Ackerman Security Systems

I had a salesperson come to the house and look at the system (which was an Ackerman system) and then sign me up for service activation. My payment for the first months monitoring was collected. An appointment was scheduled for a technician to come out and activate the system. When the technician came out he told me the cellular radio could not be reregistered and therefore my system could not be activated. He did not have a replacement communicator to install. He also told me one of my keypads was not operational and left without placing it back on the wall. He informed me I would have to speak with a sales person to determine the costs and reschedule an appointment. My check however was cashed the same day the technician came out. I was able to cancel my service and receive a refund. Beware the contract gives you three days from the day it is signed to cancel although the technician's visit will likely occur after that. I did not encounter a problem cancelling however.

After 5+ visits to our home the system is still not functioning or alerting as it should. It should only take one visit. Highly unprofessional service "techs" that do not know what they are doing, rude managers...completely UNACCEPTABLE ! And try to charge for tech visits that should have been take. Care of the first time. We have been more than patient and are now looking for a different company. Our recommendation.. Do NOT use Ackerman.

Due to faulty wireless door contacts and some self-imposed error the alarm has been tripped several times. The "monitoring center" sounds more like someones living room. We recently had an alarm sound in the middle of the night, it rang for at least 5 minutes before we disarmed (we were uncertain if someone was in the house). NO call to the police (we called 911) and no calls to backup telephone contacts. Shame on us - you get what you pay for.

We upgraded our alarm system in my office to a new wireless system, and added a number of new glass breakers, motion sensors, and internet monitoring capabilities. After that, we decided to do the same thing to the system at our home. The sales guy was friendly and nice, but the installation and the post-install follow-up was a nightmare. Some sensors didn't work, some would start triggering alerts and wouldn't stop, some were incorrectly programmed, many weren't labeled, and the online access system was not set up completely. And then it got worse. When there was a problem, it was impossible to get someone to come out and troubleshoot and fix the problem. We had a motion sensor that would chime every 10 seconds and it wouldn't stop. It became really annoying very quickly. I called the repair center, and left a message (because nobody was available) and nobody ever called me back. I looked up the manual for the system online, and figured out how to disable the zone so it would stop chiming. A week later, they still had not called back. So I called back, and they apologized, and they told me that the technician would call me to schedule an appointment. He didn't - he just showed up, without calling, when I wasn't there. Then we had a sensor triggered in the warehouse. Police were dispatched and I had to meet them there VERY early one morning. It was a false alarm, and we don't know how or why it happened. When I contacted the service department, I got no callback. I sent an email and copied the really nice sales person (Tom) - and the only response I got was "please call our service department during office hours". Argh. I sent an email to Tom telling him I was "done" with their company, based on all this, asking how I can cancel the service for my office and my home..... and got no response. I still haven't heard back after a month. I can't recommend this company. All I wanted was for someone to come out and fix our system to correct our problems and they won't even call me back.

It was ok, they just want everyone on a contract. it's that or pay for the required parts. Nothing is free to switch.

Ackerman was my alarm monitoring company for 3 years. They installed the system as well. Last month my radio (cell service) quit working. In contacting other companies, I found out this is fairly common right now because it was a 2G system and everything is being upgraded to a 4G. I contacted Ackerman about the problem three times. I requested the service department call me to discuss the issue due to the fact that my alarm was not being monitored due to the problem and I was leaving town in two weeks. The service department did not contact me until 9am on the day of my flight - which I had told the answering service was at 2pm. Even if someone had contacted me at any time before that day to discuss the situation and schedule with me, I would have been inclined to remain with Ackerman. However, ignoring me and my repeated attempts at contact is the reason for my cancellation of service. When I had not heard back from within 48 hours of the original problem, I reached out again to Ackerman, but also contacted four other security firms (on Angie's list). Three were able to visit my home within a week, make a quick assessment of the issue based on my description and a quick visual check, and offer me a solution. Each of the other firms offered the same assessment - replace the radio - similar estimates on the time it would take to complete that work, and they all gave me exactly the same cost for the work. During this time, I never heard from Ackerman. On Monday, I chose a firm and made an appointment for them to come to my home. I heard from the Ackerman service department on Tuesday at 9am to schedule my appointment for that day. I asked the service department if they were aware that I was flying out at 2pm, and they responded that there was a note in the file that I would be leaving town that day. Assuming the service department could have sent someone to my home within an hour of the call, based on the estimated time for the work I received from the other firms, the service department could not have completed my job in time for me to leave the house to get to the airport in time for my flight.

