Anonymous

DO NOT BUY CONTROL 4!

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

Gosh this is a universal problem! How can this company still exist!

On a weekly basis something goes wrong with our Control 4. We hate it so much! We remodeled our home and installed this system and want it out! How do we get rid of it!

I have yet to see someone tell me how I can uninstall this system and just use Sonos and have everything work just on their own. We have a guy who helps us but if he does not have time then we are totally screwed. I have had my tv in my bedroom not working for three weeks. We can't see who is at our front door from the I-pad.

There are literally always problems and right when he comes...

the next day something else is not working. Please if you know how to get rid of this system please share!

View full review
Loss:
$40000
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Full refund

8 comments
Guest

Same situation here! We've spent SO MUCH MONEY paying a guy to come out and fix it when it doesn't work!

We are so over it! We dont' want it! It doesn't do anything for us we can't do on individual systems! Who cares that I can control the lights from my phone!

I don't even think to use my phone to do it!

We hate it!! We just want it gone!

Sheilah Sut

Exact same situation here. Nothing works on it except our home security.

Guest

I feel the same way about our control 4 we have experienced more discomfort than comfort. We feel zero control!,

Guest

Please can someone tell me how to get rid of our control 4. We hate it.

There are always problems and we can never see our camera videos and we are slaves to our dealer.

We want to simplify and run Sonos and be done with this!!!! Anyone get rid of it successfully please let us know!

Guest

I also paid $30k to have Control4 installed in my new home and it is the worst. It’s a nightmare. DO NOT ISE THIS SYSTEM ITS Awful!!!

Guest

I completely agree and also need to know how to uninstall the entire system. I have never hated anything more than Control 4.

It’s a freaking joke. An expensive one!!

Time-wise and financially. Just wondering if you or anyone figured out a wsy out of it.

Control4

I am so sorry to hear about your experience with your Control4 system. Can you please send me an email with your contact information?

I understand your frustration and would like to see how we can help get your TV, front door camera, and any other issues resolved to better your experience with Control4.

eestes@control4.com.

Thanks!

-EE

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Control4

I spent 125k on control 4 for our home. It’s a nightmare.

My entire family is so angry. There are always multiple TVs that won’t work, now for third time in month the main tv we watch the remote won’t change channel or volume. This happens every month. I reset entire program it worked but hours later with home full of guess no TVs are working.

Doorbell constantly won’t work very frustrating. The music works one week then I have to call support locally. Now I’m being told I can’t take it out and have a regular direct tv cable remote to work TVs. So upset about this.

No answers ... I want my freakin money back. My daughters tv hasn’t work over two days since we’ve moved in this new home. It’s a joke.

We have outside TVs on fireplace and porch and get embarrassed when friends are here.

My son moved in his home has apps for everything and his things work like clockwork... how do I get this *** out of my home We are without any TVs and this happens each month

View more comments (7)
Anonymous
map-marker Draper, Utah

Very poor support services

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

I have attempted to update a $40,000 Control 4 system - I contacted my provider - they want a huge amount of money to help and will not call me back to support my needs - My system needs updating but no one is there to help - even Control 4 sends me to my service provider - no one calls back or answers E Mails It could be a great system but needs updating like all systems - in today's world service is king - no service - bad system - - I am required to update the system but no one can help - I am happy to buy equipment but someone needs to be available to support what I buy - I cannot even load the media edition to update music, etc - No one wants to support these products

View full review
Loss:
$5000
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Help me update my systme so that I can enjoy the technology

3 comments
Guest

I live in Palm Springs California and I had the same problem. Finally after speaking to customer service twice, the local Control4 dealer came out. He said the old system had tried to be updated and it blew out the main control4 control box.He further stated and I saw on line they had a discount temporarily and would have someone call me or email me (yes I gave all the information and the system is registered to me as well) and never heard back (8 months now).I am so disappointed and have this system that I can't use.

Guest

3 words: Remote Technologies Inc.

The problems with control4 will never be permanently resolved.

