Note: We are no longer publishing reviews for Brink's/Broadview.

(Added Aug 14/10) I signed a  3 year contract with Brinks in December 2005 it ended in 2008. They automatically renew your contract for another year. You need to let them know, if not you are stuck. It became Broadview Security, and then it was bought out by ADT. I have called many times, but received different answers. The first time I called, they told me that I would have to pay them until August 2011, which I was fine with that. The last called I made, they said that I can cancel services, but I am stuck with the contract that I signed in 2005, until DECEMBER 2011. In other words, I will be paying them for nothing. I understand that I was in a contract but that contract was signed in 2005 with brinks. I was worried about getting burglarized, but BRINKS/BRoadview/ADT are the REAL CROOKS. ...This system is so outdated that a burglar all has to do is cut the phone line and all is left is bells and whistles. So unfair and I wouldn’t’ be surprised if this is legal. But because it is legal it does not make it right. I can’t believe that automatic ONE year contracts are acceptable in this country. They should be illegal!  I have fulfilled my 3 year contract in 2008??

(Added Aug 4/10) I signed a contract with a Brinks reprehensive on April 24, 2006....(read the whole review)

(Added July 11/10) We have had Brinks/Broadview for 10 years. The service during this time was good and sometimes they were very good. They typically responded promptly to my alarms during this time. I have one complaint. We recently moved out of our home and notified Broadview more than 30 days before well sold our home of the date we would end service. When we received the final bill it was a bill for the entire month that we closed. It should have been a partial billing as we did not use the service for the entire month. When I contacted Broadview they told me I would have to pay the entire bill because they were "unable to prorate" the bill. I had to pay the entire bill. Had this been a different time in our ecomony, I would have prorated the bill myself and paid them what I thought was fair. But who needs any negative information on their credit history?  So, I paid the entire bill. So, now that I have moved into my new home guess which security company I will not use?  They should have prorated the bill and treated me fairly especially after all our years of service. Their loss.

(Added June 24/10) I have been w/ Brinks for about 2.5 years in my condo and about a 1 year in a rental house before that.  Always had great experiences.  Twice my alarm has been triggered while I was not at home and both times the cops were promptly dispatched.  I tend to trigger my alarm accidentally at home fairly often and can always count on receiving a call within about a minute.  Today I accidentally set my alarm off and I gave the plural version of my security password.  Even though it was the correct password, just had an extra "S" on the end, they asked me for additional verification information, which was my contacts' phone numbers, which I didn't know off the top of my head.  It took three phone calls from them to get resolved, and I was a bit annoyed that they wouldn't just let it go since I was trying to get to work, but I do really appreciate their persistence in making sure that it was legitimately me and not someone pretending to be me.  I definitely rest easier knowing that help is on it's way if anything should ever happen at home.

(Added June 23/10) Brinks, before they transformed themselves into Broadview, was our alarm company for three years.  Bad was an understatement.  We had one false alarm. It took them 40 min. to call us and ask what to do! Since I'm in law enforcement I said how about calling the police?  The local police put the call on the lowest priority because it's not confirmed. Brinks would not help with the cause of the alarm nor would they send a technician to check.  We finally paid our way out and went with Pinnacle which has two way communication and confirmed breakin so it is a priority 1 call with every police department. Something Brinks STILL does not offer!  Pinnacle also has infared sensors so no wiring and a cellular backup.  Brinks told us we'd we back. Only in a bad dream.

(Added June 2/10) Broadview is a horrible company. Service sucks, our alarm went off and, according to neighbors the cops didn't show up for about 30 minutes (not entirely Broadview's fault I understand)! We could have been dead and cleared out by then! Now our keypad is beeping and these people want us to pay 90 dollars to address the beeping. Save your money, don't make the same mistake we did, get an unmonitored alarm system! BTW, just ignore Broadview's marketing team that visits this site often apparently.

