X10 Community Forum

📸Cameras & Camera Software => Camera General Discussion => Topic started by: john on April 11, 2005, 04:35:18 PM

Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal Action Started [2 of 3]
Post by: john on April 11, 2005, 04:35:18 PM
I have spent about $3,000 on Vanguard <BR>Cameras, XCam2's, ActiveHome Pro, etc. over <BR>the last year along with countless hours <BR>trying to install buggy, flawed software. <BR>Thoughts of legal action have crossed my <BR>mind several times in my frustration. <BR>However, by a combination of time and brute <BR>force, one eventually can get X10 stuff <BR>working to one degree or another.  The <BR>general problem is poor integration of <BR>pieces and parts that basically function ok <BR>on a standalone basis.  In my case, the <BR>expensive Vanguard cameras depend on the <BR>little CM-19A USB unit connected to the <BR>remote computer for pan/zoom/tilt/switching <BR>control over the Internet.  I finally got <BR>the remote multiple camera scheme working, <BR>but the signal from the CM-19A is so weak <BR>that the cameras can't be more than 15 feet <BR>away from the unit.  Makes the total camera <BR>system practically useless!  Every time I <BR>speak with X10 support, I get excited and <BR>end up buying yet another solution, only to <BR>find out that X10's words are carefully <BR>chosen (e.g., "w i l l  fix the problem). <BR>What's so frustrating is that THIS COMPANY <BR>COULD BE SO GREAT WITH A GREAT PRODUCT <BR>OFFERING, IF ONLY THEY WOULD PUT CUSTOMER <BR>SERVICE FIRST INSTEAD OF PUSHING <BR>SALES ! ! !  The sales generated by positive <BR>word of mouth from people like me would <BR>follow, and probably make all X10 employees <BR>multimillionaires!  Some viable competition <BR>in the home automation area is desperately <BR>needed.


Poor Customer Service - Legal action started [1 of 3] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=5914.msg40509#msg40509)

Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal Action Started [3 of 3] (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=12387.msg41213#msg41213)


[TTA Edit: Experiment to determine whether or not SPLITTING 'Highly-Viewed' / 'Highly-Replied' but currently

INACTIVE threads from LONG, LONG AGO (I'm starting with ~2 years) into parts will allow current

ACTIVE threads to appear in the Top 10 Topics (by Replies) section of the

Statistics Center (aka More Stats) (http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?action=stats) Page.

NOTE: I *WILL* address the <BR> problem...]
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: darren on April 12, 2005, 01:35:10 PM
I agree with John  -  the entire X-10
advertising and 'commercial' selling job is
the ONLY thing they are good at.  The
quality of the products is 'poor'  -  they
are made in China and are worth only cents
to make I'm sure  -  they are
charging 'real' $$$'s for this stuff and
if you read their warrany information  -
it basically says  'if we feel like helping
you we will - otherwise you are out of
luck  - oh and by the way  - it will cost
you an arm and a leg in shipping costs.
I'm glad I only bought a few hundred $
worth of this dinky junk  -  I think I will
give it to my kids to play with.
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: tony on April 12, 2005, 01:37:59 PM
let's move on and let this thread end.
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: pelcoguy on April 13, 2005, 07:15:49 PM
if you want real security, then  buy REAL
cameras. Samsung makes an excellent starter
kit for only a few hundred dollars. I sell
and install Sony/Pelco systems. You cannot
expect a fifty dollar camera to perform like
a Pelco Spectradome, which I'll be happy to
sell and install for around $2000.00 That
said however, there are some very fine 24volt
cameras sold on the net for well under one
hundred dollars. I would never use a wireless
system, too much interference and the
pictures too shaky. Hardwired is the only way
to go. You can even find a decent PTZ dome on
EBay for around six hundred, ready to use
outdoors. I have been looking at the
"Vanguard PTZ". Jeez, I'm still
laughing...What junk...
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: mark on April 15, 2005, 04:12:50 PM
When is this B.S over? I know and i have 2
options.
1 Go to Europa and spend about 5000 euro
for a system what you can buy here for 1000
dollar(marmitex)
2 DONOT buy x-10 stuf and stay away
MARK
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: christopher glenn on April 22, 2005, 11:30:15 PM
I can't believe this ^%$^%

This stuff is for hobbyists.  You people
should spend $20,000 to buy stuff for your
company.  Stop buying $2,000 of hobby toys
and expecting them to work like a $20,000
system.  I love this stuff.

