platinum protection scam

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/erie/Is-security-company-offering-real-deal

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Door-to-door salesmen are peddling home security systems in Buffalo and Cheektowaga, but are they on the level?

Janet Pietras never thought about getting a home security system. She figured she already had three.

Pietras said, "Because I have three German Shepherds and they're great."

But when a few Platinum Protection Security salesmen showed up at her door selling a security system, they made an offer she couldn't refuse.

"He said he wanted to use my house as a demo home and it would cost nothing," explained Pietras.

So she signed a contract and then found out about the monthly monitoring fee.

Pietras said, "He never mentioned that until they were drilling holes in my wall."

Her alarm went off the very next day, but no one came. Platiunum Protection says that it's rare that a homeowner won't get a call following the alarm being activated. Nevertheless, Pietras canceled her service. She says she was turned off by the sales pitch.

"I should have known better," said Pietras.

Common Council member Rich Fontana was a bit skeptical when they came to his door.

"They said, 'We'll give you free security system all the time, no charge for three years.' It sounded too good to be true, so I went along with their bait," said Fontana.

But he turned the salesmen away, although some of his neighbors didn't. We tried to find out if they liked their service, but the homeowners weren't home.

Cheektowaga Police received calls about the aggressive tactics of the door-to-door sales reps. Company officials say they have over 175,000 satisfied customers nationwide and they're just branching into the western New York market.

Platinum Protection spokesperson Emmie Watts said, "We provide each customer two surveys. Before, a pre-survey is done to make sure they know what they're agreeing to, and a post-survey because we do want to be clear of the survey they're signing."

News 4 spoke with Platinum Protection's CEO Monday night who says the company puts a lot of effort into training their sales reps, who are mostly college students, but they are licensed to sell the security

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Platinum
• Protection
• security
• scam
• rip
• off
• lies
• jared
• hallows
• chance
• allred
• alarm
• home

[metallicarox80s]

Way to go news team. How about mentioning the fact this woman failed to read anything before signing? How about the fact that Platinum requires a recorded "pre-installation phone survey" that outlines every detail of the monitoring agreement *with the customer*" & what was this woman doing during that survey?

But no, let's make the company look like villains. After all, that will make a nice one for the 10:00 news.

[metallicarox80s]

@f70scv That's why it's important to read what you sign. As well, a mandatory pre-installation survey confirms all the terms with the customer. They clearly state "the agreement is for an initial term of five (or three) years."

[EngailiaRants]

My mom let these people into our home I was leaving when they came and I just said hi what my mom didnt tell me was they asked for all of her kids over 18s birth date she didn't think about it let them install and 1 month later My name is on the bills I wasn't even there to sign anything or agree we tried calling to get it fixed but no help with them. my moms name should be on those bills not mine my opinion they were looking for some in the house with the better credit which ended up being me

[Phill1478963]

So where's the scam? Just because you pay to monitor your home? ADT does the same thing.

[harmkalob]

Also, way to show the customer entering their secret PIN to turn off the system...It's also likely her bank PIN number so have at it thieves!

[harmkalob]

@ThePessdizzle Totally right man. There is no scam. The largest security company in the US, ADT, knocks door to door with the exact same pitch and offer. Just because Platinum lack's name recognition, it's labeled a scam. But when ADT does it, or spams your mail with 2 offers a week, they're offering a "valuable service."

[f70scv]

Shady salesmen + saying the system is “free” + only 3 days to cancel (which they don't tell you) + over 500 complaints with the Better Business Bureau = Scam

[JToTheR420]

oh and this bitch is so fucking dumb obviously it shows a monthly rate on the contract and nobody can give u free monitoring cuz thats a separate service, and the survey that they do with the customer asks them that they kno its a 49.99 a month rate with a 39 or 60 month agreement, some of these reps are pieces of shit but others are doing there job correctly its not the company its just some of the reps

[JToTheR420]

lets be honest if a door to door rep came to your door and said hey sign a 3 year $50 a month contract with monotronics and well pay for your equipment, tht dusnt sound convincing at all, in the end u get what u want if the rep explains it right....and the three day cancellation poilicy is just the minimum the united states can do, just be realistic guys security systems are overall beneficial if u can afford it then u should have one, and this is business sales is what makes the world turn

[JToTheR420]

platinum protection is not a scam, the only thing that makes it a scam is the sales rep that represents the company wrong.., you are getting the equipment and free install..there is always a contract of course with every alarm company unless u use a shitty local company and pay for your equipment, even then they would make u take a 1 year contract......the 60 month contract is optional u can do 3 years too which is standard for monitoring companies

[ronsimons22]

1) Any Legit company would offer more than 3 days to cancel. If the product is so worthy and the company is not a scam, step up to the plate and offer a 60 day money back guarantee or something respectable.

2) If the company is any good it wouldn't need to sell door to door. The only things sold during the information age in a door to door fashion are shitty products no one actually needs. If the consumer needs a product they will contact the seller.