Door-to-door alert: Alarm system “fix” offered

| Door-to-door alert | Highland Park | West Seattle news

Catherine‘s a little worried about the people who showed up on her doorstep in Highland Park today and wonders if anyone has words of reassurance – or warning:

Today, while I was home (12th SW across from Riverview Field) alone with my
daughter, two men ran our doorbell. Normally, I don’t answer the door when I’m home
alone but gave it a second thought when I realized the people at the door might be
casing our house. I peeked out the window and noticed that their shirts said
“Pinnacle.”

My husband pulled up that moment and asked them what they needed. They told him that
our alarm system, ADT (we have a yard sign), had a problem with the equipment.
Because ADT connects their service to the phone lines, bad guys could simply cut the
phone lines and rob our house, and it was a common occurrence. They mentioned that
there is a fix that they can do, and it meant installing some sort of box.

My husband told the guys that my parents own this house and they would have to speak
with them at a later date.

I googled Pinnacle and found out that they are a legitimate alarm company, but any
time someone comes to my house midday on a Monday, I am suspicious, especially when
they are inquiring about my alarm system. Did anyone in the neighborhood encounter
these gentlemen, or have any information about them? Thanks!

christie July 20, 2009 (6:26 pm)

On Saturday we had someone come to our house and try to sell us an “upgrade” to our home alarm system. I told my husband to tell them to get lost. We live on 12th ave SW down by highland park.

Katy L July 20, 2009 (6:48 pm)

We had what turned out to be legitimate alarm salespeople in our neighborhood (Fairmount Park) last summer. But I was so perturbed about the whole idea of selling a security system door-to-door (how easy it would be for the “bad guys” to fool people, especially vulnerable folks, and get inside their homes or find out if they have a system) that I called the company’s sales manager for the NW Region (I can’t recall what company it was now).

Despite my arguments against door-to-door sales, he said this was their most successful approach and it was unlikely that it would change any time soon.

A police officer told me that you can always ask to see ID and they should have a permit on them that you can ask to see too. He recommended taking 24 hours to check out everything on the internet before committing to anything.

But the best policy was your first impulse–not to open the door to strangers. You can always talk to them through the closed door–that way they know you’re home but you’re not endangering yourself.

Makes me sad that we have to be so suspicious these days.

Just Sayin July 20, 2009 (7:06 pm)

For those who think they should be as suspicious and fearful as this person let me just say in my Seattle house hasn’t been locked for 2.5 years now. Nothing has ever been stolen.

Catherine :o) July 20, 2009 (7:20 pm)

Just Sayin, I’m glad you have had great success but we have not. I’ve had a car stolen and another broken into. Both of our neighbor’s houses have been burglarized. As a 26 year old 5’2 female home alone with my toddler, I don’t think being overly cautious is a bad thing.

NeedaFix July 20, 2009 (7:44 pm)

Just Sayin, where exactly do you live? Could you provide the address to make it easier?

Claire July 21, 2009 (6:10 am)

Someone from Pinnacle came by a neighbor’s house recently (17th & Holden) and kept insisting that he need to into her house to check on her key pad. She did not have Pinnacle alarm either. Someone came by our house trying to get me to sign up for a free Sunday newspaper subscription. Catherine – being overly cautious is not a bad thing. Especially with all of this going around. Just Sayin – good for you. That seems to be very rare these days.

Jake July 21, 2009 (7:09 am)

You might check with the BBB on this company. You should never feel pressured to let someone in your home or to make a decision about such an important service. You might also check with your current provider about that phone line issue. I know, for example, that Protection One offers alternatives to connecting via a landline and to combat thieves who cut phone lines. They also have a cool service that lets you control the system via your cell phone.

Catherine :o) July 21, 2009 (10:19 am)

Thank you for your comments! A girl on another forum told me that ADT probably offers this service as well, and singing with Pinnacle would mean signing two separate contracts. I hate the “appeal to fear” when trying to sell a product. One thing is for sure, I won’t be doing business with Pinnacle.

datamuse July 21, 2009 (11:07 am)

For those who think they should be as suspicious and fearful as this person let me just say in my Seattle house hasn’t been locked for 2.5 years now. Nothing has ever been stolen.
.
How nice for you. Mine’s been locked for 10 years and nothing’s been stolen either, so I’m dubious about your implied cause and effect relationship there.

a neighbor July 21, 2009 (7:41 pm)

I never know if these door to door people are “real.” Yesterday afternoon a tall dark curly-haired man POUNDED on our door and when I answered, said his name was “Pat” and he was passing out flyers about tree trimming, but he’d just given out his last one. But he offered to give his phone number and his niece “Mary’s” phone number, if we wanted to get in touch. I said I’d ask my husband, who promptly said that he’d do our trimming, himself.

Alisha August 7, 2009 (5:55 am)

I always go by the saying, ‘It’s better to be safe than sorry’. I usually ask for the phone number/business card of the company the person is representing and do my own investigating before answering any questions.

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