Anonymous

Control4 Home Automation System Review

This control 4 should be control zero because that's what it does. It's pure garbage. $20k invested and it never works. Plus guests never know how to use it if it does work. Whenever the power goes out the system is screwed. Continuous fixes Requiring "updated" equipment is constant. Totally frustrating and a total waste of money
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Bethesda, Maryland

Lousy support

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We spent $20,000 on a Control4 system for an audio/video installation from Best Buy Geek Squad. 2 years later, it's been a system with constant issues. Whenever we have had a power outage, the system needs to be rebooted by someone trained in the system. We are now not getting our calls/emails answered, and are left with an expensive installation that doesn't work. Is there any company out there that will maintain such a system? Control4 does not seem to want to support consumers. I am surprised that a company would let its brand name get trashed by lack of support.
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Loss:
$20000
Cons:
  • Its unreliability
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

4 comments
Guest

OK people, you are suffering from poor customer service issues with the specific dealer(s). For some, it obvious that they did not set a proper expectation or follow up on their commitment.

I hate to see people blame the product, because they trusted the "hype" that bestbuy sold them. If you haven't learned by now, most bestbuy's have their programming done remotely, by someone sitting in Minnesota, that never sets foot in your home. Secondly, a Control4 (or Savant or Crestron) system requires periodic maintenance! Just like your car requires oil changes, tune-ups or even air in the tires!

You don't get those for free, do you? What you are buying is a custom set of gear and programming for your home. None and I mean N-O-N-E, of the Home Automation manufacturers do in-field service, so singling out Control4 isn't fair. That being said, it shouldn't cost you an arm-and-a leg to maintain it either.

So check your installation contract, for any terms or periodic service agreements that may have been in place....you did sign a Contract right??? J

Guest

If I had a dollar for every call that says almost exactly the same story (not necessarily Control4). We are not in your area, but we may be able to suggest some courses of action. You can contact us at www.theavspecialists.com

Guest

We had Best Buy - Magnolia install our Control4 system in our secondary residence. So the system is not being used 24/7.

We had a variety of minor issue the first 3 years such as power failure restarts, remote controls not being able to communicate with the system, system too sensitive (if you push channel up it went up 4 to 5 channels - same with volume). Now is year 5 the system unbelievably sluggish (now waiting 30 to 40 seconds to change channel, volume or pull up guide). Although our online accounts tells up there are upgrades available, our system IS NO upgrading. It tells us to contact our dealer.

Our dealer wants to spend an additional $13,000 to "upgrade" the system and reprogram the software that they programmed in the first place. Several other dealer/authorized service providers have all said the same thing, "oh, you have a HC-300 controller. They have power issues and Control4 is no longer issuing updates for the software. Yep, you'll have to buy new equipment." Seriously?

Two certified Control4 service companies said they could come out and diagnosis the system (which is what Best Buy claims to have done) but, even if the problem is with the Control4 equipment, we will need to pay their hourly rate because COntrol4 will offer absolutely NO ASSISTANCE whatsoever. I just can't throw good money after bad.

We have NEVER experienced such poor customer experience from a company before.

Guest

Our experience as well! We purchased a home that has a system

and the local dealership's lack of responce to questions and service calls for even the most basic instruction is frustrating.

I'm ready to scrap $18,000 worth of equipment and find a reputable dealer that's large and contientious enough to repond and that deserves the business. It might be good equipment with limitless capability but the lack of customer support makes this a BAD VALUE!

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Steffan Wro
map-marker Marble Falls, Texas

Dealer and Control 4 Issues

I spent over $250,000 with a dealer who was a great used car salesman. Thought he knew everything about Control 4 and sub products to attach to it.

Sold my husband and I on everything. Control 4 reps and customer service were at first compassionate but only wanted to help their dealer. The dealer out of Kingsland Texas SStn is a family run business who are great at promising the world, but once they got their money from the contract, they were gone and would not finish things that needed to be completed and fixed. Labelled wiring in the control panels with their own labels, so I would have to call them to find out what to do , and pay them more money.

