Christie Intruder Alarms Ltd

Last Sunday evening at 2200hrs my external alarm activated without warning. I called the CIA emergency number and after 19 minutes waiting I was asked for my contract number. I said that I do not have a contract for a 3 year old, fairly new system but needed the code so that I could turn off the alarm. Sometime later I was told that the CIA policy is for me to call back during working hours. I explained that I couldn't leave the siren blasting all night and would pay for a call out to turn off the system.After an hour, an engineer phoned and I told me how to disarm the system, when this didn't work he said he would have to come out and would be about 30 minutes.On route he phoned again to say that the call-out charge will £250.00 in CASH. When he arrived, he used his ladders to remove the batteries from the alarm and told me that there was water in the alarm which had shorted out the contacts.The alarm was finally silenced at 2345hrs, some 100 minutes later.The following day I emailed CIA to discuss the fact that the external alarm should be water tight and the automatic 15 minute cut-out switch was clearly not working. This was met with disinterest and I should have had a contract. CIA have agreed that the siren should have cut-out after 15 minutes (This is in line with Environmental Law) and the unit should have been watertight and argue that had we had a maintenance contract the problems would have been discovered. After a number of email exchanges CIA agreed to replace the external alarm on condition that I buy a contract. This offer has been declined.It would appear that CIA want to provide shoddy equipment and make a lot of money from selling long term contracts.Apparently CIA have been taken over by another company, SBD inc, so watch out for a possible change of company name.

Had an appointment foisted on me for a alarm service. The date wasn't convenient but i also objected to no time being given. It was assumed i'd wait in for the engineer to call when it suited him / her. Customers convenience overlooked. Called to cancel the appointment on the number given in the letter and after 10 mins on hold spoke to a chap who couldn't find any of my details on the system,. Asked me my address no fewer than 4 times. I gave him the number on the letter i had to quote and it meant nothing. He wanted my account number which wasn't on the letter nor did it say I'd need it. After a long frustrating call i was then told he was the wrong person to speak to and i need to call the office on monday as no one works on a saturday. So i'm then faced with another call to make, no doubt be on hold again for an age all to cancel an appointment I don't want, didn't ask for and was never consulted to see if it would be convenient for ME. BULLYING customers into being IN ALL DAY or AM/PM for a probable needless service is shameful practice and needs to stop. You shouldn't tell your paying customers when you're coming YOU SHOULD ASK. A common courtesy clearly lacking. If this happens again I'll report it to all and any willing to listen.

Avoid the alarm section. You have to pay to leave them.....Was with an independent alarm company who were taken over by CIA. Very poor service over the past three years so decided to cancel my annual contract. Had to pay £182.40 for an engineer to come and just put in their code to unlock the keypad so the new company could take it over.

The shop wasn't great. My experience was very poor. When I entered the door was crumbling paint in my hand and there was no at the front desk. It took about a minute of me walking around for someone to come out and ask me if I wanted anything, I carried on looking around and the range of products you'd expect for a site of the size was poor. Would not re-visit again. They asked £999 for a 4x Camera CCTV system with a 1TB hard drive. I went and brought a 4x Camera CCTV system with a 2TB hard drive for £400 and installed it all myself.

My new build house was already fitted with a CIA alarm. CIA quoted me £135 plus £110 per hour just to come out to show me how to use it. 6 months later a different alarm company (who I had previously used), told me the system was faulty. CIA told me there was no installation warranty and manufacturers warranty was out of date. So, 6 months in a new house with new alarm and I’ve just paid £190 to have it fixed and shown how to use it. Their pricing is structured that you have little choice but to take out their service agreement.Today the engineer took 2 calls from the office, said during the second call ‘you have to understand the customer is paying for this call’! Then expected me to make payment using his phone, and to sign his phone. Little understanding of the restrictions due to COVID-19.

Great service here. Getting a new car key. Staff skilled and patient. Sensible price too!

Handed in my lockable towbar, as the lock needed looking at, that was back in july 9th got it back today october 1st .lock broken completely. Locksmith never there has more holidays than a school teacher!. Try phoning them never ACTUALLY get to speak to anyone. Always had to call into shop to see whats happening, called into the shop today and got it back.As they couldn't tell me what was happening and the locksmith was once again on holiday..so no I would not recommend this place at all..

Really poor service / value. Paying for a monitored service and the alarm triggered and there was no contact to see if it was a fire or false alarm. Then took 20 minutes to get through to CIA on the phone - and thereafter a very unhelpful operative.

What a brilliant service. They really responded to a fairly urgent security issue with good advice regarding both security and obligations under fire regulations. Having decided upon a solution the parts were ordered on Tuesday and the locks installed on Thursday. The installer ‘Mike’ turned up within the stated period having travelled from Basingstoke to Portsmouth. He was both polite and professional and despite the cold and late hour he made sure that everything was operating perfectly and I was fully aware of how everything worked before he left.I am delighted with a neat and professionally completed job done by a friendly, competent and professional manThank you CIA

Why do I always receive a finalnotice for a bill when don’t receive an invoice either via post or email? I have phoned before to complain that it’s offensive but the problem persists. I have just received another ‘final invoice’ , I can only assume it’s for my annual contract but …