(Added June 1/10) I have been using Brinks/Broadview for the 4+ years and they have been wonderful. The best part is that when your alarm goes off they actually call you, not like the former security system I used - ADT did not call when the alarm went off, did not send police, the money we paid for monitoring was total useless...and now here I am locked into a 3 year contract with a company I have refused to use (because of ADT's purchase of Broadview); even when they quoted lower prices than any other security system and spend more on marketing. I have 2 1/2 years to go on my Broadview contract and I will be counting the days.

(Added May 28/10) We've had Broadview/Brinks for the last seven years, since 2003....(read the whole review)

(Added May 18/10) In May 2009 I looked into getting an alarm system for my home after being....(read the whole review)

(Added May 7/10) Worst company I've dealt with in a long time.  Customer service is rude and unreasonable.  They will not provide documentation of events without a court order.  When asked why I was told that is their policy.  When I asked for a hard copy of this policy, I was told they would not provide it.  They even tried to tell me it wasn't written down.  When challenged about that they just said that's their company policy and they don't share company policy with customers!!!  I asked to speak to someone higher up and I was told I couldn't speak to anyone else.  When I persisted, and it took a long time, I was finally given another name, but told he was unavailable.  This company is an incorported scam.  My next step is the federal monitoring bureau.

(Added Apr 30/10) (Broadview Employee) I'm seeing a lot of customers complaining about their contracts here. First of all....(read the whole review)

(Added Apr 21/10) My parents had Brinks (now Broadview). They are in their late 80's, my Mother had severe Alzheimers and my dad suffers from it as well, both have physical difficulties, my dad had a stroke and has aphasia (difficulty speaking).  Anyhow, my mother started to press buttons on the alarm recently, setting it off.  We knew the code to shut off the alarm but apparently not the phone password and police were sent.  Afterwards, the alarm would continue to beep very loudly every 30 seconds.  Broadview REFUSED to send out a service person because no one knew the phone code!!!  Now they won't turn it off either.  Just seriously plain really BAD customer service (they were rude on top of it all) and their way of taking our money.

(Added Apr 21/10) Awful! Completely awful!  My control panel stopped receiving power and....(read the whole review)

(Added Apr 21/10) Had Brinks install system three years ago.  Wires were installed over carpet tac strips. (Needless to say tacs punctured wire) Speaker was installed so closet door hits speaker.  Carpet was not put back down against wall.  Tried three times to talk with rep.  No one ever called.  When I canceled after the end of contract Broadview disabled system so I can't use it unmonitored.  Apparently they retain ownership of equipment.  Think twice before going with Broadview.

(Added Apr 21/10) A sales rep came to my house to give my husband and I the breakdown for services. He informed us that if we go with the premier package this included 24 hour monitoring and security response. But what he failed to mention was it was 40.00 EVERY time the unarmed guard came out. So alarm went off due to their inability to install properly on 3 occassions. I was not home, they did not contact me but they sent a guard out. Checked the mail and it was a paper in the mailbox. I contacted Broadview and informed them that the sales rep never said that I had to pay for the guard to come out and they said well ma'am there is not much we can do. He assured my husband and I we weren't locked into a contract low and behold were in a 3 year contract with these idiots. I have nothing good to say about them. I don't mind paying my bills when you are honest and upfront with me in the beginning. I tried to cancel the contract but was told I would still pay the monthly fee for the remainder of the 3 years. They are a rip off and I can't wait for me to get out this contracted. If I didn't love my credit score I would tell them to kiss where the sun don't shine and hang up the phone.

(Added Apr 12/10) (Updated July 19/10) My Broadview alarm system developed a bad sensor which kept setting off the alarm.  When Broadview was contacted by me to schedule a repair, they said it could only be repaired on a Thursday in my area.  So, I was left unprotected for 5 days until it could be repaired.  If they could not provide adequate security to my area, including repairs, all the time, why did they install the system in the first place?  Why?-for the $$.  Broadview is the worst and when my contract is up in a few months, I am going to seek another security provider. Update: Finally, after weeks of being unprotected by the faulty sensor, it was replaced.  My opinion still stands:  the sensor should have been replaced immediately instead of allowing my home to go unprotected for so long.  I guarantee if one of the executives at Broadview had a bad sensor, it would have been replaced immediately so their multi-million dollar estate would have been fully protected at all times.