Then they tried to give me another invoice with no dates and no part# to get more money out of me.

What weasles. Control 4 in Utah wants only to protect their dealers.

View full review
Loss:
$75000
Reason of review:
Dealer and Control 4 Customer Svc

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

Anonymous

Very disappointed with Control 4

We've had Control 4 for right at a year. it's always a mystery as to whether it will work or not. More often than not, we have to turn it on and off three or four times just to have it work at all. We can't call the dealer who put it in as we don't want to have an additional confrontation with them. We had such high hopes when we were sold on the idea that it would work better than our old Logitech. Boy were we mistaken. Learned after the fact how disappointed some friends had been with Control 4. As a lady told us, "I wish y'all had called first and you could have avoided spending all that money on such a piece of junk.
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Guest

Did the same company install all of the systems in the area you live in that are having the issues?

Anonymous
map-marker Seattle, Washington

Control4 is a scam

My installer never told me that my Control4 would essentially be a brick without paying to set it up. This POS doesn't even recognize its own rechargeable battery until you pay to have installer unlock it.

All the protestations of Control4 that consumers will wreck the remote and cause dealers all sorts of problems are absurd. Like with any programmable device, all one needs to do is save the original program (i.e. pay once but not every *** time it needs to be tweaked) and upload if your program isn't working. Or better yet, don't assume that we are idiots and let us program our own.

Huge ripoff and designed to make their remotes attractive to installers who know your are dependent upon them for every little (costly) change to your remote. My logitech does 90% of what this piece of overpriced junk can do - don't but Control4.

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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker Denver, Colorado

Control4 Customer Care Review

The best control4 system is made by URC. When talking to URC tech-support they are pleasant and helpful. Control4 on the other hand is instantly like being *** on. They are disgruntled, rude and instantly assume everybody has spent their entire life trying to figure out a terribly illogical platform.
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anguel Ztv
map-marker Fairfax, Virginia

Control 4 Refusing to Provide Service - Left with broken system

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I have had constant issues with my $10k+ Control 4 system since the day it was installed about 2 years ago. I had lights going on and off themselves, switches not working, icons disappearing, in and out control of basic TV connections...your name it and it went wrong.

Their "Air Play" by the way is the worst of all the products. I got so fed up trying to explain all the issues I had to the techs just to try to schedule an appointment that I broke off ties for a year. Recently I re-engaged because my system was useless and I needed a few fixes to make it function at all on a level that was remotely useful. Literally got an e-mail from a higher end Control 4 Regional $#@!

saying they refused to come do any work on my home, they qualified the circumstances under which they "might" provide service!!! Currently I have a horrible system and a company that holds the monopoly on the techs and refuses to help.

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Loss:
$15000
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker The Woodlands, Texas

Control4 Video Home Automation System Review from The Woodlands, Texas

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I can't agree with this review. I'm now looking for my fourth service dealer.

Last one was recommended by C4 themselves. Unlimited budget... Meaning no cost cutting whatsoever. But even a simple light switch...

I've had to replace 3. I replaced the first controller as the first one was making rackets like an out of balance washing machine. Doorbell with camera/speaker rarely works. I have $45K invested already and it still is a hit and miss system at best.

I am awaiting a reply from C4 themselves, AGAIN! Depending on their response I may just scrap the entire project. My system is relatively simple... Cameras (9), full house simple home audio distribution, one room video, pool control, about 2/3 of my homes lighting (3,000 sq ft), a/c control (on one of 3 units) and simple on/off alarm control (no notifications, etc).

Keep in mind all products are C4 recommended and compatible. I furnished nothing myself, didn't cheap out, researched vendors and the last one was sent to me from C4 meaning they had him contact me and promised he was one of their best in my area, Houston, Tx. In fairness, I will post again IF they come through this time.

