Reviews For CPI Security (North & South Carolina)

(Added Aug 12/10) We have had CPI for a little more than 2 years now, and I have to say they have been great. The salesperson was excellent and the installer courteous, professional and very proficient. We have set off the alarm a few times over the past two years. On each occasion a CPI operator was on the line within 60 seconds. They even take the time to periodically call you to make sure they have accurate contact information. I've dealt with other security providers in the past and CPI is in a different league. Many of the complaints on this site seem to be over the contract obligations. CPI was very clear that we were signing a 5 year contract and that we would be responsible for 75% of the remaining amount should we move or cancel. Consumers have to take responsibility for understanding the terms of a contract before signing (but then again I guess that is part of the reason for the current housing crisis).

(Added May 28/10) (CPI Employee) CPI offers both a 36 month and 60 month agreement. The benefit of choosing the 60 month protects you from any price increases that may be passed on due to inflation. CPI also offers the ability to transfer service to a new home owner if you sell your home or move with you to your next home.

(Added Mar 22/10) I too want to write about CPI. We have had them for almost 5 yrs, our sales person was excellent. I would not live without my system. In 4 yrs we have had several times when our systems batteries on windows or doors have been low and called we had techs come out and everyone of them were very nice and professional, they did'nt act like we were a problem for them. When my alarm has went off we had very quick response time no longer than a minute before someone was on the line. we have only had it go off one time when I did'nt accidentally set it off and the cops were here in less than 5 mins. and as to cops not showing up, I feel if someone does try to break in and that alarm goes off it will at the very least send them packing just hearing the alarm. I was told my contract would be for 5 yrs when I signed and have never had rude customer service with any questions I have had. Just want to say without CPI I would get no sleep at night and am very pleased with their company 5 yrs or 10 yrs I think the comfort of the system is worth the contract for their protection and mine!

(Added Mar 4/10) I have read reviews on this site with people complaining about contracts, false alarms, and equipment that was paid for but not completely theirs. I would like to take a minute to praise CPI security....(read the whole review)

(Added Feb 24/10) They require a 60 month contract. That's right, 5 years. Our homebuilder had pre-selected them to....(read the whole review)

(Added Feb 16/10) Had CPI for about 4 years. Twice, I did something stupid that should have brought the cops....(read the whole review)

(Added Feb 16/10) CPI is the most deceptive security company. The sales person will tell you anything - including LIES to get you in. one you are in, you are done. Very expensive, crappy service and It is like a cancer, you can't get rid of it. I for one will NEVER, EVER, EVER use CPI again.

(Added Jan 8/10) Very deceptive company....The sales rep that came to the house was very friendly and told us that although the contract has a certain time frame and stipulations for terminating, CPI is a very small company, locally based and very understanding when problems arise such as job loss, financial hardships, or moving to another house. He said that the company was compassionate to these issues and would allow termination for a flat $100 under these circumstances. I know that I am at fault because I did not get this in writing, but I just wanted to let everyone know that if this statement is made to you, do not believe it. I am suffering through a job loss and contacted CPI to request relief. They were very rude and told me that I was committed to the terms and the only termination right I had was to pay the remaining 75%. If I can't make the monthly payment, I sure can't make the lump-sum 75% payment. I have had to disconnect the phone and by doing so, actually am not protected by CPI. Still have to pay the monthly fee. Just wanted to inform everyone to be aware of misleading information from sales reps and anything offered should be spelled out in detail.

(Added Dec 29/09) I have been with CPI for over 12 years in Raleigh, and have been happy with their service. Now that we want to cancel the service, we too have been told it going to be disabled when they remove the control box. Similar to the comment (Added Sept 18/09), I do not even have the contract any longer, but I sure don't recall that they own the control box all along. NOT HAPPY, and would like to hear if any progress has been made with the NC Dept of Justice or BBB about this. I'm trying to get a copy of my contract so I can review. I should be able to have a functioning alarm system after paying them for 12 years!

(Added Dec 12/09) I have a similar situation with the posts of Aug 3/09. I called today to cancel my service I started in June 2006. The sales rep lead me to believe I had a 36 month contract. My husband has become unemployed and I am trying to get trim costs. He is home all day and we hardly ever use the service as it is. I found out today I had a 60 month contract and have 18 months left on it. If I choose to cancel it will cost me over $400.00. This is crazy and given the fact that so many others seem to think they have a 3 year agreement and find out it is a 5 year agreement, I wonder if this is actually a CPI tactic.

(Added Nov 24/09) I have had the service since 1995. Recently, I have been getting a lot of calls wanting me to 'update my information'. This **** keeps calling during the day (while I'm at work) and refuses to talk to my wife. I have sent them an email stating nothing has changed and if the calls continue, I'll change to another security company. Hopefully this person resume taking their medication and the calls will stop. Other than this problem, service has been great.

