Pinnacle Security Ex-Employee: This is a MUST READ FOR EVERYONE CONSIDERING PINNACLE SECURITY New York City New York

Hi everyone! Also an ex-employee of Pinnacle, LLC. Everything the first guy said is mostly true. I feel pretty terrible for all of the systems that I sold. 

I also left early and forfeited my back-end pay, but I knew exactly what I was doing. They do not hide the fact that if you breach contract, you will lose your back-end pay. At least not in the office where I was working.

As far as the deception at the door goes, the first guy hit the nail pretty much on the head. My office was still deceptive, but more careful with their words so that one could snake their way out of it if being pursued on the lies told. The take-over, what we called the "switch pitch," made me feel so slimy every time I was put in that situation. I was even told to take a sharpie, and black out the pinnacle embroideries on my hats, and to cover the pinnacle sign on my shirt with my binder while at a door, turn sideways, and point to the GE embroidery on my shoulder. 

"Hi, I'm with pinnacle and GE, (GE is emphasized in that statement) GE is the company that made the security system in your house. We are just in the area updating some of the systems that we have found some weaknesses in, trying to make sure that we continue to keep your family safe."

This statement is technically true, but incredibly deceptive. The cell primary does lack a weakness that the older systems have. They are updating systems. That being said, I'm obviously not with just GE, and I'm about to wrap you up in a three year contract with you barely even knowing what happened. 

"You've had that in there about three years now, right?"

If they say less, you tell them they are good to go, because the typical contract is three years. If they say yes or more, you say "Oh ya, we probably need to replace that". Make up a random model, ask if that's it, they won't know. Then you ask two completely frivolous questions about their system, point in their house, say "Let's take a look," and walk by them and lead them through their own house.  

I do however, also agree with the statement that it is hard to make sure everything is on the up and up when you have that many employees. That could be fixed by being more selective in the hiring process though, rather than recruiting anyone and everyone. 

I don't feel that I got ripped off financially by Pinnacle, but I do feel that a fair portion of my soul and innocence was thieved from me. I learned a lot about the psychology of selling, and I learned a lot about people, even though I've been in the sales industry for years. I learned a lot about being more careful when selecting an employer too!

I do also realize that part of this was my fault. I was seduced by Pinnacle like a drunk girl at a Tom Petty concert. Let's face it, I lied. Even though they taught me to and urged me to, I still stood on people's doorsteps and deceived them. I tricked people into choosing my product rather than another one. That's not sales. That's not a win, and I will never be the same person I was before a simple summer job forced me to do that to so many people to make a quick buck.

I'm also fairly interested in seeing how that class action suit is going. Whether or not I'd be a part of it, I'd love to pick your brain.

I know most of the people on here are former reps. I am a former technician who because we went 2 months without any sales last summer became up to my neck in debt. You all make me feel good that I am not the only dissatisfied employee.

I was wondering if anyone knew if pinnacle actuall enforces their Noncomp or not so I can try and get a job with a different company?

I am also an ex-employee, having left Pinnacle for a competitor I find to be far more honest and friendly with it's customers.

That being said, I feel the need to point out that when you hire in volumes that most security companies do, it's difficult to manage everyone perfectly. Everyone will have some of the good, the bad, and the ugly. (ha ha). Pinnacle Security systems work about as well as most of their competitors, and they have a good response time. The employees dealing with customers are USUALLY at least proficient and not completely corrupt, but I have noticed more bad eggs at Pinnacle than other businesses I've worked for. (and I've been a car salesman, so i've seen some bad ones!)

It is an indisputable fact that Pinnacle has been seriously targeted by the Government for unfair business practices- I've witnessed the aftermath of some of it firsthand. I even had difficulty pulling my final paycheck from them, and was dealt with upon news of my leaving with an air of hostility. But my personal issues aside- Pinnacle has been in trouble for bad business practices before. Look up the BBB report on them. It's pretty bad, and from personal experience with them, I strongly encourage Buyer Beware!

I am also an ex-employee, having left Pinnacle for a competitor I find to be far more honest and friendly with it's customers.

That being said, I feel the need to point out that when you hire in volumes that most security companies do, it's difficult to manage everyone perfectly. Everyone will have some of the good, the bad, and the ugly. (ha ha). Pinnacle Security systems work about as well as most of their competitors, and they have a good response time. The employees dealing with customers are USUALLY at least proficient and not completely corrupt, but I have noticed more bad eggs at Pinnacle than other businesses I've worked for. (and I've been a car salesman, so i've seen some bad ones!)

