Glenbrooke News

Local news station "Call Kurtis" comes to the aid of Glenbrooke residents.  Homeowners Helen McKinley-George and her husband, Bill,  contacted Kurtis to fight an alarm company that did not refund their activation fee as promised.   After fighting with  American Alarm and Electronics in Sacramento,  an authorized dealer for ADT,  for three months,  they contacted the news station to see if Kurtis could help. 

Helen says the representative from American Alarm & Electronics  offered a special price when they came door to door.

"If we signed up that day or within the next 24 hours, that $99 was refundable," says Helen.  Helen paid the $99 activation fee up front and signed a two year deal.  

After being promised the "check is in the mail" by the owner, Helen waited  a couple of weeks but the check never arrived. 

Frustration mounted as the companyowner did not return Helen's  phone calls.   Another employee said other customers had been calling about the $99 refund  as well.

Finally, after three months, Helen said she was going to call Kurtis.

Channel 13 contacted American Alarm & Electronics and spoke with the owner, Jim Hamner.  He claimed the $99 activation fee was  required by ADT and there was no special for a refund.  He also said, "buyers are liars..."

"If anybody's nose is growing, it's Pinocchio's you know, not mine," says Helen.
When we asked the owner about whether other customers had called about the refund, he said, "Yes, he's received other calls for this $99."
The owner had no explanation why other people were asking for a $99 refund.

The day after the owner was contacted by Kurtis, Helen received a check in the mail for $100.  Helen said she will return the extra dollar - after she makes sure the check clears the bank.

The news station reminds comsumers to get all promises in writing.