SecurityBud

Review: SecurityBud appears to be a fly by night operation. As a preliminary matter (see all my substantive points below for details), Security Bud consists of apparently just two people, [redacted] and his wife [redacted], who masquerades around as his "staff." The telephone number provided for Security Bud connects through to [redacted]'s cell phone and she usually answers it while driving. My wife and I checked and relied on the [redacted] reviews before engaging [redacted] and [redacted]. But, the reviews on [redacted] are misleading to say the least. First, the installers failed to use quality connectors and even installed poor connections. The ethernet cables were miswired (they connected the small wires in the ethernet cable in the wrong order onto the ethernet plug). And, the installers left without properly setting up the web protocols. They claimed it was my internal internet web protocols that they "had nothing to do with." The cameras would intermittently go online and offline at home. So, I couldn't fully use the system when they were done. I later found out that Security Bud had miswired the ethernet cables. I found this out because I engaged another security company to fix the mess that Security Bud created. The new security company I hired used a small device that told them which small wires in the ethernet cable were connected in the right or wrong order. Security Bud either did not have one of those small, low cost devices or did not care to use it. Second, Security Bud ran an extension cord from my furnace wall plug up the wall through the ceiling and into a bedroom closet to the DVR and camera fuse box. But, the furnace wall plug had only one outlet, so they plugged in a small three prong electrical plug adapter. The furnace was then plugged into the plug adapter with the extension cord that ran to the DVR. This caused my furnace to keep failing. Obviously, the makeshift electrical patchwork was not compliant with the building code and posed A SERIOUS FIRE RISK. Third, Security Bud decided to place the DVR and fuse box in a bedroom closet, above the built in shelves, where it was difficult to reach and access. They could have easily installed it in the hallway, where there was desk, but they didn't give me any options on the location. While using a mirror, I later saw how poorly they had organized the wiring above the shelf. Fourth, the installers were not very careful to keep my home clean or even protected. Among other things, my wood flooring was damages and my wall paint dirtied in places where there was no installation work. Security Bud did not clean it up.Fifth, after confronting [redacted] with the situation, [redacted] "apologized" and claimed the installation was "a learning experience" from which he has "learned a lot." I told him that I didn't want someone who was learning on my home to stall my security system which I needed and relied upon for my family's protection and security. I wanted someone experienced and with good reviews. And that's why all these [redacted] reviews appear false to me. They must be his friends from high school or something. Finally, I proposed to return his no-name brand DVR (which cost the same as quality name brands). [redacted] agreed to reimburse me for the DVR and the costs to hire another security company to fix my installation. I relied on his agreement and incurred the cost of a new DVR and the cost to hire another security company. When I sent [redacted] the invoice from the new security company (consisting of the cost of the new DVR and labor time, which was a small fraction of the labor time [redacted] charged), [redacted] said he needed to pay me in two or three installments and I agreed. BUT, that was well over two months ago and I have received no installments. Recently, one of the security cameras Security Bud installed went out. So, I then remembered that Security Bud had not made any installments to me. When I called Security Bud, [redacted] answered the call and she appeared to be her cell phone while driving. [redacted] told me [redacted] was sick and she'd let him know I called. I notified her that one of the cameras was out and should still be under manufacturer warranty. All I wanted was for [redacted] to drop off a new camera when he picked up his no-name brand DVR, which was still sitting in my garage. Three days later, I had no return call. I called the Security Bud and [redacted] answered while driving her car. [redacted] said [redacted] had my message but was out in the field. [redacted] then got irate, hostile, demeaning and hung up on me when I told her I did not appreciate being ignored. [redacted] then sent me a snide, childish and unprofessional email that claimed their lawyer would call me. She did not identify the lawyer or provide their contact information. I wonder why...Desired Settlement: Refund the rework, as agreed and promised.