Vivint
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: Several links in references require checking and properly formatting. Please help improve this article if you can. The talk page may contain suggestions. (October 2011) |
 |
This article relies on references to primary sources or sources affiliated with the subject, rather than references from independent authors and third-party publications. Please add citations from reliable sources. (October 2011) |
 |
|
| Type | Security Detection and Monitoring |
|---|---|
| Industry | Security Systems, Fire Detection |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Provo, Utah |
| Website | http://www.vivint.com/ |
Vivint, Inc. or more commonly known as Vivint is a privately-held full service residential security company, providing home security and energy conservation services throughout the United States and Canada.[1] Vivint, formerly known as APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc., APX Alarm, or APX, is headquartered in Provo, Utah [2] and has nearly 500,000 current customers and approximately 9,000 employees in the U.S. and Canada. On August 16th, 2011 the company had it's 1 millionth installation.[3] Vivint changed its name from APX Alarm in February 2011.[4] The company has faced significant criticism of its door-to-door selling techniques, with warnings being issued to consumers by business bureaux and government agencies; in 2009 the State of Arkansas fined the former APX $40,850 following multiple sustained complaints.
Contents |
[edit] History
Vivint entered the home alarm service industry in 1997. During its first year of operation the company installed 1,000 alarm systems. A year later, Vivint announced its new business partnership with investment banker Goldman Sachs. Vivint also received funding from private equity firm Jupiter Partners in May 2006, where Jupiter's stake is still invested into Vivint's business.[5] Also in 2006, Vivint expanded its services to Canada offering security services to residents of Toronto, ON. Vivint now offers services to most major cities in the U.S. and Canada. On October 5, 2009, Vivint created a $440 million credit facility led by Goldman Sachs.[6] On Nov 1st of the same year, Vivint acquired a central station from CMS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Protection One, along with 83 new employees.[7] This central station is located in St. Paul, Minnesota.[7] On Dec 3, 2009 Vivint opened a new corporate headquarters, in Provo, Utah.[8] This building also houses an internal monitoring center which began operation in April 2010.[9]
[edit] Company Overview
Vivint was incorporated in 1999 by Keith Nellesen and Current CEO Todd Pederson. Vivint provides monitored Fire, Burglar and other security options to residential customers.[4] The company's main business strategy is to deploy geographically-focused teams of sales representatives and installers.[4] Vivint uses a variety of Honeywell Security equipment, and has announced it would be using upstart manufacture, 2GIG Technologies for panels and peripherals starting in late 2009.[10]
Currently, Vivint is ranked #4 in the SDM list of the largest 100 security installation and monitoring companies.[11]
Vivint is not currently accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but does have an overall rating of "D" with 1379 negative claims reported within the last 3 years, 1352 of which have been reported as resolved by the BBB, 27 of which the BBB acknowledges that Vivint made a good faith effort to resolve the complaint but the customer was not satisfied with the response.[12]
[edit] Criticism
Vivint has faced criticisms regarding the tactics of the company's door-to-door sales people.[13] Investigative reports and news articles about the company cite aggressive sales pitches,[14][15][16] scare tactics in which salepeople tell potential customers that there has been a recent rise of crime in the neighborhood,[17] and claiming to be a representative of the potential customer's current alarm system provider,[18] as among the most common complaints.
In 2009, in response to consumer complaints regarding "dishonest sales practices and contract issues," the BBB of Buffalo, NY issued a warning to consumers with respect to Vivint.[19] Other local business bureaus and government agencies have issued similar warnings.[20][21] Also in 2009, the State of Arkansas fined the former APX $40,850 following a series of consumer complaints.[22] In 2008, Louisiana ordered the company to cease and desist any and all security-related business in the state.[23]
Vivint has responded to complaints in general by stating, "Our entire focus is on providing the best customer service possible and we understand that owning up to our mistakes and making things right when mistakes do occur is a critical component in delivering world-class customer service. When a company is as large as Vivint, and employs thousands of people, we do understand that not everything we do is going to be perfect. With that understanding in mind, we take every customer complaint seriously and do everything within our power to satisfy each and every customer."[24]
[edit] Awards and Charitable Contributions
APX Alarm's call center was Certified for "Providing an Outstanding Customer Service Experience" by J.D. Power and Associates for 2008 and 2009.[25][26] The company has also been named SDM Dealer of the Year Honoree for 2009.[27]
Vivint participates in local charities, including food, clothing and holiday contributions through their charitable organization, the APX Family Foundation. In 2008, ninety Vivint employees went to Galveston, Texas to aid Hurricane Ike victims.[28]
In April 2010 Vivint's Monitoring station in St. Paul Minnesota received a Five Diamond Certification from Central Station Alarm Association.[29]
[edit] References
- ^ "About Us". Vivint. http://www.vivint.com/about. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
- ^ "Vivint | simple, affordable home automation". Apxalarm.com. http://www.apxalarm.com/press/contact. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "one million". Vivint. http://blog.vivint.com/2011/09/one-million/. Retrieved 25 January 2012.