(Added Apr 6/10) (Broadview Employee) As a Broadview employee, I can tell you that most of these accusations are completely false and probably written by ADT employees or dealers.  I know this company and these comments are so far out there... It's comical.

(Added Apr 6/10) (Updated July 19/10) My prior home owner had system installed with lot of options. When re-activating it Brinks said I will need to replace few things & gave $300+ quote. I paid & got the system re-installed.  Security system works very well. Had 2 mishaps since and both the time I got call from brinks within 2 minutes.  Only problem is with customer service dept. At the time of activating it tech guy said we need to get basement barrier bar replaced & included $80 in our work order. But since he did not have the part with him he said call brinks & get it installed later.  After week we called & new tech guy came with all the parts BUT realized that existing bar is just loose & fixed the same.  But Brinks has not removed $80 from my bill is asking me to pay it. For last 2 bills that charge is showing up. I tried calling 3 times and every time for some reason they are dodging this issue. I even spoke to Manager on Duty and have his extension and emp id. But no use. Today I have written them an email & waiting for the answer. Will post the reply as soon as I get it. Update: The issue has been resolved, with help of sales person & 3 follow-ups.

(Added Apr 5/10) I don't even know where to start. A Broadview representative left my husbands and my social security number and credit card number and all of our information on our front porch in a folder. They did not tell us about the 3 year contract and the $1644 fee involved if the contract for the 3 years was not kept. I canceled the installation appointment and then they proceeded to charge our credit card for the monthly fee and the installation fee even though we never received any of the services. I would not recommend this company as they are quite deceptive and unhelpful when attempting to get issues resolved.

(Added Mar 4/10) Beware when they say you own the system!  We have had Brinks monitored system for 5 yrs now.  We were told that after 2-3 yrs we own the system.  I recently looked into having another company monitor our system for a much lower cost.  To my surprise, the Brinks system is proprietary and cannot be used by other companies.  They don't use any of the standard brand systems that are easily converted and monitored by another company.  In order words, unless brinks is the monitoring company it is useless.  I will have to purchase a new alarm system and 3 new pads to go with another company.  Now I am really determined to get rid of it.  I can't stand deceptive practices.

(Added Mar 4/10) Last year when I was out for a girls night out, my sister was babysitting my children. My son opened the back door and the alarm sounded. Brinks calls me and informs me that they turned the alarm off for the babysitter. I was mad! How could they offer to turn off the alarm without speaking to me first. My sister could have been anyone off the street who convinced them that she was babysitting. So I have them notify the police any time an alarm sounds without the code word. But what's the point of having a code word if they just turn off the alarm for anyone?

(Added Mar 3/10) I'm very happy with Broadview.  We were with Brinks for 3-5 years and the transition to Broadview was transparent.  No problems.  Later, we lost some of our window contacts during a replacement window project and Broadview agreed to rebuild our security system at no cost if we agreed to a 3 year contract at a reduced rate.  They've treated us very fairly, enough where I am writing this review which I wouldn't normally take the time to do.

(Added Feb 13/10) (Updated May 17/10) Do not EVER buy a Brinks or Broadview product.  After 8 years of timely payments we chose to not renew our annual contract with them as I had lost my job.  First, they "auto renew" and say they are going to bill us for the new year anyway.  Second, when we installed the system the salesman told us that after the 3 years the system would be ours.  After paying them for 8 years, they now LOCK and DISABLED the system so that it doesn't even chime anymore when the doors are opened or closed and is fully non-functional.  The siren is in the attic and is also now useless.  Brinks, now Broadview, is simply an EVIL EVIL company.  The cost of the equipment in our house is a very small fraction of what we have paid them; they have made back their investment many times over. Update: It has not been resolved. That is their business model.... screw the customer.  I have had no communications from them, other then a form letter wanting me to reinstate my service.