It is an indisputable fact that Pinnacle has been seriously targeted by the Government for unfair business practices- I've witnessed the aftermath of some of it firsthand. I even had difficulty pulling my final paycheck from them, and was dealt with upon news of my leaving with an air of hostility. But my personal issues aside- Pinnacle has been in trouble for bad business practices before. Look up the BBB report on them. It's pretty bad, and from personal experience with them, I strongly encourage Buyer Beware!

I've been a door to door sales person for five summers now. I've sold Pest Control for four summers, and Security Systems with Pinnacle Security this previous summer. I've always had my own way to sell products door to door and I haven't changed it. I've witnessed the liars, the deceivers, and the unethical sales rep. I personally have only found real success by being straight forward and honest with people and when I help my managers train and I teach them what I've learned. Consumers are always grateful when everything is laid out in plain English and easy to understand. I always say with confidence every aspect of the contract I am currently selling because I personally believe in it. I've done my own research into the products I am selling and the competition I'm working against. I chose to sell for Pinnacle Security for a few reasons:

Everything that this person stated at the beginning of this thread is true (even though he kind of sounded high and mighty in his writing - no offense, dude). I worked for Pinnacle Security 2 summers ago and I feel pretty bad about the tactics that I was taught to use. I sold a system to a disabled woman and felt pretty bad about it because I know that I said some things that were dishonest (trying to use the tactics taught to me by both of my manager). That's why I had to quit, I felt slimy. And, yes, I could have ignored these tactics and tried to sell my own honest way, but I would rather make money for a company that encouraged me to be honest than to make money for a dishonest company. One of my old managers doesn't even work for them anymore, from what I understand. I'm not sure why, haven't contacted him to ask him yet, but I am curious as to why he left the company that he was so over-excited to work for.  

I had a friend who also worked in another state tell me that he was talking with one of the owners on the phone because he was doing really well in sales, but was concerned about some sales tactics that were taught to him (my friend is a deeply religious person, in my opinion), and the owner started quoting Bible scriptures to him to justify why they use these dishonest tactics.......Honestly, I don't know how true that is because I heard it 2nd hand, but that really creeps me out when I think about it.

I just have a really dark feeling when I think about this company. My advice would be to avoid them. I'm sure there's some more honest security companies to work for where you could make just as much, and do it honestly.     

I have been waiting for a rebuttal from three different companies (including this one), all concerning the same contract, due to it being sold so many times.  My contract originally started with Pinnacle Home Security.  The door to door sales person came to my house the month we moved in.  I explained our situation to her, we were on a land contract with the builder until title was clear and house was completed.  She then checked with her supervisor Ty, who "OK- ed" a 12 month contract.  When filling out the contract, the sales person purposely had me not mark areas to accommodate this change.  I did call SAI well after the 12 months to cancel.  Now, after 2 1/2 years I am getting calls from a collection agency (Anderson Crenshaw and Associates- Whom I will add are BOTTOM DWELLERS)  representing the third company to purchase contract.  I have never received anything from this company on this issue....ever.    I had to resort to filing with the Attorney General, and the BBB.  This is where I was able to receive a copy of my contact.  When I compared the two (mine and theirs) there were 15 things altered, changed, or added.  After explaining this to all companies involved, now of course, it's none of there concern-unless payment is involved.  And they still want me to pay.  Finally Pinnacle Customers service informed me that due to not having any record on file, I needed to get in touch with their Legal Departments,  William Hill.   BUT, he can ONLY be reached be mail ?!?!  WHAT????  Address given is Pinnacles Corporate Office in Orem UT.  I would love to personally contact the Legal Office....HOW??

Ben I just started dealing with this company.  I have a contract that has been changed, altered, and/or added to 15 different times.  If I can be of any help, Please let me know.

Ben I just started dealing with this company.  I have a contract that has been changed, altered, and/or added to 15 different times.  If I can be of any help, Please let me know.

Apparently you have too much time on your hands. The time it spent you complaining for as long as you did (I couldn't even stand reading more than half) you could've spent it doing something more constructive. I don't have nearly as much time as you but I will try to be concise:

First of all, quit trying to impress people by being a sesquipedalian. Go look it up. Most of your words were misused anyway.