They were on time and very professional. The salesman was very knowledgeable. He went above and beyond for me.

. I've asked Ackerman to send a technician back to my home, at no charge, to trouble shoot the problem with my being unable to by pass the glass breaks and get it resolved. I have not gotten a functionally operative system, which is what I paid for. The supervisor to whom I made the request told me she did not have authority to authorize a no charge service call and would need to speak with the technical support supervisor. Haven't heard from that supervisor either. You would think after 8 months these people would be apologizing for my inconvenience and be doing what it takes to get the problem expediently resolved. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST ACKERMAN WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU!

Excellent service. Their system prevented a break-in for me, and that is priceless. They are always very responsive. Rates are competitive. Monitoring response to an alarm is quick and efficient.

I contacted Ackerman Security for a price quote to connect to my existing home security system. Unfortunately I was told that my system would not qualify or connect with there services. I was given multiple options for another system installation but I choose not to go with Ackerman at this time.Overall my experience with their customer service team was excellent and they were very helpful.

READ YOUR CONTRACT. Just called to cancel service thinking that I had a one year contract. They auto renew your contract for another full year unless they get a written notice of cancellation 60 days prior to the end of the one year contract. Who does business like this.

They have bad service. I recently moved and tried to cancel my contract, they have an auto renewal policy without notice so now I am stuck in this contract till 2014 even though I do not live there anymore. You get what you pay for, do not be lured by the cheaper price.

The service was excellent. He was very thorough and went through our entire home. My grandfather really liked the guy as well. They were good with the pets which was very important to me. The guy came out on a Saturday and that was great as we could learn about the system as a family.

The service was excellent. He was very thorough and went through our entire home. My grandfather really liked the guy as well. They were good with the pets which was very important to me. The guy came out on a Saturday and that was great as we could learn about the system as a family.

Sales rep made an onsite visit to review our current alarm system. A quote was provided to replace the current system and upgrade to wireless communication. There was no followup by the vendor to this initial visit. The decision was made to contract with another vendor that was much more responsive, provided a more cost effective upgrade path and more competitive monthy pricing.

Installation went without a hitch. Installer was friendly and was actually early for our appointment. Everything went smoothly and was stress-free.

Needed security systems installed on two small (6000 sq foot) office buildings and a house. The person coming out to do the estimate was able to do a single alarm system for the two buildings saving me a full monthly recurring fee. The alarm was also a challenge because only one of the building has power. He was able to use wireless, battery powered sensors in the building with no power to give me a basic alarm system while the buildings are being renovated. The salesperson was very practical in his suggestions, certainly not pushing things that were not needed. Very pleased with the experience. I did have another estimate from another popular Atlanta firm that had higher ratings on Angie's List and zero complaints from the BBB. The woman that came out to do that estimate reeked of cigarette smoke, and was insistent that the second building I had could not be monitored using wireless sensors. Their install cost was several hundred dollars higher, and monthly monitoring fees were not only higher on each individual building, but I would have had to pay a third monthly fee rather than Ackerman's two. The installer that put in the system did not label zones, so that was a negative, nor did he give very good instructions....hurried and brief. I have called Ackerman once since the install, left a message, and was never been called back. I had to call three times in a row next time before someone answered the phone.

We have asked repeatedly to speak to a supervisor to resolve these problems and the only response we get is that it will cost us to have a technician come out and the wait time is weeks. These are not acceptable responses for a security company, especially when you hear the messages when you are put on hold that say, "we are here for you."

I've used Ackerman at for nearly 10 years and have told myself over and over again to get a new alarm monitoring provider. Throughout the ten years they have done nothing but provide poor service, rude customer service, and rates that quickly escalate much higher than their advertised monthly rates. Moving into a new home, I decided to get competitive quotes. Ackerman sent out a sales person who first was late for our appointment and second wasted entirely too much of my time making frivolous, invasive and unprofessional comments about my home and lifestyle. He then proceeded to sit at my counter and begin "new customer" set up when I had specifically asked for a quote. I had to repeat.... just give me a quote. Two days later, I still had not received his quote and emailed him to get it. When he finally sent it his rates (for equipment) were higher than what he had verbally quoted. Dishonestly and unprofessionalism made me move from Ackerman to a competitor despite the fact that the competitor was more expensive.

The representative was very professional, knowledgeable and experienced. I had narrowed down my decision to two services. I was very impressed with what Ackerman had to offer, but I decided to go with the other service because of price and one other feature that I preferred.