(Added Feb 12/10) Buyer Beware!!  Broadview Security/Brinks will not support their systems even if you have been with them for 6 years and have been paying the $5 per month support fee.  Our system stopped reporting to Broadview in September of 2009 and we did not find until November that there was a problem.  Because we had recently switched phone companies Broadview said they would come out and troubleshoot the system unless we paid them $99 an hour.  Over the past 6 years we have paid $360 for the ability to have them come service our system at no charge, which ultimately counts for nothing.  Also at the time we signed the contract we were told it was for 3 years.  As it turns out once your 3 years are up they sign you automatically to a year to year contract and will not let you out of it.  Broadview Security will not back up it's systems.  We switched to ADT.  During the install ADT discovered that several windows in our home that were supposed to have been alarmed had never been set up and were not secure.  Beware of Broadview Security!!!  I am an agent for the countries 5th largest homeowner and auto insurer and I will tell all of my clients to NOT do business with Broadview as well as all of my family, neighbors and friends.

(Added Jan 31/10) I have been a customer of Broadview for two months now and I am extremely disappointed with their customer service.  When our system was installed, I filled out a permit application (required by the city of Dallas), paid the application fee, and an additional "convenience" fee to have Broadview submit the paperwork.  About a month later I got a letter from Broadview saying that I did not have a permit and Dallas police would not send anybody to my house if there was an emergency because my alarm is in violation of city ordinances.  I called Broadview everyday for six days (sometimes calling twice in a day) about this matter and never got a return call. They gave me every excuse in the book as to why nobody has called me back.  I finally contacted the City of Dallas myself to resolve this matter, but I am sure that I will never get my application fee or convenience fee back from Broadview.  So, if you do decide to go with Broadview you should submit your own application for a permit if it is required in your city.  And, DO NOT expect to get a phone call back if you contact customer service.

(Added Jan 31/10) I am so disappointed in this service.  I installed an alarm for both my property and my rental property, signing a 3 year contract.  I just recently switched phone providers and my alarm system is now no longer working.  When I called Brinks to ask if they could come around to take a look, I was told I would be charged 90$ / hour!!!!  I pay for this service monthly, have a contract and have been a loyal customer.  For them to expect me to potentially have to pay hundreds of dollars for my service to continue working is ridiculous and short sighted.  I am very ready to find another provider for this service who would treat me like a valued customer.

(Added Jan 30/10) Lousy. Installed 2 weeks ago wireless (i.e. cell backup), has never worked properly.  Problems they claim with the wireless connection although I can surf the web just fine all over with two different wireless computers.  They only work Monday-Friday for service between 8 and 5; they didn't accurately record the type of equipment I have so for every time I've had to call them (alarm is shrieking) I have to go through explaining - again - that I only have a keypad system, not one with an LED or LCD screen and they won't note it.  I finally ended up disconnecting the system entirely because they couldn't get anyone out for 3-4 days and after being up all night I couldn't listen to that noise anymore.  Horrible product, lousy service.  Beware.

(Added Jan 20/10) Suddenly various keys on the keypad do not work. The system does not turn on. For $90.00 Broadview will look at it. I do not trust them because I suspect the system has been incapacitated at a higher level. I would like to know if other customers are having similar problems. Please blog. thanks

(Added Jan 9/10) I have completed my three year obligation to Broadview and had to cancel the service for two months due to the economy.  I had several breakins two months prior to my contract being up, the alarm sounded both times but noone from Broadview monitoring desk, called to confirm the alarm.  Very bad customer service.  When I tried to reactivate my service, I was told.."it is a $90.00 re-activation fee and a new three year obligation.  Now let me see...sign up with Broadview for three years with the same old equipment or go with a new provider ADT??? and get newer equipment alone with the three year obligation.  It's the principal at this point.

(Added Dec 30/09) Paid this company three years cash in advance for service. Due to disability had to sell home move into apartment. After 1 and 1/2 years still have not recieved difference in balance which I paid to this company. I have called them at least once a month and followed all their instructions and yet they still keep my money for a service which they no longer provide. I wanted a system to keep the criminals out, not let them inside to false represent policies. Do not fall for sales pitch or any promises this company makes...And never pay in advance thinking you are dealing with a company of integrity. This company does not care about customers or future customers.

