Island Security Systems Inc

Avoid if possible. There is no way to contact their business offices directly via phone. Even during business hours, all calls go through a call service that largely runs interference. If you have a billing problem, good luck getting that resolved. We made the mistake of giving them a VISA card to have on file for the quarterly $100 monitoring charge. 3 months ago they charged it five times in a 3 week period ($500 total). They still have not refunded the money and half the time do not return messages (that have to be left with the call center). Have heard other stories from neighbors who wish they had never used their services. more

Just got my system installed, first alarm system I have ever had. Mike (the technician) went over everything and wrote it down for me. I'm not savvy with computers or stuff of that sort but this was very simple for me. Thanks again - Deb more

When my husband and I decided that we wanted an alarm, we sat down and thought about what was important to us. We wanted a company that was local, where we would always get a response instead of a machine, and where our monitoring was done by a company that was right here in our area. Island Security is a perfect fit for us. Their technician that came out to our house was on time, respectable, and knowledgeable about what we needed to make our home totally secure. We have accidentally tripped our alarm a few times and when we call the monitoring station they are always very helpful and friendly. I have recommended this system to a couple friends who are also very happy with the company. If you want a company that is easy to deal with that will make you feel absolutely safe and secure, I would definitely recommend Island Security. more

This company did work for our out centers for disabled children. We used Island Security to install systems that would notify us if anyone that shouldn't left the home facilities. They also installed our Camera Systems and our Intercoms. Their price was competitive and they use top quality equipment. Our Ground Maintenance division did extensive research before we used them for the safety and security of the kids we work with. After it was all done we were surprised to receive a check from Island Security to help our mission. more

I just switched from another company(not going to mention them) to Island Security and they serviced my whole alarm, installed new keypads, and assured that all my windows, doors, and motions we're working properly. They even switched my old motion detectors with new pet sensative ones so that I can have my alarm active with my dog inside! 5 stars from me, thanks guys! more

We had Island Security put a security system in our 12,000 square foot home. They also installed our outdoor camera system which we can watch on the internet from anywhere,as well as the homes intercom system The tech's from Island Security were neat and as professional as we have had work here. The owner spent many hours sometimes on weekends and the evenings to help plan our systems. We are shocked to read the reviews here with one star. They are similar to reviews we have seen in other cites we have lived in where the media discovered they were placed by the companies competition.If you want a company who has real people answer the phone 24 hours a day. Service techs available 24 hours a day Island Security is the company. By the way we shopped five companies before choosing Island Security. We are glad we chose them. more

I?m surprised at the reviews below me, I?ve had nothing but good experience with this company. Its great calling a company and having the owner call you back immediately asking how you?re doing and if everything is ok with your system. I?ve recommended Island Security to two of my neighbors as well as friends and family which have also done the same to there neighbor and friends. All in all I?ve enjoyed my alarm system and the 11 years experience with Island Security. more

Island Security first put my system in in 1992. In 2002 they began monitoring. This year I wanted some upgrades. Seth, the owner came out to bid the job. He gave me a bid and I had two other companies bid the job. He was over 100% more than the other company I chose. Needless to say I took the lower bid. Seth discovered I had the work done by someone else and got irate and lost it. He then informed me that if I changed monitoring companies I would be responsible for the balance on the contract. In the fine print the contract says that if you do not cancel after five years you are automatically renewed for another five years. WOW what a scam! I told him I was considering changing as he had made me crazy. more

I would believe the 1 star review. The amendments were done probably after... I have several neighbors using their service including myself. The only way they keep their business is by threatening to abandon their customers when things do not work. Their alarms would either not go off or go off at the wrong time with either poor installations or deliberate wrong installations. My sister signed up the service without asking the neighbors and she paid a little bit more than the competition. Along with another neighbor, we just decided to go with another alarm company, replace part of the system and monitoring altogether. We ended up paying 180% what the market would charge. Everything has worked since then and they warranty everything as promised. 2 other neighbors continue to have problems once in a while and continue to have to pay them once in a while to fix things here and there. Apparently, competitors know about their style of dealing with customers. Totally not normal and they have to apologize for the industry as a whole. They have gotten many people from Island security in Mercer Island. The one in Seattle is apparently the normal one. Pros: Sounds great initially Cons: Headaches and more investment later on more