Eventually things will fail and updates will be needed. :(

Control4

Hello,

I am so sorry to hear about your experience with your Control4 system and dealer. I would like to help you with the process of finding a dealer who will support your system and get you upgraded. Can you please send me an email with your contact information?

eestes@control4.com

Thanks!

-EE

View more comments (2)
Anonymous

Poor quality

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Does not work properly with frontier fios and oppo products via smartphone and tablet interface. Touchscreen Buttons are misprogramed rendering items unusable.
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Control4

Hello,

I'm so sorry to hear that you're having issues your Frontier Fios, Oppo, and Control4 touchscreen. I would like to help! If you could please send me an email with your contact information, I would be happy to work with you on these issues to improve your Control4 experience.

eestes@control4.com

Best Regards,

-EE

Vick Uif
map-marker Austin, Texas

Control4... What a piece of CRAP System... absolute JUNK, and a horrible company

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

My name is Kendall Harter (830) 693-****... I post my telephone #, because I know Control4 Corporate does not care about the fact I spent $70,000.00 with a local area Control4 rep (Matt McAdoo), who went M.I.A.

after installing our system. I complained directly to the company, and can attest to other people's reviews and comments... These systems are pieces of junk... Good luck finding anyone that can make the system work properly...

Our TV's never work... Our touch screen control panels are worthless. We only wanted an intercom, and were sold on "How Great this System would be etc... $70,000.00 later, and literally 25 service calls, the system is more unreliable than ever.

What a waste. I have four children, and they can't ever watch a TV show, or DVR their favorite programs. In many ways, Control4 is directly responsible for greatly reducing the quality of our lives. Anyone looking to file a Class-Action Lawsuit, please call me.

I have contacted my lawyer, and I want my money back in full. I have had the system for over 4 years, and it has been the worst investment of my life. Please call me, and I will add you to this lawsuit, if you have had similar, or worse experiences. I notified the Control4 directly, and didn't even get a response.

This is terrible service after the sale, terrible products, and poorly run company. Sincerely, Kendall Harter (Austin, TX) kendall211@***.com

View full review
Loss:
$70000
Cons:
  • Ever
  • Price
  • Customer service
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Full refund

5 comments
Guest

Just an update on this Control4 nightmare. After over 20+ service calls and literally thousands and thousands of dollars spent above and beyond the $70,000.00 spent on the original system, our T.V.'s upstairs do not work at all.

Our remote controls (Control4) Remotes are intermittent throughout the house, meaning we can't rely on being able to watch T.V. Control4 basically told us: "Tough Luck, your system is out of warranty"... The truth is, the system NEVER worked, so how convenient to say "it's now out of warranty." The issue with this company is that they know they can't fix the issue, because their equipment, programming, logic and software are a joke!!! If they could fix the issue, they have had over 5 years and 20+ service call attempts to do so, but still our system is worthless and unreliable.

I now have over 10 persons that have contacted me for a Class Action Lawsuit. If you would like to join my list which involves some of the best attorneys and law firm in the Country, please call me at your earliest convenience. I will be happy to put you in touch with the law firm that will be representing us in this Class Action suit against Control4. My dedicated Control4 legal phone number is: (830) 693-****.

Together with our legal team, we will make this right for everyone taken advantage of by Control4's poor equipment, service and business model.... A business model designed to RIP YOU OFF!!!! AND DESTROY THE QUALITY OF YOUR ENTERTAINMENT AND HOME AUTOMATION LIVES!!!

AVOID THIS COMPANY LIKE THE PLAGUE, or you will be TERRIBLY SORRY!!!!! Sincerely, Kendall Harter (Austin, TX)

Guest

We ripped ours out and lost a ton of money learning our lesson. The owner of Smarter Homes of Austin showed me this site to make me feel less alone.

How is this such a widespread issue?

First fail Crestron. Second fail C4.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1429203

How do you rio it out??? My ex had ours installed niw I am stuck with it. It is a nightmare and I don’t know how to get out of it!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1528335

Get the house rewired.

Guest

Control 4 is a closed platform. They don't have good programmer , which is the reason that software is poorly done and not reliable.