This was a total and abject failure. The company did not meet my expectations at any point, from the start of sending out a salesperson when I told them I wanted to reestablish service (aka - start charging me and turn the monitoring back on)... to the finish where they agreed they had failed to perform and agreed to refund my money and cancel service, after which I had to track them down for a month straight and elevate to the top of their company to actually get the money sent to my credit card. IF YOU WOULD LIKE HORRIBLE SERVICE AND TO WASTE TONS OF YOUR TIME, THIS IS YOUR COMPANY.

I have had to contact Ackerman about this same issue twice in less than 5 days, due to NO MANAGER ever returning my call. I spoke with a phone agent last week about the need to cancel, and possibly move, my service. I have been a customer for over 10 years with Ackerman, and I explained to the agent that we are moving from our existing home, into a rental apartment for 4 months, and then into our new home early in 2013. She said that I had a cancellation amount in the amount of $140 and I was surprised. I pay all of my bills on time and have for 10 years. Why the fee? She said I had a contractual obligation. I then said that I was unable to "move" service until early in 2013 due to new home construction. She said there was nothing she could do and she would send me a form to fill out and have a manager call me. Well, NO ONE CALLED. So today, I called and explained to a second phone agent. I then asked for a manager, since one had not called me back. The agent said to me "You called at a really bad time. We are in the middle of a shift change and I can't locate a manager that can come to the phone." I was SHOCKED! Considering this call was at 4:15pm and my first call was at 9am - I am sorry to bother you during regular business hours. Let me know when it is convenient for you to work with a customer. What a joke!! Finally, a 2nd shift manager did come on the phone. I stated my case again, and he had to put me on hold to check with someone else. Needless to say, after a very short pause, he was sorry but there was nothing he could do. Did I mention I had again told the manager that I would be able to move my service with Ackerman after the 4 month interim apartment move? He said it did not matter. Well, you know what, doing business with you is obviously inconveniencing you, so I won't be using you in the future. Where has Customer Service gone in this country?

Fast forward to today. I am in the process of purchasing a new home and will be selling my current home. The new home is pre-wired for security. I called Ackerman to get a quote, but was told they only will do that if they come out. I was a bit annoyed, but didn't think anything about it. I then started looking for reviews on providers and while there was not much on Angies List there were a LOT of negative reviews online. One of the key notes was about the contract, which actually states it auto-renews for one year increments and requires a 60 day written notice to terminate. I called customer service, who very politely explained I would have to pay out the balance for the year when I terminated. However, if I chose to transfer service to the new home I would not be charged the fee. Of course, I will have to pay the full install and sign a new contract... I explained that I could understand the contract IF I were getting a discount on install, but otherwise they were just taking a shady approach to locking in customers. So, despite being a happy customer with their service, there is no way I am going to put them in at the new house. The $18.95 is a great deal, but there are plenty of highly rated competitors on Angies List in that range without the contract requirement. I ended up rating them a "D" on price, which is solely based on the contract and penalties. I would have them as an A just based on the monitoring cost, but the hidden cost is what gets you. Do yourself a favor and look elsewhere.

When I called I was given an appointment the next day and Mary came out right on time. She was very friendly and answered all of my questions, many of which I didn't have to ask. She understood my security concerns and explained what she thought would be best. When I asked her why I should choose Ackerman and not a popular competitor she explained the services provided as well as that I would actually own the equipment installed. I told her that I wanted to discuss everything with my husband and when I called her back she was very attentive. We were able to finish all the paperwork that same day but she offered to even come out on a Saturday morning if I needed her too! When the technician came out he was very friendly and explained, in detail, how to use my keypad. He ran me through a few situations that may occur and how to use the system appropriately. I think that I am more impressed with is the response time. They guarantee a 45 second response time but the few times I have accidentally forgotten to disarm it, and set it off, I have gotten a call within 15-20 seconds! The keypad is very easy to use and I feel much safer now that it is installed.

On Monday morning I called Ackerman and left a message for the manager. HE NEVER CALLED BACK. I waited 4 days then call again. The manager said he had listened to my call and thought the problem had been resolved. He agreed to send a technician the next day. The technician came, fixed the system and left a bill for $79.00. I promptly cancelled my 10 yrs. service with Ackerman. Additional Information: After I cancelled the service we had had with Ackerman, I was billed $225.00 The customer service representative said that I could not cancel service before the contract was complete. I paid the $225.00 just to be disconnected from the Ackerman system.