Existing Customer Equals - SECOND CLASS CITIZEN!  

If you read the fine print or listen to the fast-talking announcer, they usually have a disclaimer that it's for new customers only. They already have you, they figured, why offer you a discount? Most people stick with the same old company because they feel secure with them and don't want the hassle of changing. You are the exception to the rule--and a smart one, congratulations!! I hope you like your new system. Now start spreading the word about the lousy treatment you got with ADT!!!

Alot of companies are like that. That is how they get you. I don't think twice about changing either. It looks like they would want to keep you and reward you, but they don't.

I doubt there is a law against it, but as you say, it makes people angry. You sign up, pay your bill and others who wait and sign up later get tons of free services and special deals to sign up. The only thing you can comfort yourself with is that those new customers will eventually find that their great deal expires and they will have to pay the same as anyone else in a matter of months.

If they don't care enough to give you a deal to keep you as a customer, then I think you are right to change. It's the same in employment these days, no employer gets loyalty from an employee nor do the workers feel loyalty from an employer towards a long-term employee. Long-term employees are owed too many benefits and vacation, they would rather you left.

I think being fluid in choices about vendors and suppliers is important. Make them fight for your business. If they want your money, make them earn it and deserve it.

I won't even mention my opinion of Comcast, the Great Satan.

I wouldnt think so I thought they were to come out and fix for free!
I first had protection one then they sold out to axp or something like that and now they have sold to ADT and I had to pay for change over or extra to have them take money out of bank after I got paid my SS check not before and bounce my bank for lack of money!

no laws against this. The only recourse is exactly what you did. This is how medicare supplements and prescription plans go. We now have to change every year. Current policy jumps up significantly every year. This is awful and I will leave a company when they do this. We use t-mobile for cell service. We have for over 10 years. We still get the best rates, and free phones every year. This is why we have been with them for so long. If they stop this, we will stop our service.

No, there are no laws against that. Some things you just have to deal with on your own, and you did just what you should have done....stop paying them and pay someone else! Some companies will actually give you an advertised special retroactively if you happened to sign up right before that special started, some will screw you to the wall when you've been a loyal customer for years.

They should have fixed the problem for free. If they can offer so much to get a new customer, they should be willing to do at least as much to retain a loyal existing customer.

My home repairs from Katrina are nearing completion and I was considering a system from ADT, but now that I have read your experience with them, they are off the list for consideration. So thank you for posting this!

They are all the same and it makes me angry, here it is Sky that does this
They advertise all these things for new Customers but when it comes to existing Customers the answer is no that is only for new Customers and of course they require you to take their Phone and Internet to which I will not as I am happy with my Phone Company

I really don't know but I doubt there is any laws against treating customers this way.
I had a problem with the US postal service and I called and got treated like dirt. I found out if I called Consumer Affairs, there is one in every state I understand but if you want my number for Oklahoma I'll more than gladly send it.
Still within a few minutes the post office that had screwed up on my forwarding mail got straight and in a hurry.
The lady with Consumer Affairs told me if what she did didn't work to let her know and she'd take care of it personally with her superior.
I have had no further problems.
Do look the number up for Consumer Affairs in your state or I'll send you the number I have.
Take care and do not take any sh*t off these people!
quita

there are some companies do this kind of things. but there are also some companies providing special offers only for their existing customers or loyal customers. i am always chasing for the best value and never afraid of changing to other companies who can provided me better services or larger value.

to those companies that only offer promotions to new customers, i could only say they are stupid and i wont intend to contact with them for a long term as i can get better offer if i delete my account and apply for a new one.

Once they get you in, they have you covered. They are then out to get that next guy, and they run a ad for some thing that is way better than what they give you. I would think that after 13 years with this company that they would of been more than happy to upgrade you to a new system, since like you said they are so much more sophisticated and safe. Same with our cable company, I see them run an ad for way lower than what I am using and when you call they say only for new people that sign up, well why is that person going to pay half of what I am paying. Shouldn't it be the same for all if I pay $99. for cable, internet and phone, and next week you sign up you get the same for $75. why is that person better than me. Like I said once they get you suckered in they don't care anymore about you. I am glad you chose to go with another company. What I would of done too. i also think that $114. for a customer that they had for 13 years is a bit extreme, to glue on a box, which would take them what all of 5 minutes.