BY THE WAY, I chat online live with X10
customer service and get IMMEDIATE response
and great service.  Who the heck uses
telephones any more?
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: saskcat on April 23, 2005, 02:06:45 AM
STAY AWAY !!!
This means YOU!!!!!!!

I thought we were startin a new topic?
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: ncarolinian on April 24, 2005, 12:28:02 PM
I don't like write to forums. But after
reading this, I got immediate impulse to do so.
I'm a customer, I have X10 products and know
what I'm talking about. My delivery was
really fast. My products are working fine. I
saw honest response from X10 guy here, but
nobody did not even try to go into details
for their particular case.
By the way, other companies MODERATE such
forums. Not this company. Ok, may be it's not
perfect. Are you? Ok, you paid your money,
but it does not make you right to bash the
company I love. Be specific. It's not like
buying apple or bananas. You are supposed to
be a bit careful and delicate with what I
buy. If did not have $100 hard copy manual,
does not mean it's not freely available in
pdf form on ftp stie of the company. It's DIY
(DO IT YOURSELF) stuff. Be responsible a bit.
I hate when people are not fair, whenever
customers or sellers.
At least it's not sneaky ppl among sellers,
nobody is hiding, you see names, response,
and even photos of them on the web.
From MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, EVERYTHING WAS
PERFECT!!!
Just my 2 pennies.
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: robert on April 28, 2005, 10:39:16 PM
N.Carolinian,I agree with you 100%.X-10
products and cust svs is great.At least so
far for 2 years!!
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: erick on May 14, 2005, 08:44:33 AM
ma tires i cant fix problem with x10 i have
12 cameras i bougth all software avalaible
in this company i have 7 day traying to fix
the problem but is imposible :( iwitness
dont works all frames show the same image
can any body tell me if there is an answer
to fix the problem? or if some body knows
any software to chance please
i realy appreciatte your help
erick
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on July 31, 2005, 03:36:49 PM
Handyman  just wondering when i did read
what it is included before buying i saw and
save the instruction in pdf for most of the
thing i bougth! They also advise if you
read the small comment that you have to get
acces to internet to get your software and
tell you wy they prefer to do it this way!

And has for US Superior Marketing i think
you whent to fast in buying amator stuff!
If you where serious over your business
your whould have put more time for your
reseach and when into ip cam server or more
professionnal soft and equipement. I see
this x-10 stuff for untertertainment. I am
glad to have read you all and this confirm
what i whas expecting of X-10 carrier base
stuff. Not for real security! Just fun a
radio shack whould sale it!

Think of it it is late now since you bougth
it sorry fo that and i d'ont to piss off
any body but think of it...

Read before buying faq...

Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on July 31, 2005, 03:38:03 PM
one faq clearly stated in x-10 web site.

This system may not work in your home if
your are in two phase in your home we
almost all having to phase since you whant
your drying machine to work on 220v! What
they answer put a second transmitter to
bridge the phase...

Power distribution is one of the most noisy
source! they also advise to put filter in!

