First Alert Instant Alarm 4pk
by as seen on tv
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Our Price: $14.95 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of First Alert Instant Alarm 4pk
Customer Review: Poor product and service
Summary: 1 Stars
When I ordered this item it was listed as "in stock". When the item still hadn't arrived two weeks after it was scheduled to the company sent me an e-mail asking how I'd liked the product. I had already been in touch with Amazon, but now I had an e-mail from the company I was able to tell them I hadn't received the product.
I was told it was on back-order and would take about three more weeks to arrive. I found it curious that although it had been listed as in-stock and it had been assumed I'd received it (because of the "how was it?" e-mail) it was back-ordered. I commented to the service representative that if orders are initially listed as in-stock and become back-ordered, they might want to e-mail a customer - I have a package pick-up service so I had been stopping in every day for two weeks to see if it had arrived. It was an inconvenience that could have been avoided had the company just contacted me. More curious still was that my package arrived withing five days of that. Wasn't it supposed to be on back-order for three more weeks?
It really looks to me as though they hadn't actually processed my order correctly and lied about it being on back-order. Actually I have just checked and seen that the postage stamp on my package reads august 19th, but someone (perhaps the post master) has written 9/16 next to it. 8/19 is when it should have been shipped, but mailing it 9/16 would reflect when it actually showed up. I highly doubt they print mailing labels before the product is ready to be shipped.
What's more, when it arrived, none of the eight alarms I ordered worked. Not a single one. I had read other reviews that said some had arrived with batteries that were dead, though it seemed to have been one or two out of four, not every single one. When I'd read these reviews I had purchased a set of batteries just in case, but when I tried to replace the batteries, first of all, the batteries already in the alarms were jammed in so tight I had difficulty removing them (I finally resorted to removing them in a somewhat dangerous manner). Once the batteries were out I put in the replacements, which were so loose that when I turned the alarm over they fell out with no provocation. I double-checked and I did have the recommended battery size.
Finally, the alarms I received were a previous model that as-seen-on-tv claims to not sell/have in stock anymore, and not the newer models pictured on the Amazon page. I thought perhaps they had shipped me some old models to make up for the new one being out of stock, but there is absolutely no indication of this (and the shipping label date makes me think the package was packed when it should have been).
I purchased something like this in stores a few years ago, and really, really liked it. In addition there are many problems a business can face, items going into back-order without warning, the usps losing packages, etc. I can only be understanding, though, when these situations are made clear to me in a timely, professional manner. If you have my e-mail and can send me a "how was your order" mail, you have my e-mail and can notify me when an item is on back-order, preferably before I've been waiting around for it for weeks. You can also notify me if you are sending me a different model (and more importantly ASK if I would like to substitute my order with an older, potentially not-working-anymore model).
My experience with this company was pretty poor.
Customer Review: Worth the price...
Summary: 3 Stars
A few years ago there were several break-ins around my neighborhood. After checking on some monitored alarm services and learning I couldn't afford to have sensors on all entry points, I decided to try these.
I purchased a total of 50 and three of those did not work at all. I chalked that up to "getting what I paid for". They ARE cheap!
They are VERY easy to install. Unfortunately, they don't stay installed. Within the first 24 hours, some had already come loose. Within a month, at least half had been put back with duct tape.
I was not able to install these on one of my doors. I could have put one on the outside of the door, but not the inside. Maybe my door is just inside-out. Or maybe these don't work on ALL doors and windows.
On the positive side, they ARE loud. They worked well enough to give me a lot more peace of mind and that was exactly what I was looking for. A few are still working and loud after more than 2 years.
I would probably look for a different brand to try next time, but these did live up to my expectations.
Customer Review: GREAT BUY - Try using velcro to install these, Batteries will be easier to replace, PLAN POSSIBLE BATTERY REPLACEMENT AT RECEIPT
Summary: 5 Stars
GREAT price even though I had to replace some batteries on receipt - AFTERALL, this is a discontinued product. This is a 4-pack of ALARMS. Two alarms worked great right out of pkg. One had weak batteries, One had dead batteries. Fortunately, I had ordered a 50 pack of batteries for less than $6 total with FREE shipping off Amazon (from hobbytoolsupply). I'm glad I got these alarms but batteries are kinda frustrating to replace. I had to use tweezers to remove dead batteries BUT this was even before I even stuck unit to the door. So I decide "WHY NOT USE VELCRO TO ATTACH INSTEAD OF STICKY BACK?? That way batteries will be much easier to manipulate when it is time to change. I will probably ALSO try the "door stop" type alarm that uses a 9-volt battery. I can just pick up the 9-volt batteries at Wallyworld. Also, alarms I received are different from those pictured but they ARE FirstAlert products. Even with the battery hassle, I still recommend because the cost is super low.Customer Review: Alarm system that works....with one sticky problem...
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought these to alarm my son's bedroom door so that when he is sent to his room, he stays there! I have also used them as a deterrent to keep my children from going into my own room and other areas of the house that are off limits. When set to alarm, they are quite loud.
The only drawback I've found is that when the batteries die, they are hard to get out of the unit. I had to pull the unit off of the wall and bang on it to get them out. The tape doesn't work very well after it is pulled from the door...but you can buy double-sided tape to replace it.
Overall, I think they are definitely a good investment. Even with the cost of batteries and replacement tape figured in, it is a low cost way to get peace of mind.
Customer Review: Total waste of money
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased 3 sets of these alarms for every opening to a pool I had built and I now need to get new alarms before the pool is certified for use. The decibel level is so low you cannot hear the alarm unless you are in the same room (with no TV/radio or other competing noise). I imagine they are useful for securing kitchen cabinets from children while you are looking the other way or for a bedroom window burglar alert while you are sleeping (assuming you are not a heavy sleeper). Otherwise I can think of very little use.
Another reviewer said they kept falling off. I did not have this problem. I had difficulty ripping them off. You probably just need to have a good clean surface.