If not I'll just post on every site I can find relating to C4 and share my own personal experience.

K.

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Reason of review:
Bad quality
2 comments
Guest

Does anybody know of a good technician in the Ottawa area?

Guest

I'm a long time C4 dealer in Spring. Call me.

I'd love to come visit with you and see how I may help. Much of our work these past 3 years has been cleaning up poor implementations.

Corbin

Home Synthesis, Inc.

two, eight, one, nine, three, two, seven, seven, five, five

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Thien Xgv
map-marker West Hollywood, California

Yup, they are totally terrible

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Spent $25K on my system and despite frequent visits from a tech, which are in themselves almost impossible to get, my system has never functioned 100%. Called to get the surround sound working in the living room but after the visit the AppleTv doesn't work in the Kitchen. Had a tech back out and thought it all was fixed...then realized I can't listen to music in the bedroom and the DVD isn't working. Control4 makes everything extremely difficult and frustrating. My friends don't want to come to my house to watch TV anymore since it involves 20 minutes of trying to get the system to work. How can a product be this terrible??!?!? And have you seen the graphics on the App? Shockingly out of date, ugly and difficult to use!
View full review
Loss:
$25000
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

4 comments
Guest

I am in the same boat. LOTS OF *** Rude people that take no responsibility but pass the buck.

I loathe the day I put this system in my home. Always a problem. Always a break down.

Was conned into upgrades and told I would have no more issues. That lasted a few weeks.

Guest

A custom integrated system from Control4 or any manufacturer is dependent upon the integrator themselves and only marginally on the manufacturer. We unfortunately have received many stories exactly like yours over the years.

We have integrated countless systems over the last 12 years from various manufacturers, and we have found Control4 to be the most reliable and affordable of them all. And personally, I am pretty particular about what we use and represent.

Although we are not exactly next door to you, we would be happy to help with what we can at least through advice. You can contact us through our website at www.theavspecialists.com.

Guest

My husband and I are in the same boat. We are over 35k in and system has never just worked for almost 1 year.

Technicians always have an excuse and seem to "try" to fix never really knowing what's wrong. How can they be allowed to sell and service with an end result that never works? Should have had them pull everything out and started over at first issue.

But they said technology would "learn" and adjust. Should have been a clue when that was their explanation.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1176602

You can see my comment to the original poster. You, however, are in our neighborhood, and you can contact us at www.theavspecialists.com

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Anonymous
map-marker Toronto, Ontario

Problem is not Control4!

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Problem is not Control4!

Client experience and many other ones here has nothing to do with the Control4 hardware. Nowadays, the gear is bulletproof. The user experience has to do with many factors which I will list a few of them bellow:

1. Overal project budget. This is usually a big factor. Case and point: Dealer presents the owner with an estimate, Owner chops the price down and tells the dealer that they will also supply some of the parts. Dealer agrees because he is desperate to work. As a result, overall user experience diminishes greatly and service to the system becomes almost non existent.

2. Owner supplied gear.

3. Dealer experience and know how.

Please choose your dealers after carefully studying their competence and know how, don't margin too much and for sure don't supply your own gear.

I am a turn key CI contractor operating out of Toronto/Canada and I will not be involved in a project unless I design, supply and implement everything. By that I mean everything from complete electrical work, automation, security, vacuum and even as far as building the addition or the complete house.

Best,

Shane

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Reason of review:
Wrong reviews toward a really good brand
5 comments
Guest

Sorry Shane but C4 needs to stand by its equipment and the dealer/installers it recommends. In 2012 we had Best Buy, Magnolia Div., sell and install our simply C4 system.

The only cornervutting we did was to defer adding additional lights and tying in our alarm system. In 2015 C4 no longer issued updates for the C4 HC-300. A little like planned obsolesence. We finally got a local C4 authorized service company who cleaned up some C4 issues we suffered with for 4 years.