Module in or off by them self then check
for noise!
I did follow a session in tracking noise
with true fluke meter and in the trainning
they did show that many pc power supply
that have been calculated to be ok on a
15amp braker did actually make it trip wy
some amp where still loose dammit ****ing
braker cie !@#$$% Nop the problem is in the
fack that pc supply do make high transient
not read by any normal meter but do charge
the braker behone is trip point! Think
about it that is only pc add fridge
compressor,blender,air blower... That is
all noise that could prevent good x-10
carrier! Loose wire in your home bad
ground! Open to air ac wire yes i said open
to air wire ! I did bougth a house and one
of the previous owner did forget bear wire
open loose in the celling....
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on July 31, 2005, 03:40:04 PM
I did follow up x-10 devloppement for 10
year at the very beginning with a revues
call steve shop or something like and the
the problem assess them are still the same
today! This technologie is for home fun
d'ont relly on it for security purpose!

And again yes it is Chinees stuff if it
whould be americain it whould be better but
like the front door automated switch i
bougth last year i cost me 50$ and do just
control the ligth by itself no fussy stuff!

Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on July 31, 2005, 03:41:30 PM
Be conscious and read before buying! Press
the X in your browser to stop any animation
that migth distract you and read everithing
about iT and if you still whant to buy it
then shut the dam computer off and sleep on
it and re-think over what i really whants
and those it do what i whant do i put my
security over it! Yes well is your life
cheap? Be real this is amator stuff! Look
around you there is no camera that will
substain -40c to + 40c for 89$. Putting
your security in sensor that work on two AA
batterys that you will be to cheap to put
energiser or duracell in! Gees think of it!
Normal sensor cost 89$ and are feed by 12v
backup batterys through your alarm system!
Don't put you security on 2AA cell your
fool to think that is a good solid system!
Hope that the judge if you fill a law suite
will turn you down it is a non sens! I did
buy x-10 to explore and expect the road to
be bumpy because ac and rf technology is of
random quality cheap you get cheap and high
priced you may also get cheap result
because many factor are against those
technology do wired if you put your
security online.

this is my 2 dollar worth!
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Doc on August 03, 2005, 07:47:53 PM
I am not suprised to see I am not alone on
this subject, All thay had to do was replace
or get my camera(vanguard) repaired (working)
and I would of thought fair customer
service.But same I had a rude tech on the
phone telling me a 100 excuses that I was
tired of hearing.I bought at least $3000
worth of products also,never complaining on
the cheap software and dealing with it
all.But when a $500 US money camera has a
problem and can not be addressed, I can say
who in their day would buy another,if it can
not be repaired or parts for it.If thay
would have used a metal gear and not plastic
I would'nt have this problem of a broken
expensive camera thats ready for the trash
now.I think it is much easier to take a
small losss on a few broken units than to
cause us all to be furious with the
company.I will personally write to this X10
e mail and let you all know if I got any
further for 1 last try to this company.If
you want my $$ you need to have customer
service, this is what makes a good business
better or even the best.
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on August 05, 2005, 11:00:09 AM
I look all over the web for the home
producer of this vanguard cam and did not
find any repair spot! Curious many place
other then x-10 sales it but no main site
like www.vanguard.... i guess knowing it is
made of plastic for this price i will
forget about ordering one since in Quebec
weather if really cold in winter....Plastic
will brake!
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on August 05, 2005, 11:15:18 AM
I did find a place to solve many unanwser
problem for hint and kink of automation.
http://www.hometoys.com/articles.htm many
good article over home automation! Have fun!

Look at middle of page or so for x-10 colum
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: missy on August 12, 2005, 08:42:01 PM
I bought two special deals about 3 years
ago. I have 6 cameras, two receivers,
appliance modules, lamp modules,
firecracker, mini-remote controllers, USB
video adapters, and software.

All of these products work fine, and have
since day one.

I have experienced some unreliability with
the lamp modules, but considering that they
run on AC signaling, it's to be expected.

The cameras work great, the software has
been fine.

Instuctions? I just pulled out a new camera
and video receiver packed away in the boxes,
and never used. I got them working in 10
minutes, after remembering how to set the
channels and house codes.

These products are like everything else
that's more complicated than a toaster.
You'll need to read the instructions, and
toy around with them until you figure them
out.

I'm surprised about all the negative
feedback in this thread. I've experienced
none of this.