View more comments (4)
Honest Rsp

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer

Dealer removed with no reason provided

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

I recently spent upwards $40,000 on full Control Four home automation. I installed thermostats for 17 zones with sensors, 7 TVs, complete home lighting, audio, and video surveillance.

The full package. It took about 1.5 years to complete and the dealer involved was super nice, patient, and eager to please. All of a sudden, Control Four terminated his dealership. According to the dealer, he has no clue as to why he was terminated.

He far surpassed the required minimum sales that Control Four imposes on their dealers. He has great reputation with his customers, but Control Four Simply decided to cut him out. Now I am stuck having to find another dealer who will have complete access to my home automation- someone new who I don't know and don't trust. I would never have started with Control Four if I had known this.

I called Control Four today, and they acknowledged that they terminated the dealership but they would not provide a reason why. I pushed them and they refused to elaborate. They pushed me to another dealer who I used use back when I had Crestron, but it didn't work out.

So now after spending, time, money, and energy- Control Four decided to abandon me as a customer. What a waste !!

View full review
Loss:
$40000
Pros:
  • Keeping up to date with tehnology
Cons:
  • Lack of loyalty to its customers and dealers
Reason of review:
No loyalty

Preferred solution: Reinstate my dealer who installed the entire system

3 comments
Honest Rsp

I am the customer. Control 4 made good. They reinstated the dealer and all has been restored.

Honest Rsp

The customer support team at Control4 read this review and immediately reached out to me. They were very nice and they tried to be helpful, but they still refused to provide an explanation as to why my dealer was terminated.

They tried to assure me that other dealers in my area would be able to take over my account and service my needs without fail.

My local sales area manager also reached out to me and recommended certain dealers who would best fit my specific needs. While I was happy they reached out, I still am ‘pissed off’ that my dealer was abruptly terminated without explanation.

Control4

I am so sorry to hear about your dealer. Can you please send me an email with your contact information?

I would like to discuss this situation with you more and help with the process of finding a dealer who can support your Control4 system.

eestes@control4.com

Thanks

-EE

View more comments (2)
Othal Kie

Massive let down, too glitchy. Don’t buy Control4

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

We had our system designed and installed whilst building, can’t get it wrong....oh yes they can and it’s never worked properly from day one. We were constantly in touch with the dealer (Kudos Audio Visual) to iron out issues, things freezing , not sensing, sharebridge dropping out, or remotes just not working.

The dealer has since gone into receivership and we have spent over $80,000 to get an automated system that just doesn’t work consistently. We can’t do any updates of firmware or add devices, this is only a dealer input. This wasn’t clearly explained when purchasing. Its a rip off to keep calling out technicians for a sub par system.

I wouldn’t mind if it was upgrading but this is the newest system and its rubbish with glitches everywhere.We are now in limbo, don’t buy Control4. It will give you a migraine and empty your pockets.

View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
4 comments
Control4

Hi Phillipstrobe,

I am so sorry to hear about your experience with your Control4 system. Can you please send me an email with your contact information?

I would like to address the current issues with your system and help you find you a dealer that can provide better support.

As an end user you're correct, there are certain things that do require dealer involvement but I would like to discuss all of the opportunities that are available to you which allow more ownership of your Control4 system.

eestes@control4.com

Thanks!

-EE

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Control4

I have emailed Control4 with our issues as they asked. They haven’t responded. Enough said!

Tony S Cfa
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1434756

Still no contact from Control4. Things have gotten a lot worse with our system.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Tony S Cfa

We are in contact now with Control4. Elliot from Control4 is looking after us so will keep you all posted how it turns out.