(Added Dec 29/09) (Updated Mar 24/10) I feel that Broadview Security did a bait and switch operation on me.  I needed an upgrade....(read the whole review)

(Added Dec 29/09) (Updated Mar 29/10) We have been Broadview/Brinks customers for almost nine years, but we would recommend you avoid the company due to their customer service.  We have a wireless system, and have been paying a monthly fee ($5) for a service contract since we started with Brinks.  The fee and the service contract were carried over once the switch to Broadview was made.  We just discovered, during a recent service call, that one of our components is not working, and cannot be fixed, as the part is no longer made.  Broadview is insisting that we sign a three year agreement in order to get a replacement.  They are not honoring their service contract because the part is no longer made.  No one will can give us an explanation as to why our service contract, which we are still being charged for, does not cover a replacement.  If not, why did they continue to charge for the contract once they no longer stocked the component?  We will not continue with Broadview, and warn others against them as well. Update: After many phone calls, we were finally able to have our contract honored and the non-working components replaced.  While we continue to use Broadview, I still caution others against it.  The amount of effort it took to receive the service we paid for far exceeded what we consider reasonable. We just did not want to have to go through having our entire system replaced in order to change to another company - especially after having invested so much time and money in Broadview.

(Added Dec 12/09) Brinks has such old technology, but they tell you that they have been using a very traditional kind of approach! It is very funny to say that being traditional is a good thing since this is the kind of industry just like other high tech ones. Do cell phone providers tell the consumers that they have the old kind of phones and services? This company has be way behind the time and has been refusing to invest and has been amazingly lucky to charge no less than its competitors.  I have been an ADT customer for eleven years and recently dealing with Brinks (since the new house was pre-wired with Brinks system).  I am an electric engineering consultant for twenty years, and I know how these systems are supposed to be.  P.S. Brinks system will work locally as a stand-alone alarm system only for your neighbors to know if your alarm is set off.  If you are not in contract, your system is completely dead.

(Added Dec 12/09) I love Brinks/Broadview. The saleslady was very polite, and not pushy at all! She even came out and gave me an estimate for free, when other companies were trying to charge me for an estimate!!! With approved credit, I only paid $49 dollars for my install, and only $29.99 a month for my monitoring. I've already referred 2 of my friends, and they are signing up also. That will save me $100 on my monthly monitoring! It doesn't get much better than Broadview. And to those of you complaining, if you only would have read your contract, you probably would still be pleased with your service.

(Added Dec 4/09) Stay away from these guys.  We had an alarm monitoring contract renewable yearly.  Our alarm system kept breaking down and they had to return no less than 5 times for the same problem in the first 3 months.  Each time we paid another service fee AND we had to take 1/2 day off work,  They refused to come on Saturday saying that they only did alarm installations on Saturday, not alarm repair.  Our alarm system never did get fixed and I could not afford to continue to take 1/2 days off to wait for the repairman and pay an additional service fee each time they came out only to have it break down within 2 or 3 days.  Broadview continued to collect the monitoring fee for a broken alarm system.  Then had the nerve when the contract ran out to insist I pay for an additional 6 months.  Their excuse was that I should have called to tell them I was not renewing a contract to monitor a broken alarm system!  I asked for a copy of the contract that states it automatically renews each year.  Just as they never provided me a working alarm system, they never provided me a copy of the contract as promised.

(Added Nov 24/09) (Updated Feb 23/10) After having Brinks for 2 1/2 years, I receive a call stating they need to speak with me regarding tower service for my wireless system.  I am told that they may not be able to use the same tower that currently covers Troy, Michigan. It may or may not be affected in the next 30 days or even permanently.  Then I'm told I can switch to landline or internet.  If I wanted those choices I probably wouldn't have been paying a premium price already guys.  My other option is to receive back the original $200 installation charge & they will now rebill at $295 for new wireless equipment for another tower. Also, the monthly rate will now be higher.  They can waive that if I want another 3 year contract.  I already prepaid them till the end of my contract- this is a breach of contract.  Is there anyone else this has happened to who has looked into the legalities of this companies policies on changing signed contracts? Update: It hasn't been handled.  The company is clueless & have not returned a call. I think the public should know how stupid their policies are.