[NOTE TO X10 MANAGEMENT: You may send my
gift certificate to the shipping address
from my order! :) ]
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: eric on August 13, 2005, 02:02:00 AM
I visit these forums about once a year- how
sad (but not surprising) to see that things
are always the same if not worse.  Gave up on
their junk years ago.

After looking at the X10 website, I find that
it gets worse and worse- I feel like I need
to take a shower.  Do sexy babes really sell
this stuff?

Thank goodness somebody is going to take
legal action.  This is a company that
shouldn't be allowed to continue fleecing the
public.  Have the words “class action” come
up?  If so, please let me know.

Missy- if you're "surprised" at all of the
negative feedback, and everything X10 works
for you in 10 minutes right out of the box-
well, let's just say that you've either (a)
never, ever, visited a single X10 forum and
have incredibly good luck with the few
products that accidentally function
correctly- or more likely- (b) you work for
them, hence the delightful posting.  Please
don't insult my intelligence; most every
electronic device I buy is “more complicated
than a toaster”.   The only difference is
that it’s not crap and it works.  But,
perhaps my TV, DVD player and computers are
less complicated than a toaster.  You seem to
be the expert.

Finally, my dear Stephane Bois; would you
PLEASE SHUT UP.  Your babbling is on every
thread and I’m quite certain that people get
tired of being scolded about not reading
instructions and how you shouldn’t EVER
expect anything you buy for $89 to work.  Is
it supposed to work if it costs $89.99?  I’m
not sure where the cutoff point might be……

As you put it so well, that’s my “2 dollar
worth!”
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: notareturningcust on August 13, 2005, 03:31:41 AM
Well, there are a lot of comments there. To
the people with no problems great!

To the people with few problems and say that
“its expected, because of generic or
inexpensive equipment” sorry but thats bull.
As the pricing is very attractive, if the
equipment does NOT perform as promised then
the price is completely irrelevant and
nothing more then a “yesman’s” way of putting
up with things. Don’t settle for things just
because that’s the way they are, be a
visionary and think of how things could be or
at the very least should be.

As many of you, I was very excited with my
purchase of $650, found the site to be a bit
tough to navigate, and forums even harder to
find until after the purchase. Once I
promptly received my order I decided to
connect everything to ensure functionality
prior to a lengthy install. To my dismay, the
quality was poor on the “vanguard” camera.
Since quality is often relative to price, I
figured it was my own darn fault for spending
so little on it ($500ish).

As for the software and integration with the
camera(s) is where I have a real gripe.

Since I did NOT need a vanguard camera at
all, the only reason it was purchased was for
the vanguard software. The camera itself
would not consistently zoom/pan/tilt. Also,
some computers saw the web interface as an
invalid or corrupt active-x add on. (regards
to the http://gate.x10.com/ page) The
programs resources and networking usage
proved to be a hog for both. With pretty up
to date computer systems, the software still
found a few hurdles to just run and not spit
out dll errors.

After some time on the phone with a tech, I
was told “I have other calls to get to.. so I
have to let you go” I then said “um, ok, fine
I will just return all of this” and to be
honest this was not a way to keep my sale. I
truly wanted this thing to work, I was
willing to put up with the poor quality, and
the resource hog of a program, if only I
could get the thing to “function” as
described. The tech indicated they never saw
the problems I was describing before. For a
company so old that’s frustrating.

In the end I am now waiting what I was told
could be a good 30 days for a refund all
because the tech did not want to take the
time to help troubleshoot. I do not need help
installing equipment, merely running THEIR
software. Which yes, is their responsibility
to ensure functions as described. Without
zoom/pan/tilt the bulk of my order (about
$500) was useless, and I could of just
purchased the other cameras separately.