View more comments (3)
Anonymous

Life in Control 4 *** Year 3

Glitches and failures too numerous to mention: does not play well with others (specifically Apple), loved by the tech-geeks but not so much by the home user (can't program your own stuff), frequent "unexplained" phenomena (can't change settings without rebooting, speaker zones stop working-reboot again); apps that are buggy and user unfriendly. Often have to remove/reload app to get it to work. App frequently shows system unavailable and requires contact with dealer (which is not true, BTW). So glad I did NOT tie my whole house to this system. Most dependable music is a semi-autonomous set up unattached to Control 4. I would love to construct a home audio/visual system without the Control 4 albatross.
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Control4

Hello,

I am very sorry to hear about your experience with your Control4 system. I would like to help! If you could please send me an email with your contact information, I would be happy to contact you directly to troubleshoot your Apple devices, system issues and provide you more information on our end-user programming tools.

eestes@control4.com

Thanks!

-EE

Anonymous

Huge Rip Off

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I spent $80,000 having a "smart home" system installed in a new home as it was being built. It is based on a Control 4 system and it never works right. It is one of the most frustrating experiences I have ever had. I wish I had never entered into the venture.
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Control4

I am so sorry to hear about your experience with your Control4 system. Can you please send me an email with your contact information? I would like to see how we can help resolve the current issues you have with your home system so we can help improve your experience.

eestes@control4.com

Happy New Year!

-EE

Raenell Oej

Control4 from Magnolia

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

Had control4 installed in our new build. To be quite honest it has never been a 100% reliable.

One of our zones has a tv that hasn't worked for years, but every time we call someone out from our installer it takes us over an hour to get through to them and costs us $100. That isn't the real problem. We just came back from Christmas and our TV's wouldn't turn on. So once again we had to call the Magnolia/Best Buy (read as sit on the phone for 2 hrs), and wait two days without TV for them to come out.

Well they got out here today and come to find out the unit is busted and we got a quote of over $5500 to fix it. This system is under 3 yrs old! The truly infuriating part is that there is an $1800 charge for labor! A five year old could install the system at this point, however you aren't allowed to just plug in cords by yourself....

no you have to call a "dealer" to do it for you.

Bottom line: I wouldn't buy a system that costs you over 5k (and mine is relatively simple as it only controls 3 zones with audio video) every couple of years and that costs $1800 in labor. I would definitely avoid buying this system from Magnolia/Bestbuy

View full review
Loss:
$5800
Cons:
  • Service aspect
  • Its unreliability
  • System quality
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

1 comment
Control4

I am so sorry to hear about your experience with your Control4 system. Control4 is a professional home automation system that does require an authorized dealer for install/support but there is software available that gives you the opportunity to add programming yourself and I would be happy to discuss this with you.

Can you please send me an email with your contact information? I would also like to see how we can help out with your hardware issues and find you a new dealer.

eestes@control4.com

Happy New Year!

-EE

Anonymous

Update your software!!!

You claim to be a home automation expert company, yet you sell products that you do not even seem capable of updating. I paid a lot of money for my system...

now get off your *** and update it to iOS 11. I used to recommend you to people. Trust me when I tell you, I can cost you more new customers than you would ever pick up with my recommendations.

Stop being punk assed little *** and update your ***! {{Redacted}} There, now you have “at least 100 words” ( stupid assed requirement)

View full review
Reason of review:
Already explained

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

2 comments
Guest

I don't particularly care for the business model which ties the customer to the dealer forever. As a user I should be able to update the software on any device in my home quickly and easily without any cost.

With Control 4 nothing is easy. I have found this to be a complex, buggy system.

Any change requires a dealer home visit which is at least $150 and hard to schedule (at their convenience, not mine). I recommend people do not buy this system.

Control4

Thank you for your question, I would be happy to answer it for you. In 2014, Control4 released an iOS 11 compatible 64 bit app with our OS 2.6.0 software release.

In order to take advantage of this app and our latest features, please contact your dealer so they can update your system.

Our latest software release is OS version 2.10.0. For more information about our app and iOS 11, please click the link below or send me an email and I would be happy to answer any questions you have.

https://www.control4.com/blog/2017/09/ios-11-updates-affecting-legacy-myhome-app-for-control4-homes

eestes@control4.com

Thanks!

-EE

View more comments (1)
Shontel Kvu

Control4 System Does Not Work

Multiple issues with my Control4 system. We use it just to control the TVs and DVD players.