Second, having sold alarms for 3 years working for Pinnacle (1 year) and Platinum (2 years), I'm going to guess you were the judgemental unsuccessful kid who sold 35 because you either didn't work hard or didn't posess the ability to produce and now it's easier for you to lash out and finger-point and blame to "deflect", as you would put it, your failure.

Third, I will completely agree there is a mass amount of misrepresentation and dishonestly in Pinnacle, in home security sales, and in door-to-door period. I don't agree with it, and as a manager I never taught it. It only ends up cathcing up with the rep in the end anyway. But don't pool everyone that sells security in to your idea of what this industry teaches.

You need to do some more research on the sales industry in general. Sales is about packaging and presenting. That's not dishonest. Advertising is the same thing as selling you moron! It is not unethical to tell someone you are advertising when you are selling. Selling=Advertising!

I no longer sell home security. I did so for 3 years selling over 500 personal accounts and managing over 2300. I understand the dishonesty and greed that runs through that industry, but you were exposed to a small part of it. They are very good leaders and owners that do preach ethics. Don't be so narrow minded.

We are preparing a class action law suit against Pinnacle Securities. Please contact me with any/all complaints against the company from customers to employees.

Ben

I am sure that the sales rep who is thoroughly exhuberant about Pinnacle Security has nothing to worry about, if they are honest. The cautions offered to this great consumer site is for the digestion of the potential customers.

If you have integrity, then you should make sales without the coaxing tactics that riegn pervasively throughout the Pinnacle structure. Kudos to you for your honesty, Mr. or Mrs. Sales Rep. Despite reading like a advertiser, I trust that you believe you handle yourself with principle.

To the potential customers: Judge carefully before you join Pinnacle Security.

I've been working as a Sales Rep for Pinnacle for a while now and have nothing but good things to say about them, so far. I love having my own Pinnacle System and enjoy selling them. I don't doubt that there are "shady" reps (managers, marketing directors, advertising managers etc) that sell for Pinnacle. However, from the training I went through and the practices I use, everyone knows that I'm a sales rep. I don't tell them I'm a "manager" or "from the police department," because I'm not either of those. I'm NOT an Area or Regional Manager. I'm a simple "sales rep." I don't work during the summer only. I work a couple of hours per day and work 90% of my business off of referrals. So far, I have NOTHING bad to say about Pinnacle Security as a company. I enjoy selling and I enjoy the product. I pay $46.99 per month (no, I don't feel like I got "duped"). There are always 2 sides to every story.

Thanks, Pinnacle!

As I expected, Pinnacle Security would try their best to a change a story to suit their selfish desires.

First, let me set the record firmly on the side of veracity. Folks, there indeed was an advancement that I submitted to the Corporate Offices. HOWEVER, the advancement in pay IS NOT really an advancement to begin with. You see, to be specific, the advancement I submitted through discombobulated management--due to their shoddy training practices that forgot to oblige their employees specific information about how to siphon out the "free" points to buyers--was actually an advancement off of MY BACKEND EARNINGS. Let me be clear here: The money that I asked for was money that I ALREADY EARNED. What makes this assault on my character laughable is this fact: The money I earned in the backend--which will help Pinnacle Security a lot more than it will help me--were earnings "VOIDED because of a small detail in the contract I signed (yes, I had to sign a contract with Pinnacle Security too--this is yet another reason why this company is very poor). In my contract I forfeited ALL of my backend earnings when I left the company. A sales rep with Pinnacle makes 3/4 of their total earnings in the backend (this money is held in the backend just in case cancellations occur--which usually represents a VERY small percentage of the aggregate backend). Do not be fooled by Pinnacle's corporate posturing, Pinnacle Security has made a WHOLE lot more money from my energy than I will ever receive from them. If I lost ALL of my backend earnings, 75 percent of my earnings to be acute, then how am I ripping off Pinnacle Security? Friends, I have been ripped off, but that has never mattered as much as smug business practices.

Second, the advancement I received from my OWN MONEY was actually allotted to my account BEFORE my plane ticket was bought to leave New York City and return to Florida. A couple points to mention. First, I knew that I was going to lose a whole lot of money leaving Pinnacle Security. This is the crux: I am always willing to ensure my character and integrity is fostered before money comes into the picture. I was duped by a company that wasted a lot of my time making themselves rich--which is also crookedly perpetrated on the regular people who would prefer not to be bothered at their homes. The question: Shouldn't I have already had a ticket purchased BEFORE my advancement? That is usually the case for someone that has planned a get-away; that is, unless I did not have the money to purchase a ticket. (You will soon read this answer in my fourth point.)