For the person below that mentioned “toy” or
“hobby” type of equipment. That is totally
right! But my suggestion would be to not
spend the money for these toys as you can
easily find much cheaper toys out there that
actually function. And to finish up about the
“price” comment being so cheap and what would
a customer expect when they didn’t spend $20k
I say that, you don’t need to spend that much
either, and when money doesn’t matter and you
contact x10 for some REAL advice about what
to order, these problems should be mentioned
or the product line not even offered, because
as a customer EVERYONE expects their purchase
to function as described. For me to buy a
system with a camera worth $500 that I
wouldn’t even use I think that shows just how
much the money didn’t matter in my case.

NoTaReTuRnInGcUsT
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: notareturningcust on August 13, 2005, 03:53:08 AM
Oh I forgot to mention about the “…they run
on AC signaling, it's to be expected.”
Comment is baffling to say the least. Are you
suggesting that Alternating Current is
somehow responsible for your modules not
working? Please take a moment and rethink
that if in fact that is what you mean.
Besides the FCC warning on the back of the
unit. Your entire house works on AC and even
converts it to DC in some cases such as for
video game systems, or your telephone, and
even your COMPUTER. That system works fine
for everything else which would include your
AC lamp modules, or at least it SHOULD!

What would be a foolish thing to do is to
expect what you buy to function any other way
then how it was described initially. Example
being you buy a tv, and think it will drive
you to work in the morning.

DON’T be that fool and expect it to NOT work,
come on I cant believe anyone would actually
say something like that!! What a nut, now
that is an “amateur” thing to say
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on August 13, 2005, 12:51:42 PM
NoTaReTuRnInGcUsT sorry i whas tring to say
to much in so few word! Just hook up a
osciloscope to your ac plug without ground!
Normaly before buying x-10 we should see a
specialist in x-10 before. There is too
many thing that may make the x-10 go wrong.
I would like to refer you to the whole 17
acticle of this site:
http://www.hometoys.com/articles.
Ac could be the noisiest place! Add Rf
control to it then Thing migth go wild!
Some supplier are starting to include some
sort of AGC and filtration to there module.
Nobody talk really about module with there
own live and neutral to be best for control.
nobody tell about to monitor for incomming
x-10 signal from other home... That is what
i whas meanning. The absurbe whould be to
monitor our line before buying x-10...
without any installer around...

So trying to correct my gunshooting all
over the place.;op
Hope you understand what i was trying to
say about ac carrier stuff!
Our video,computer,etc use hi end
filtration and dont use ac other then for
timming in cheaper electronic with no self
system time base.
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on August 13, 2005, 02:13:55 PM
These messages specially refer to you Sir
Eric. You’re maybe frustrated but if you
sit back and think of it real technology is
not cheap. And as for been in all thread
just skip it! If you don’t want to read my
comment. I guess you are just frustrated
like we are at different level. Yes i
posted a roman of what I think of x-10 and
the only thing i should apologise is that
like NoTaReTuRnInGcUsT said yes thing
should be working as stated... The real
meaning of my comment was that you should
be realistic and you would then found that
it is all overstated. See it like it is 89$
for a cam a vcr commander...and so on it is
evident that it is really low end product.
(You only get a quickcam for 69$)
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on August 13, 2005, 02:14:40 PM
part two to Eric

And yes they should be slap behind the head
for overstating the quality of the
products. And as for missy and you stating
don’t insult my intelligence your are the
first to spit on many other so Sir lay you
thought but don’t over spit other! You sure
have a bad behaviour. If your frustrated
that it work for other well it the wall
man!
And if it bother you to know yes i do have
some problem too! But I somehow did read
the forum before buying, so i did expect
it!   Act as sounded buyer. Just don’t go
buy then spit on all other because you got
foul by advertisement! Car sellers do that
all the time! And bye the way spit on Mark
and Saskcat while are at it! I like the
cheap x-10 kit because I can’t not afford
the real stuff! so like somebody said in
this thread I like to modify too stuff!
They are my only cheap gadget supplier so
Get away buys somewhere else! Sue them for
refund and get over it! Get a life!
Sir if someone got to shut up well take a
long walk out a short peer! This is a forum!
it is made to yak about! Do what you where
doing well (be absent of thread) comeback
in 3 year or so to see if it as improve!

sorry to all other to waste thread space if
i do? ;o(
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on August 13, 2005, 02:16:36 PM
To finish my thread ill shut up like Eric
said!