Our original system was sold and designed for whole house automation to include home security, lighting, home entertainment, comfort, etc. This past month after both I and the new C4 Dealer contacted C4 and were told that while they recommend that we replace both of our HC-300s (to get more options and current software updates), we could add our security system, more lights and update our Comcast box. After the new installer completed C4 recommended procedures, installed C4 recommended light switches and used C4 recommended interface equipment to integrate the existing alarm system and After 24 man hours and the HC-300s refusing to load the changes, C4 tells our installer that we NEED to buy 2 new director/controllers for the system to work as intended. The reason - C4 no longer manufacturers switches and interfaces for the HC-300s.

When we bought and installed the original system, and what I was told in 2016 by C4, was that we could do add-ins as long as they were not outside the confines of the original systems specifications. So I now have light switches and an alarm system that cannot remotely access ( can't even access them through C4 AT ALL) and I need to use both the Comcast AND C4 remote to use my TVs. But supposedly it can all be fixed for an ADDITIONAL $1500.

And I did my homework on the installer. He also did his homework and had C4 tell him that everything was doable.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1223599

I have to agree with Shane. Control4 isn't a toaster or a DVD player.

It is a complex system of inter-working parts.

And choosing a big box like Best Buy to install something like that was an unfortunate mistake. They are not remotely trained in the intricacies of a complex system like that.

Guest

That's just self-serving BS. If the dealer leaves something undone, won't respond and/or wants to charge you $500 before they even know if it's a $5 fix, then it's still Control 4's fault FOR HAVING THEM REPRESENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Guest

The assertion that the hardware is bulletproof is nonsensical and laughable. Bang for the buck, control4 has a very low return.

The practice of forcing all support towards dealers only serves the control4 business model (control4 and the dealers) and rarely not serves the customers. If the technology requires to have a custom install, not plug and play, the system WILL be riddled with problems and a constant suck on the wallet.

Guest

I had the best installer in the area install mine, upgraded to the best as soon as the newer equipment was available and it's still a nightmare. Tv turns on, no sound, tv turns on and but doesn't and there's only sound.

Tv doesn't turn on. The WD that's Hooked up to it never turns on. Everytime theirs a problem I have to contact the installer - dealer.

That's a charge every time. As soon as I figure out how to get a replacement product the Control 4 is in the trash.

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Anonymous

Control 4, worst decision ever

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We hired a company called Prestige Home Theater, located in Holiday, Fl., to do a sound system in our home. We dealt with Keith Senatore, the President. After reviewing our homes existing equipment, which included a Verizon Fios router,he recommended a Control 4 system, which he said would give us excellent sound, and would be completely compatible with our router. He said it was a 1 day installation, as all but 2 speakers were already installed and wired in our home. After 4 visits from Keith, separated by many days in between, the system was still not working consistently. About the best we could hope for was a few hours before it would go down. We were not able to reboot it ourselves, even with Keith Senatore walking us through the process by phone. He would always have to come and reboot it for us.

After about 3 weeks of this, when it became clear it wasn't getting any better, my husband called Mr. Senatore, and asked if would agree to take back the equipment, and give us a full refund for the equipment that was being removed. In exchange my husband offered to let Mr. Senatore keep the full $1700 labor fee- we only asked for our equipment money back. Mr. Senatore agreed, and he came and removed all of the equipment, except for 3 small items not related to control 4 specifically, and for which we agreed to pay him. His parting words to me were, I will send you a check at the end of the week. That was in early December.

After he removed the equipment, we did not hear from Mr. Senatore for some time.

We began trying to contact him via email. First, he told us that he had not kept any of the boxes, so he was charging us a restocking fee, of approximately 35%. He never told us this prior to removing the equipment from our home.

Then he started saying that Control 4 is incompatible with our Verizon Router, and that the we did not allow him the opportunity to replace our router and make the system work. He won't give us our money back.