Third, most of the employees who were signed by Pinnacle Security to represent them, actually were signed with a signing bonus. My recruiter, let's just call him Coltt, did not tell me about a signing bonus; to be precise, I was given NO signing bonus to work with Pinnacle (this is what Pinnacle can call free money given, not an advancement of my own money earned).

Fourth, I did not even BUY my plane ticket to Florida. The Pinnacle Rep claims that I needed the advancement to leave. This is as false as pigs sprouting wings and soaring through the sky. T-Mobile bought my ticket AFTER my advancement--the plane ticket is in my name but the purchaser is a gentleman that works for T-Mobile (my current boss).

Let's summarize:

1. I asked for an advancement of MY OWN money earned--I lost the majority of my earnings because of a small detail in the contract.
2. My plane ticket was purchased AFTER my advancement.
3. The plane ticket was NOT purchased by me at all--T-Mobile bought my ticket.
4. I received NO signing bonus to come to New York City, which MANY MANY Pinnacle reps did receive (this was a lie my recruiter must have loved because he made a whole lot of money signing me).

To progress from here would be appropriate.

Fifth, I have not harassed Pinnacle reps or management one iota. In fact, all I ever did was leave, resuming an honorable job making an honest dollar, wrote Rip-off Reports concerning the horrendous business practices by Pinnacle and, specifically, the New York City office, and was attacked by Pinnacle Security management in the office. Subsequently, I was bombarded with a stream of text messages and calls (which have been saved and will be used on my own end, if necessary) relaying mixed messages. Did I initiate contact with the office Manager, Gabe (the ring leader of misrepresentation and ill sales practices)? Absolutely not, he must have called me FIVE times, leaving a message on one occasion telling me that I had surprised him with the report (these text messages and voicemail messages are saved). More and more text messages poured in thanking me for telling the truth about the management--or the fact that the outside perspective was indispensable in showing a less than picturesque Pinnacle climate (these text messages are saved). I declare with unequivocal resolve: Half of the Pinnacle Office would testify on my behalf--the others would not because they are far too advanced in Pinnacle's twisting web of provincial ethics.

There is no surprise that a person who becomes the "whistle blower" on inappropriate business practices will get a worthy recoil from the office and company accused.

I want to ask the reader another, but sincerely powerful, question:

If Pinnacle Security is thorough, honest, a "pinnacle" of integrity, a company of genuine consistency and unbridled professionalism, then why would they care what, they have a dubbed, is a "rogue" employees report about them?

If a rep is forthright and exemplifies professionalism, than whatever is written by anyone should be taken with a grain-of-salt. If a corporate company is frightened by one "ex-employee" than one beckons to know this: What exactly is this company trying to hide?

Lastly, I have no bother over whether or not Pinnacle Security has signed over 100,000 people in the last year or not. Have you ever heard of Pinnacle Security before today? Most would state that they haven't. If you are reading this rebuttal than you are one of the smart people that researches a company before you sign. I welcome that prudence--when we research, we find the answers.

I have NOTHING to gain by writing this report--I have already lost a large mount of time and money working for Pinnacle. The only satisfaction I get is in knowing that I might help a few people realize the truth about a shady company.

There are always two sides to every argument, but have you read a comment at all from Pinnacle Security rebutting what I wrote? NO, they have only attacked MY credibility--not Pinnacles OWN minced up statutes.

Let the facts be stated--half truths are as good as vile fabrications.

We believe he was recruited from a cell phone kiosk in a mall in Florida. He worked for a short time in one of our offices and upon before his departure asked for a monetary advance to help pay some personal bills so that he could remain an employee. Once the advance of money was given, this employee packed his bags overnight and hopped on a plane without telling anyone. If you know this individual please contact us. He continues to harass current employees by text messages and phone calls. All future contact will be recorded and sent to the corporate office. We do not agree with this employee.

We are a well established company that has been in business for a decade and has set up over 150,000 residential homes with home security over the last few years. We have over 1000 sales reps in The continental United States and Canada. Any business this size will have a complaint here or there, but feel free to check out how promptly we resolve any customer/employee complaints.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect your home or business with one of our wireless security systems please visit our website
www.pinnaclesecurity.net or call our corporate office at 1-877-PIN-SAFE. You may qualify for one of our systems O.A.C.