Warning warning warning warning Warning !
Is it enough! Don’t buy x-10 for your
security if you don’t want to fail at
anytime! X-10 is there ok! But it is not
100% reliable! Work in good case, It is at
cheap but need a lot of attention and
reading when not working! It is a non plug
and play stuff as it it expected! Forget
it! you might fall in all ideal condition
and it will work if those condition are met:
Clean Ac input in home with two phase hook
with a phase coupler an Rf clean
environment then you’ll have plug and
play!  Read Read Read! They are so many
exception it is technical! If you want
light to open up without any trouble buy a
timer switch at Canadian tire it will do
that! Or else do what it is really needed
to have a successful experience with x-10
inform your self! Read at
http://www.hometoys.com/articles
That will stop your big joy of buying right
now! X-10 needs more equipment if you fall
in the not so fortunate problem free.

Yes I did have failing stuff I did resolve
it through service.

part one of two
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: Reve_virtuel on August 13, 2005, 02:17:34 PM
Part two the final!

You’ll be happy Eric ill move to other
thread that wants the thing to be working!
Just being here to make people understand
that will read this thread before buying! X-
10 is a technical no so worry free toy!

And by the way please never be dumb enough
to operated stuff that might put you self
at risk. All kind things that you would not
want to start unattended because they might
and probably will!
No joke it is serious!

Have your coffee put started before getting
up! Yahoo! Forgetting to put water in!
Yahoo a new coffee put to buy !  ;o(
Technology Technology

Coming home with many light up well funny!
But coming home with your home burning up!
Hum!
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal action started
Post by: BFD on May 22, 2007, 03:39:42 PM
...If thay
would have used a metal gear and not plastic
I would'nt have this problem of a broken
expensive camera thats ready for the trash
now.

See From http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=11186.0 for a solution.
You can find replacement steel gears at http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/services/advanceresultsDetail.asp?strProd=RRP0120&strSearchType=ALL&strInCategory=ALL&strInManufacturer=ALL&tag=qsrch
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal Action Started [2 of 3]
Post by: JMac on May 22, 2007, 06:36:33 PM
It's "out of stock" at hobbyshopnow.com.  Guess there have many sales to our group, or it's a common part of some popular RC car.
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal Action Started [2 of 3]
Post by: steinie44 on July 14, 2007, 03:10:31 PM
It's "out of stock" at hobbyshopnow.com.  Guess there have many sales to our group, or it's a common part of some popular RC car.

Try to Google
32 Pitch Pinion Gear,12T

Over 600 results.... :D
Title: Re: Poor Customer Service - Legal Action Started [2 of 3]
Post by: tom j on July 29, 2007, 05:42:57 PM
Some of the x10 stuff is pretty good some it pure JUNK, and as far as customer support I reported a problem with AHP not recognizing the Leviton 6381 that is listed as a compatible device that's been months and I'm basically stuck with some fairly expensive switches that I can't use and any for macros or timers. Some of x10's stuff has incredible potential the CM15A being one of them but how could anyone release this thing with all the bugs it had I saw folks complaining about timers not working a year after the release, and the range mine is good for about 15 feet. I would be the first to heap praise on my DX7000 it foiled two break in attempts beautifully but I had to return the console three times before I got one that worked properly and return the motion detectors maybe 5 times kept getting false alarms in the 1 movement mode and couldn't get to reliably detect motion in the 2 movement mode. So I'm tired every time someone has a legitimate complaints that they labeled as a x10 brasher, just read what happen to a guy that spent 15 grand on a complete Vanguard system and you tell me if he has a reason to complain.

Tom j

http://www.x10community.com/forums/index.php?topic=11187.0