Alert USA

• Experience
• Features
• Easy Installation

Experience

Alert USA has been in business since 1984, which means they have had time to perfect and refine their products and services. Along with their experience, their terms of service are clear and informative showing the transparency of the company.

Features

The unit offered by Alert USA is easy to use and features big, colored buttons for sending an alert and resetting the system from the base unit. The system also has a good battery system, meaning that a client would still be able to use the product in the instance of electrical failure. The base unit also has a diagnostic system that checks the functionality of both the base station and the portable button unit.

The mobile unit is light, durable, and easy to use. The button is waterproof so that the user can take it with them into the shower or participate in outdoor activities.

Another neat feature of the service is the World Wide Protection Card. A client, when traveling, can carry a card that contains a contact number for Alert USA. If an individual experiences a medical emergency, bystanders and first responders can call the toll free number, getting needed information to provide first aid.

Easy Installation

The unit is also easy to install. One simply plugs the system into their phone jack and power outlet, pushing the reset button in order to activate it.

• Cancellation and refunds
• Functionality
• False alarms

Cancellation and Refunds

There were several complaints regarding getting a refund after returning equipment. Some clients were also billed after they had canceled their service. At least one review involved coercion to buy a new unit from the company when the proper parts were not available to repair a unit.

Functionality

The functionality of the unit also raised grave concerns. 300 feet is not an adequate range for an alert device. The alert button does not have two-way communications capability so that the client could not communicate with the operator. One of the complaints was truly troubling. When a client had problems with the service and product, they ordered a new unit. While they waited for a new unit to arrive, the client was still billed for monthly service and offered no refund for "downtime" resulting from not having a working unit. The client tried to close out the account but faced great difficulty with canceling the service. Also, the base unit is connected to a phone line. Even though the unit has VoIP and DSL capability, there is no GPS or cellular capability for the unit, meaning that a customer has to notify the company when moving or traveling. Many individuals might not be able to use this product if they do not have a phone line or a landline. It is troubling that the number for sales and customer service is the same hotline. Customer service calls are typically answered during business hours, meaning that someone might not be able to get help with their unit if it were to go offline overnight or late in the evening.

False Alarms

No information for "false alarms" could be found. Information for false alarms is important because the unit may go off on occasion. Another concern with Alert USA was the lack of a fall sensor. Fall sensors are important because they respond to sudden motion that may indicate that a person is falling.

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