Now, nothing connects so cannot control anything. It is supposed to make life simpler but I long for the days of a simple TV remote. It's 7:00p on a Saturday so the only way to troubleshoot the system is to wait until Monday morning and contact a dealer. They charge a minimum of $95/hr so now I'm looking at a $400 bill just to watch TV.

Control4 would be much better if they allowed owners to configure/troubleshoot their own system. At this point, I cannot recommend Control4.

View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

1 comment
Control4

I am so sorry to hear about your experience with your Control4. Can you please send me an email with your contact information?

I would like to know more about the issues you have and how we can work with your dealer to correct them. As well, we can go over troubleshooting steps and what options you have as a user to configure your system.

eestes@control4.com

Thank you!

-EE

Resolved
Taniesha Dwy

Resolved: Do not buy Control 4

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Updated by user Nov 27, 2017

As per my updated comment, Control 4 reached out and contacted my dealer who came and performed the update free of charge. Control 4 has also offered to pay for an updated main processor as mine is 7 years old.

Updated by user Nov 27, 2017

After I posted my review, I received an email and then phone call from Elliot Estes at Control 4. My dealer had sold their business and Elliot located the new owners and explained my situation.

Lorenzo from Connected Spaces in Richmond called me. He arranged to come to...

Original review Oct 31, 2017
I just found this website. I spent $45,000 on a control 4 system for my remote home.

I have had more problems with it then satisfaction. Over time my door Bell stopped working, then one of my cameras, now I would just rely on being able to control my lighting remotely but with the iOS 11 upgrade that has stopped too. If you are looking at smart home technology DO NOT CHOOSE CONTROL 4. It will bleed you dry trying to get your components to work on a consistent basis.

Now as others write my system version 2.5.3 needs upgrading as Control 4 won’t pay the money to update their software and I will be needing to pay again to control my lights and view 2 of my 3 cameras. I will be installing a nest doorbell which is cheap and I’ve been told reliable.
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Control4

I am so sorry to hear about the issues with your Control4 system. Can you please send me an email with your contact information? I would like to see how we can help get your system up to date and correct the issues you're having.

eestes@control4.com

Thank you!

-EE

Anonymous
map-marker Fullerton, California

No one helped me

I am very pissed my iPhone can’t control my TV.
View full review
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
1 comment
Control4

Hello,

I'm so sorry to hear that you can't control your TV with the Control4 app on your iPhone. Is it only your TV that you can't control4? Can turn on your TV with the control4 remote? I would like to help. Can you please email me your contact information?

eestes@control4.com

Thanks!

-EE.

Anonymous

BACK STABBERS

WE STARTED SELLING CONTROL4 WHEN THEY 1ST STARTED IN THE BEGINNING. THE EQUIPMENT HAS REQUIRED UPGRADES EVERY 2 YEARS TO KEEP UP WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY NOT TO MENTION TO IMPROVE UPON IT LOCKING UP ALL THE TIME. AFTER 10 YEARS OF SELLING IT THEY HAVE DECIDED THAT WE DON'T SELL ENOUGH SO THEY ARE CANCELLING OUR DEALER AGREEMENT. THIS MEANS THAT ALL OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS THAT WE INSTALLED EQUIPMENT WITH WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM US. THIS IS THE WORST COMPANY TO DO BUSINESS WITH, MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM THEM AS POSSIBLE. "RIP OFF"
View full review
Pros:
  • Flakes
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

Anonymous

System doesn’t work properly and slow response from dealer

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full

We have been having issues with temperature control and Control4 stepped in and helped resolved the situation. I have emails of having to contact the dealer at least three times to get a response.

I’ve changed cell carriers and I emailed about a month ago and my account is still not updated (so I’m not synced up with the doorbell feature).

It takes months to resolve minor issues. We are thinking of reinstall our whole house with another system so that we can have better control.

View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Control4

I am so sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your Control4 system. Can you please send me an email with your contact information? I would like to help you find a new dealer that will provide you better service and get your doorbell working with your phone.

eestes@control4.com

Thanks!

-EE