- ^ a b c "About Us | Vivint". Apxalarm.com. http://www.apxalarm.com/About/CompProfile. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ {cite web|url=http://www.jupiterpartners.com |title=Jupiter Partners, LLC Website|publisher=Jupiter Partners|date=2006-5|accessdate=2011-06-15}}
- ^ "APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc. Increases Credit Facility to $440 Million". Business Wire. 2009-10-05. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091005005547&newsLang=en. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ a b "APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc. Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire Operating Control of Monitoring Center in St. Paul, Minn". Businesswire.com. 2009-10-06. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091006006262&newsLang=en. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "Let the private sector flourish, Romney says". Deseret News. 2009-12-04. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705348945/Romney-visits-Utah-to-celebrate-APX.html. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "APX Alarm Opens Second Central Monitor Station". Business Wire. 2010-04-26. http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20100426005300&newsLang=en. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "Welcome to Security Systems News". Securitysystemsnews.com. http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/?p=article&id=ss200910BZxj2Z. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ http://www.sdmmag.com/articles/86558-2011-sdm-100-the-list
- ^ "Vivint, Inc. Business Review in Provo, UT - Utah BBB". Bbb.org. http://www.bbb.org/utah/business-reviews/security-control-equipment-and-system-monitors/apx-alarm-security-solutions-in-provo-ut-4002276. Retrieved 2011-010-03.
- ^ "APX Alarm plagued by misconduct allegations |". Securityinfowatch.com. http://www.securityinfowatch.com/Alarm+Systems/1290641?pageNum=1. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "Aggressive home security salesmen unnerve Kingwood residents | Houston | Texas News | Texas Cable News | TXCN.com | News for Texas". TXCN.com. 2008-06-05. http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/txcn/houston/stories/khou080604_tj_apxsales.602fa3ea.html. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Be wary of U.S. alarm companies, says BBB - Grande Prairie Daily Herald Tribune - Alberta, CA". Dailyheraldtribune.com. http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1661257. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ http://www.kwch.com/Global/story.asp?S=10442253
- ^ "Shady sales complaints leveled at Apx Security | Bakersfield Now - News, Weather and Sports | News". Bakersfield Now. 2009-07-27. http://www.bakersfieldnow.com/news/51822287.html. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "BBB warns of door-to-door sales complaints : News". CNYcentral.com. 2009-07-14. http://www.cnycentral.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=324368. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "BBB cautions consumers about home security company | WSLS 10". .wsls.com. 2009-06-05. http://www2.wsls.com/sls/business/consumer/article/bbb_cautions_consumers_about_home_security_company/36612/. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "BBB warns WA consumers of alarm company | KING5.com Seattle". King5.com. http://www.king5.com/news/local/60016192.html. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ http://arkansasalarm.org/asp/adobe/2009-09.pdf
- ^ "Alarm company issued "cease and desist" order - WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |". Wafb.com. http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=8490241. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "Vivint | simple, affordable home automation". Apxalarmscam.com. http://www.apxalarmscam.com/. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "J.D. Power and Associates". Jdpower.com. 2008-08-01. http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2008107. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ "J.D. Power and Associates". Jdpower.com. 2009-10-13. http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pressrelease.aspx?ID=2009228. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ http://www.sdmmag.com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000714844
- ^ Sam Scorup - Daily Herald (2008-09-27). "APX Alarm employees sent to aid Ike survivors". Heraldextra.com. http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/article_903e84d9-9d97-5db7-b0e5-166573946329.html. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ [2][dead link]