Mr. Senatore never proposed a new Router at any time, until after the fact. I am trying to get a hold of Control 4 to find out if they are willing to put into writing that Control 4 is incompatible with Verizon Fios routers. I have spoken to 2 other authorized Control 4 dealers,

including Magnolia, and they are telling me that Control 4 is compatible with Verizon routers.

I wish I would have gone on line and read all these reviews before I allowed someone to put a Control 4 system in my home.

We are out a great deal of money, the whole thing was awful- I am only grateful that my husband put the brakes on before we got to the point of some of the losses described here by other people. If anyone is thinking about Control 4, think again.

View full review
Loss:
$4700
Cons:
  • Control4s local dealer
Reason of review:
Problems with payment

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

I am sorry for you having these issues with Control 4. I am a Control 4 dealer in tampa.

You have to be careful with what dealer you go with. Control 4 is very data intensive on your network. A lot of "dealers" think you can run Control 4 of a Verizon or Brighthouse router which is not the case. That leads to 90% of issues with Control 4.

I couldn't tell you how many Control 4 dealers in the tampa area don't understand what they are selling and what is needed for it to function properly. I have done many Control 4 takeover jobs in the tampa/clearwater area and you have to know your product. Every house I have done, is using Verizon for the internet provider but I do not use there router. There router is necessary for there cable boxes since it provides the guide and on demand content.

I put there router behind mine for it to work properly. If you have any questions, please contact me at 727-862-****. My company is called AVS Web. I am a gold dealer for Control 4.

I do all of the programming, engineering, and installation. Let me know if you have any questions.

Anonymous
map-marker Massillon, Ohio

Control4 System Review from Massillon, Ohio

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My control 4 system is the biggest piece of *** I've ever experienced. I spent $30,000 and I can't watch TV. My lights don't work, no music....I called the local dealers Rep Jason from Sound And Vision in Akron Ohio no return phone calls I'm tired of it. He go days without returning my phone calls. I am a custom home builder and I have put this *** in so many homes, not all with Jason. This *** doesn't work!!! Always falls off, doesn't up date....ect lots of excuses Blah Blah Blah. Trust me on this, between sound and vision, and Sentry security BriAn Reese, there is no follow thru. I want some resolution to my issues. Thank god you didn't screw up the internet for us !!! Another very pissed off customer. Blog is starting since I have internet... Edward Domer
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Latiana Cai
map-marker Sumner, Washington

Control4 Home Automation System Review

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Worst system ever. Cost us over 60,000 and it has never worked. Trained technicians are few and far between and have cost us thousands in maintenance. Wish I could just take this piece of *** out of my house
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Santa Cruz, California

Poor customer service

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Control4 home automation turns a simple night of watching TV at home into a never ending huge frustration. The equipment frequently malfunctions or needs replacement.

There are no options for customer service and the consumer is left to rely on the dealer for providing all customer service needs. Our dealer never even calls us back and he's open by appt. only.

It's was very expensive to buy and install the equipment and quite often we find we cannot watch tv because a part malfunctioned. I would pay the guy to just remove his junk from my loft but he won't call me back.

View full review
Loss:
$50000
Cons:
  • Service aspect
  • Do as long as they push control4 products
Reason of review:
customer service stinks

Preferred solution: Deliver product or service ordered

Anonymous
map-marker Livingston, New Jersey

Control4 System Review from Livingston, New Jersey

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I absolutely HATE control 4. There arent enough words in the English language to describe my frustration with this product.

The product DOES NOT work. I have to contact my dealer for every malfunction. And malfunctions happen a few times a day!!!! I want everyone whos considering this product to know the truth.

It cost us fifty thousand dollars!!! I have nothing but frustration with control 4.

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Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Guest

The system I have works great. Very stable and reliable.

The only problem I had was related to my local cable company and not the Control4 system itself.

Unfortunately there are only a handful of dealers that know how to install it correctly. Lucky I was fortunate to find one the few from the beginning.

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