(Added Nov 16/09) I got Broadview about 3 months ago. The system wasn't working, so the installer found out that he had put a staple through a phone line. Then I asked him to replace it and he wouldn't. He asked me if I wanted the protection plan, I said no then he says "well that staple in that line up there might mess it up". So I felt like I got bullied into it. Now the Alarm goes off all the time and the cops come and it sucks. So now I'm trying to get out of the 3 yr agreement.

(Added Oct 15/09) New to Broadview (Brinks until 7/1/9 I guess).  Very happy with the sales rep. and the install.  No pressure, much better pricing than ADT, and quick and good work wiring it all together.  Some people complain in general about the cost of a 3 yr deal and not being able to get out of it.  However, for $99 I got a very good system and 6 hours of labor to install.  Not a bad price and their monthly (rate) is lower than ADT.

(Added Oct 6/09) I noticed a bunch of customers that are/were with Broadview security complaining that they feel they should be let out of an OBLIGATION THAT THEY SIGNED bevause of hardship...I ask them did the BMW let them forget they owed on leases...did their mortgage company obsolve them...Brinks/Broadview has a great reputation...it's obvious that alot of these customers don't own up to commitments. If you decide to get rid of your landline to save money, why shouldn't you have to pay a security company for putting a means of communication in your house and charging you for the cell air time that the security company has the pay the cell companies..that's called good smart business..have a rep from each company come to your home and you will see why Broadview is far superior.

(Added Oct 5/09) I purchased the $99 system as I saw advertised. However, I added quite a few more items, and the total was $1032.00. Monthly charge is $38 ($34 monitoring, $4 replacement warranty). The gentlemen came late in the day at about 1pm. He finished well past his time of 9pm (8-5 schedule). I was happy with the installation for all intents and purposes. The only thing that upset me was that he took five minutes to teach it to me. I thought it would be in the little booklet he gave me. It was not. So, I basically am learning this on trial-and-error. After all is said and done, I learned everything within twenty four hours. However, I wish I would have been shown more. I cannot gripe really, since he made a sacrifice for me and worked past his shift. Realistically, once you use common judgement, it is not hard to learn. However, if you get this installed, take your pet into consideration. The tech was nice enough to set the sensors closer to midwall (five feet), so my Pekinese will not set it off.

(Added Sept 30/09) (Updated Jan 31/10) Originally purchased alarm system from Brink's.  We sold home and because we signed 3 year contract....(read the whole review)

(Added Sept 23/09) I have had Brinks for the last 6 years and I have never had a need to call in an event.  When I set up the account apparently they did not use the right code.  Now that I have an event I tried to get resolved they absolutely refuse to help without that code word.  Instead of having an alternate method of identifying you they insist on this code only.  We are renovating and therefore cannot get to the original paperwok.  I was told that I could sit there and guess the code as many times as I wanted. How reassuring is this?  I have an alarm that goes off unless the system is disabled.  To change anyhting it has to be done in writing; so helpful when you have an alarm going off.  The customer service people are a joke.  Instead of trying to help a long-term customer and having a better I.D. process I have had to deal with this malfunctioning system for weeks.  I finally cancelled my direct pay.  This got their attention but were still no more helpful.  I am hoping that ADT will be bettter!!!!

(Added Sept 9/09) Very disappointed with service.  System is 1 year old.  First the power supply was bad - almost melting hot, took two weeks to be replaced.  Came back from 2 vacations only to find out the telephone communication was faulty, i.e. the home was not protected during that time!  Now the telephone communication is faulty again, and it will take over 2 weeks to get the repair.  So much for a sense of urgency from a home security company!

(Added Aug 24/09) I was reading some of the complaints and disgust about Broadview Security. Well there is not a perfect company out there, but....(read the whole review)