Legal advice and opinions wanted :)

[hawkeye08]

Could you find a replacement transmitter on craigslist or ebay, cancel the service and when they collect the equipment, the transmitter is there. If it is the right one, it should be able to be programmed to work with the system when they refurb it rent to the next victim. They may not even refurb, just scrap it..

 

[RNeumann]

Most folks I see with the transmitters wear it around the neck. Occasionally I'll see it worn like a watch. Either way it's hard to use a device that is in a pants pocket when you don't have pants on (very common with falls and or calls for help).

 

[Sigarms]

Most folks I see with the transmitters wear it around the neck. Occasionally I'll see it worn like a watch. Either way it's hard to use a device that is in a pants pocket when you don't have pants on (very common with falls and or calls for help).

My father when he was 77 fishing in Alaska



My father this year at Hershey park with his grandkids at 86 (and he was explaining to his grandkids that riding the Great Bear was a lot like flying in a fighter jet LOL).



2 years ago my dad complained to me that when he was in South Carolina golfing, he's given up doing 2 rounds in a day because it wore him out (and he now gets upset if he can't break 90).

It was a battle enough to get him to at least get one kind of transmitter. No way in h e double toothpicks are you going to get him to wear one around his neck:laughing:

 

[Sigarms]

Could you find a replacement transmitter on craigslist or ebay, cancel the service and when they collect the equipment, the transmitter is there. If it is the right one, it should be able to be programmed to work with the system when they refurb it rent to the next victim. They may not even refurb, just scrap it..

Nice idea, but it's too dishonest in my book. I'd rather take the time and make phone calls to people other than the company to see if it will get me anywhere.

I really do see this kind of practice as taking advantage of old people, not just because it happened to me as far as getting stuck with the bill. It's just plain wrong in my book.

Heck, even if it were $150, I pay it, but to charge basically the same amount as the yearly fee just for the coin sized transmitter? It's basically a cell phone service is what it boils down to that calls 911 at the push of a button.

 

[hawkeye08]

Nice idea, but it's too dishonest in my book.

Not sure what you think is dishonest about this. If they own the equipment and you are required to return it upon cancellation, you are honoring the contract and they should end up with functioning remote. If you are not comfortable with it, then ask them first if that is ok.

They are supposed to be able to locate it in case of emergency (if you are talking about the medic alert devices). Ask them to tell you where it is. My Dad's wife accidentally pushed the button (had it in her purse and pressed against something in the car on the way to lunch with friend). Company called Dad (per instructions) and said they got an alert at such and such location, he went there and she was not there (she did not know the button had been pressed and ignored her phone when Dad tried to call her). He had the company locate her based on device and sent first responders there. At least you might be able to find out what state it is in...

Best wishes getting it resolved.. pretty useless without device, sooner it is cancelled, the less it costs...

 

[Sigarms]

Not sure what you think is dishonest about this. If they own the equipment and you are required to return it upon cancellation, you are honoring the contract and they should end up with functioning remote. If you are not comfortable with it, then ask them first if that is ok.

They are supposed to be able to locate it in case of emergency (if you are talking about the medic alert devices). Ask them to tell you where it is. My Dad's wife accidentally pushed the button (had it in her purse and pressed against something in the car on the way to lunch with friend). Company called Dad (per instructions) and said they got an alert at such and such location, he went there and she was not there (she did not know the button had been pressed and ignored her phone when Dad tried to call her). He had the company locate her based on device and sent first responders there. At least you might be able to find out what state it is in...

Best wishes getting it resolved.. pretty useless without device, sooner it is cancelled, the less it costs...

I see your point. That said, for what they charge for the device, I won't hold out any luck trying to find one.

Yes, you would think they would be able to find the unit, but I believe they could do this only if it were activated. Since my father is on the road a lot, I got him the "best" mobile device they had, but it didn't come with a "base". As mentioned, it's more like an emergency 911 phone call at the push of a button, and then this company gets involved in the call. Without the button actually being pushed, not certain if they can locate it or not, but... you think they could. I believe when I looked at them, most of them used cell coverage to work.

At this point, I believe my subscription is coming up in the next month. Ultimately, I can cancel it, pay $500 or pay the $500 and re up for an additional $500 or so. However, if I cancel it, then I'm back to square one on finding something again, but at least this time I'll be a little wiser.

Again, still have to wait for the contract to come in by mail and see what I signed.

Or I can just tell dad that if he can't get his flip phone open and hit 911 himself, he's SOL LOL.

 

[aczlan]

How about a Bluetooth pendant to sync with his phone?
Amazon.com: V.ALRT VSN4 Personal Emergency Response Device: Cell Phones & Accessories


Aaron Z

 

[Sigarms]

How about a Bluetooth pendant to sync with his phone?
Amazon.com: V.ALRT VSN4 Personal Emergency Response Device: Cell Phones & Accessories

Aaron Z

Not a bad idea, but being he's 86, you mention blue tooth to him and he'll tell you not to waste your time. I know, I've tried with his "new" car that I talked him into buying a couple of years ago that has bluetooth LOL

 

[aczlan]

Not a bad idea, but being he's 86, you mention blue tooth to him and he'll tell you not to waste your time. I know, I've tried with his "new" car that I talked him into buying a couple of years ago that has bluetooth LOL

Don't get into that level of detail, tell him that its a button that links to his existing phone and lets him push a button to call/text you if he falls or needs help.

Aaron Z

 

[Sigarms]

Don't get into that level of detail, tell him that its a button that links to his existing phone and lets him push a button to call/text you if he falls or needs help.

Aaron Z

I'll need to look, but I believe his AARP flip phone doesn't have bluetooth, but I'll look. Thanks for the idea.