Pinnacle Security Uses Misleading, High-Pressure Sales Tactics (from Nashville BBB)

Update from Ralph Bristol Morning News – BBB Middle Tennessee can be heard Fridays at 7:35am on the Ralph Bristol Nashville Morning News, WTN 99.7 (FM Radio)

 

Pinnacle Security “Alarms” Middle Tennessee Consumers

Company Uses Misleading, High-Pressure Sales Tactics

[July 27, 2012 – Nashville, TN] BBB warns Middle Tennessee residents of the business practices of Pinnacle Security headquartered in Orem, UT.

BBB has received reports that Pinnacle Security’s sales representatives are going door-to-door throughout Middle Tennessee offering alarm-monitoring services.  Consumers indicate misleading sales practices in that company representatives claim to be working for or in conjunction with the consumer’s current alarm company and offer the consumer alarm monitoring services for a lower rate; however, further research indicates the company is not affiliated nor associated with the consumer’s current alarm monitoring service.  Some consumers report high-pressure sales tactics in that company representatives continue pushing the consumer to sign contracts after requests have been made for the representative to leave the consumer’s property.  Other misleading sales tactics include telling residents that their neighbor referred them after signing up for the company’s services when in fact the neighbor had asked the company to leave without agreeing to any services.  BBB has also received reports that the company targets elderly citizens with similar misleading and high-pressure sales tactics.

Michael Dinwiddie, Mayor for the City of Spring Hill, TN, recently announced, “…..due tonumerous complaints against the extremely aggressive tactics being used by this company, I suspended the permit for Pinnacle/Devcon to solicit in Spring Hill until a revocation hearing is scheduled…..To date, there have been numerous complaints from the residents about the sales tactics being used, including salesmen refusing to leave someone’s private property when requested to do so. I have also been made aware that the salesmen are telling residents that our police and fire departments have endorsed their business, which is not true and in violation of City Ordinance 9-211(1)(a).”

This company has earned an “F” rating with the BBB, has had numerous government actions against the firm from Attorney Generals in six different states, and has over 1150 customer complaints filed against them with BBB.

If you have had an unsatisfactory experience with Pinnacle Security, please visit www.bbb.org/us/tn/nashville and file a complaint.

BBB offers the following advice when choosing an alarm monitoring company:

  • Always check out a company’s reputation by obtaining a BBB Business Review by visiting www.bbb.org/us/tn/nashville or call your local BBB if you’re unable to locate one.

  • Verify claims or offers made BEFORE agreeing to the service or signing any contracts.

  • Know your rights! The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Cooling-Off Rule gives you three days to cancel purchases of $25 or more if you buy an item in your home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business. Under the Cooling-Off Rule, your right to cancel for a full refund extends until midnight of the third business day after the sale.

To obtain a list of reputable alarm monitoring companies, Start your search With Trust by visiting www.bbb.org/us/tn/nashville and clicking on our Accredited Business Directory.

UncategorizedJames Stein