ComplaintsforModern Systems Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  08/31/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I sent the following message to ******* ********, Office Manager, Modern Systems, Inc. on August 30, 2022: "I'm sorry that you didn't notify me it was a service contract for four years. That is unbelievable for a lake house that I have never lived in or plan to live in. I live in Florence, Kentucky, not even in your county. Why would I ever have agreed to a four-year contract. I was just looking for a security system because of the break-ins that happened in the house before I got the security system. I am on a fixed income as a retiree of the military after serving over four decades, and this is the thanks I get. Is there anyway you can just keep all the items I have purchased from you and cancel this contract? I can't afford to pay this for a house that I don't live in. And then if I sell it and the buyers don't want an extended contract, which they probably won't, I will have to pay you even after selling the house. I would have never entered a contract for four years knowing I was going to sell the lake house." I never would have entered a four-year contract for a lake house that I was never going to live in or use. Modern Systems never told me that it was a four-year contract or I would not have signed it. I don't know if the salesman forgot to tell me, but it should be something Modern emphasizes to the customer so that they will know what they are getting into. There is no way that I can afford this. The house is on the market and even if sell it, I will still be stuck with this contract. It is just common sense that I would have never signed a contract for four years when I planned to fix up the house and sell it. I only needed the security to keep thieves out while I was fixing up the house.

  

  Business response

  09/02/2022

  We regret that you did not understand the terms of the agreement. I have included a copy for your convenience. It is signed twice and initialed twice. 
  
  It's standard for our industry to charge a low install price that seldom covers our installation labor. Price typically starts anywhere from  $99.00 to $189.00. It can go up from depending on the level of protection. It can take two-plus years for us to reach the break-even point. Had we offered a system for a shoter period, the initial cost would've been much higher.  
  
  We will be happy to transfer the balance of the terms of the agreement should the next homeowner continue the service. However, if not, we will discount the remaining balance by fifty percent. 
  
  Should this be acceptable, please get in touch with our office manager ******** at 800-252-7664. 
  
  

  Customer response

  09/02/2022

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because the four-year provision was on the last page of the contract, which I don't even remember.  I know I initialed and signed, but it was never made clear to me it was a long-term service contract for four years.  Why would I even sign for that knowing that I wasn't going to use or keep the property?

  I'm assuming that 50% off the remaining 32 months would amount to @ $52.95 x 32 / 2 = $847.20.  I have already paid about $1,300 for this equipment.  In order for me to agree with your offer, I need an itemized list of the cost of this equipment you say you are losing money on.  I would even be willing to return the equipment which has not been damaged.

   

  Sincerely,
  
  ****** *****

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