(Added Sept 18/09) (Updated Jan 22/10) I purchased a CPI home security system for $495 about 5 years ago with the understanding that....(read the whole review)

(Added Aug 25/09) CPI is a fantastic and reliable company. I completely trust the system, with its speaker capabilities, to protect my home. I have had CPI now for 2 1/2 years. I knew that there was a 60 month agreement when I signed, as I did read the contract. I have no problems with the customer service, in fact, whenever I do call, I am speaking to a live person very quickly. I looked at several companies before choosing CPI, and contract lengths were about the same. I do not expect to "get out" of my contract, for any reason..as I did sign a contract. I am planning to sell my home in the next 8-10 months, and have spoken to them about that process, I was told that I would have to pay for a new system at a new home, but the old system would be left for the new homeowners..this is a feature I plan to sell with the home. The system does, and has always worked great, when I have needed service, they have been very cooperative. I would recommend this company to anyone, and in fact, my parents, and 2 other relatives have been installed within the last year. Please do your research, and do not expect any company, any where to let you out of a contract, as they are signed for a purpose. Know what you are getting into before signing, and you will never have a problem.

(Added Aug 24/09) Shop around before signing with this company. I signed on with CPI last year, and then realized I was moving. I had sold my house and bought a new one. I contacted CPI and notified of them of discontinuing the old service at the house I sold. They told me no problem and to notify them when to come out to the new home. A month later I realized they were still deducting payments from my account. When I contacted them, they stated that they still will deduct payments even though I don't have the system at my new home because I had a 60 month contract and the new owners of my old home have not signed on yet. CPI stated they would have to take out the ADT system of my new home and install all new equipment. This was $370.00. After getting the BBB involved, I still had to pay $1,100.00 to get out of my contract. Be aware and shop around before you sign with them. They are nice when you have them but not when they are not getting their money!

(Added Aug 13/09) We have actually been CPI customers for 6+ years, but when we moved, apparently they locked us into a 60 month contract without outright telling us. It was written in tiny letters on the installer's sheet. He glossed over the stuff and just asked me to sign saying it was installed. I didn't read it as he was standing there, and didn't realize I was agreeing to a 5-year commitment. What's more, if you decide to cancel before the contract is up, you are required to pay 75% of the remaining months' payments (tiny print on the BACK of the contract). This is by far the strictest contract I have ever entered into with a service provider, and to have them not point out what I was agreeing to, I think is outright dirty. How all of this came to my attention is another indication of the level of customer care. I was calling to cancel, telling them that due to tough economic times I was unable to continue the service. They said they understood the economic downturn was affecting everyone, but that made it even more important to protect what is valuable. They went on to say they would possibly be able to give me 2 months at a reduced rate ($10 off). I explained this wouldn't really help, since I needed more ongoing budgetary cutting. Then, they quickly changed their caring, understanding demeanor and informed me that if I cancel, I will have to pay $180. I'm so close to the end of the term that I'm actually considering paying it just so that I don't have to be a CPI customer ever again.

(Added Aug 3/09) We got a system with CPI in 10/06. We were told it was a 36 month contract, but lo and behold, when we checked the contract, in tiny letters it said 60 months. I fought this and after many unpleasant communications, the contract was reduced to 36 months. Then, we moved and we were told it was a TRANSFER. We were told to sign the contract by the installer, even though it said 60 months because he said it would be taken care of in the office, and he didn't have access to the original contract info nor did he know anything about my communication with ***** ***** in the main office. Well, guess what, it was a new contract start date!! They are now telling us we owe them, etc. I have filed a complaint with the BBB. These people are crooks. They say one thing and the contract, in very small letters says something else. I have written to the office of consumer affairs also. By the way, dealing with them is a lesson in obnoxious communication.

(Added June 19/09) I have been a CPI customer for 2 years. I recently moved out of the CPI service area and went to cancel my service. They told me unless the new buyer took over the service, I would owe almost $1500!! They said this was in my contract of service. I remember the sales person "vaguely" touching on this, but of course made it sound very easy to get out of and that the company would be willing to work with me. WRONG!! They won't budge! I could understand if I was moving to another part of the carolinas, but they can not assist me where I have moved! This is ridiculous, maybe it was my neivety as I was new to contracted services, but I feel that I was duped when purchasing from them. So if you are thinking about signing up with CPI please read the fine print and do not get "dazzled" by the fast talk of the sales people!!! You have been warned!

(Added May 27/09) Just had a terrible experience with CPI before we even had the service installed. ****** *******, local salesman came to the house and gave us the spiel. We decided to go with CPI for several reasons, and then when the topic of deposit payment came up, my wife and I explained that we didn't have the money in our bank account at that time because we had just spent so much on moving into our first house. ****** was quick to assure us that it wasn't a problem at all, and that he understood completely. He promised that he would hold the check until the date of installation, which we scheduled for 3 weeks out when we would have plenty of money for the costs. There was an explicit understanding between the 3 people there that the deposit check would be held until then.

A few days later I checked my bank account to find that I was severely overdrafted because the check was cashed. It ruined our finances for the entire next week, and I was furious. I spoke with the sales manager for the area the next day, who informed me that he would not authorize a refund of any of the overdraft fees caused by *****' actions because ***** told him that he didn't remember this part of our discussion. Basically, ***** told us anything he could to make the sale and then disregarded his promises to his customers and did the opposite of what was agreed. And then his manager backed him up in good ol' boy fashion without a moment's hesitance. I admit that I accidentally didn't post-date the check as I should have - My comfort level was high because he was a good salesman.

Overall, really disappointing. I feel duped by obviously shady sales tactics. If this company can't get step 1 correct, how should anyone trust them with the security of their home or business? They won't admit a mistake on their part, for sure. I will never ever recommend this company to anyone.