will install the new system for free, since I'm having "issues" with my older version. Okay, so you're making me pay 300 bucks for an outdated faulty piece of equipment that was no fault of my own. Mind you, this particular handset gave me problems prior to this incident, and she's trying to tell me it was my fault, and I am responsible for it. I don't think so.

Not only this incident but there was an instance where I had to go to work in the morning. I knew I was a little hung over, and I should have been violated but I blew into it, and passed. Well, it retested me 10 mins later, I passed again, with a 0.00. But after I stopped for coffee, it retested me then (after I started the car for a 2nd time). Apparently, I blew a 0.06, 10 mins later. So, of course, I failed and failed again. I got a letter to appear for a hearing in Boston about it.

Mind you, I work in a restaurant. I left work at 10:30 pm from Hartford, CT, drove to Boston, and had to get a hotel room in Southie around 1:30 am, just to go to some ** hearing at 8 am the next morning, where they tell me, "yeah, sometimes it can misregister." Really!? You made me drive all the way up here after a long day, spend over $200 to be here, for you to tell me I'm working with a defective device. If I had too much booze on my breath still, then violate me. Don't let me start the car and drive. Stop. Start again, then realized I shouldn't be driving.

After the incident with the device completely blacking out, if I didnt have AAA, I would pursue legal action for the difference of the towing bill. They only pay up to $125 if it's considered to be their fault (which it was). The closest service center is an hour away from me. I have not had a good experience with Smart Start. Their after hours service helpline is horrific, too. It's like they have one guy on call to answer the phones after a certain hour, to help a nation full of complaints and calls. This is extremely inefficient and inconvenient.

Apparently, the charge for that faulty handset are still on my "account" but I'm going to fight that tooth and nail. Even if it were the jump-starting of the vehicle that made it malfunction, I was never informed to unplug it if that were to happen. Legally, they have no grounds. I am not pleased with my experience with Smart Start.