On September 22, we wrote a review of Island Security which was scathing. After a bit of thought and some discussions with our neighbor who referred us we felt it was important to correct our previous review of Island Security. At the time we were going through some personal problems and it seemed everything was an issue. Most of the things we wrote about Island Security were not true. They do answer their phone twenty four hours a day. They never called us about money except for the one time we were late in paying (we were out of the country) and they waived any late fees. We were confused so we went to the Island Security web site and realize now they only charge for a tech call when the question is clearly answered on their web site and the customer still wants tech time. After looking through our checks we realized Island Security did come and add sensors when we asked. My husband actually located the motion detector with the Island Security tech and I was unaware of this. The alarm trips by it were due to a plant we had in the hall that was blowing around due to a fan we placed to close to it. The guard responded as they should have and we paid the small fee. Reading over the guard response form from Island we realized it says nothing about police response times. The 3-4 hour potential police response time came from an article that said the Seattle Police were so busy with other crimes that they made burglar alarm response one of their lowest priorities. Now we understand why the guard is for us. Our five year agreement was for a lower rate and again my husband had made that deal and not told me. We decided to work with Island Security and they have made us feel much better. We called the national company and after waiting for almost twenty minutes cancelled our plans with them and stayed put. Sometime under pressure people do things rashly and this was a case where we did. We thought long and hard about this and decided to make things right. more

We have been a customer for 3 years and have NOTHING BUT BAD EXPERIENCES with them. Initial alarm install was higher than competitors, but decided it was good to go with a local company - SO WRONG. Somehow we got wrangled into a 5 year contract, but WE WOULD RATHER EAT THE COST THAN STAY WITH ISLAND SECURITY. Pros: None - Company does not even respond to alarms Cons: NonResponsive, Extra charges, Attitude, Doesn't Answer Phone more

All of you have had a customer or two like sbjella and cj45 who left the reviews above. Mrs. Bjella's problem was her husband, not the system installed by Island Security or the way she was talked to. A quote from the note she sent to Island Security. ""I am sorry to ask for the cancellation of our security system. I showed it to my husband and he refuses to use it. I even purchased the key remote controls to help make it easier. I feel the fight is futile"". This whole matter boils down to Mr. Bjellas not wanting to use the alarm properly. We never were abusive. The Bjella's just didn't want to pay what they owed. We have been in business for over 29 years, serving all of Western Washington. Some of our customers: The Seattle Seahawk Headquarters, The Seattle Sonics, many thousands of homes throughout western Washington, The Factoria Square Mall, The Monorail, The Met Grill, Elliots, McDonalds, Dairy Queen, Jack in the Box, Tony Maroni's Pizza, The City of Yarrow Point and the Snoqualmie Fire Department. Island Security is a great company; we truly care about our customers. A human being answers our phone 24 hours a day. The original owner is always available to talk to any customer and has been since the company was started in 1978. No other company can make this claim. As far as cj45's comments. We respond immediately to all alarms. We answer our phone promptly (call us and find out). We require an account number and a password when anyone calls in for info or to deal with an alarm. We use the same brand of top quality equipment as ADT: The Honeywell brand (previously Ademco), and we have since 1978. Check ADT's comments at superpages and then consider the fact that cj45 refers you to them as a good company. Island Security is a good company and does care very much. Thank you, We felt that we needed to clear the air on this. The Owner. By the way the Bjellas are still customers of ours. Pros: We care, Our prices are fair and we have been in business since 1978. Original owner. more

We are surprised at the two negative ratings of Island Security. Our experience was perfect. The company is not the lowest priced, they are avearge. Yet they do top quality work.Their techs are clean, polite and skilled. The quality of their equipment is top notch. This is our third house system with Island Security. Both our businesses are also protected by an Island Security Burglar Alarm and Camera system. We recommend them as often as we are asked. Pros: Great value, polite employees. Able to reach at all hours. Owner easy to deal with. more

Sorry, I have not had the experiences that two other reviewers have had. We (my extended family) have dealt with Isl. Security since I was a little child. I recently had them install the alarm in my new house in Bellevue, and my parents moved to the Issq Highlands and had them install their alarm. more

Island Security is terrible to deal with. The owner is sarcastic and down right abusive when you talk to him. more

Be warned Island Security is horrible. Don?t use Island Security, based out of Mercer Island. It?s rare you get them to answer the phone, the answering service takes forever to pick-up, and call backs are not right away. In times of emergency they have never been quick to respond if at all. Our alarm would go off and we?d never get a call. There is no type of security screening when you call in either. Also, the owner is unprofessional and full of himself. We had them under contract for a very long time and eventually we paid to get a different system because the service was horrible and alarm itself was just junk. They may give you a lower price but you?ll wish you went with a more credible company. Pros: low price Cons: horrible service, lack of security screening when you call-in, cheap junk alarm systems more