AMOS T Geb

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Verified Reviewer

I am pssied off from their service

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Updated by user Dec 16, 2019

NOTHING

Original review Dec 14, 2019
They are trying to force me to buy new IPAD just to control my system. My IPAD 2 is not working with them any longer.
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Pros:
  • Great when it works
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

3 comments
Guest

You're complaining you need to upgrade your 8 year old tablet to work with your current home automation system? That setup is in the thousands and you can't afford new ipads? Get over yourself.

AMOS T Geb
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1789571

yes, I am in pension and I bought the Control 4 6 years ago while I was working - now days I do not work and still like to watch TV. All they need to do is to let people use the old APP version and not forcing to buy useless new IPAD as mine works perfectly with ALL other systems. Shame on a company like control4.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of AMOS T Geb

I don't think you know how software works. Keeping multiple versions available would be a nightmare from a tech support perspective just look at the android o/s versus ios. Shame on them lol

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AMOS T Geb

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

BAD SERVICE

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Why should i buy a new Ipad just because my IPAD IOS 9.3.5 does not work with control4 any longer?
View full review
Loss:
$1200
Pros:
  • When it work very good
Cons:
  • Changing without solution to old customer is very bad
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Deliver product or service ordered

1 comment
Guest

Magnolia TV Best Buy and Control 4 is beyond a scam ! Never worked right and they failed to tell me its $20 Per month for support and $100 year for Remote 4 .

They have control over updates ( which you’ll need. ) any glitches to the system and & your at their mercy..rip off

Anonymous
map-marker Hammersmith, England

Very expensive to run

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The hardware is very expensive and not reliable at all. My Ampli needed to be replaced after exactly 2 years! The panels keep hanging and need the "Technician" to reset the system! I regret having opted for this system. But I know other smart home systems are as bad. The worst bit is the service companies who are real pirates charging as much as £200 per hour for something which does not need a rocket scientist to repair. If after a couple of resets and on/offs they don't get the system up and running, they suggest a replacement anyway. That is rarely under £800 even for the smallest pieces.
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1 comment
Guest

Run for the hills or steal to pay for the repairs!

John P Ekl
map-marker Toronto, Ontario

The spending never ends on this overpriced Control 4 system

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It's amazing how every time my Control 4 system goes down, the company and its overpriced service reps continue to shovel S *** down my throat and try to convince me it tastes good.

I've had a Control 4 system for just under 3 years now and after tens of thousands of dollars later, the overpriced spending spree continues.

So the latest fiasco, 2 of my Control 4 Amps decide to malfunction simultaneously the 3rd week of Dec. 2018 after just under 3 years of service.

I called my service tech who was on vacation and was told that I could not get service until mid January which was not acceptable.

So I called Control 4 directly to escalate service and I was told by their rep that Control 4 only has a 2 year warranty (which is ridiculous considering the cost) and they DO NOT service their own products when they're out of warranty. I couldn't believe my ears.. Total extortion by the company.

So in order to keep this expensive system operational, I would have to purchase 2 brand new amps at $1700 each and then because my amps malfunctioned during the holidays I was quoted double time for a tech to come and service the amps.

To the credit of Control 4 they did expedite delivery of the new amps and again they tried to convince me they were doing me a HUGE FAVOUR by charging me MSRP less 15% which is probably still a 1000% mark up. Who charges MSRP these days??? Oh yes, Control 4 does..... And when they offer a meager discount for replacing a *** product that doesn't last, they blatantly expect you to be so ever grateful.

To make matters worse, I was quoted $400 as an Emergency Standard and $200 per hour x 2 hours for the installation.. This quote generally comes with 2 techs but on the day they installed, only 1 tech showed up and took 5 hours to reinstall the amps which then cost me an additional $600 above the quoted price to install the amps which I was told I had no choice but to pay up in full before the tech left if I wanted my system to work. When I complained about the over charges, I was told it was my fault for purchasing an expensive system and I should expect high bills...UNBELIEVABLE. This came from both the company and the techs.

Long and short, every time the system malfunctions, it's apparently my fault as a Control 4 customer and every time I call for service it's minimally $200 just to look at the problem regardless of what causes the problem, and from there to remedy the problem it's usually in the hundreds of dollars. And now with these cheesy 2 year warranties, if something goes down after the warranty period, don't expect service, just another huge bill to replace your overpriced garbage with new overpriced garbage that's likely to go down after another couple years.

As a customer, I've felt from the day I installed this system that I've been constantly held over a barrel for everything and continuously fed nonsense by both the techs and the company itself whenever anything goes wrong.

So if you want to keep spending endless amounts of money on products that continuously need service and have short warranties and if you'd like to be continuously extorted by the technicians that service these products then Control 4 is the right product for you.

Sincerely

Another financially drained Control 4 customer.

View full review
Loss:
$600
Reason of review:
Warranty issue

Preferred solution: Price reduction

3 comments
Ron K Rni

3 minutes ago RemorsefulBloodhound Ron King - System never works but you will need to to pay for service. TOTAL JUNK!

I would like to hear back from people that have had system installed for awhile and preferably a larger install. My install was over 90,000.00. signed contract mid 2015. Install lasted over 2 years and still not everything was completed or worked.

things were already breaking down and needing replaced at my cost. It was/is a very sloppy install and after over 4 years in service everything has never worked at once. I still have camera's and equipment hanging from wires not sitting on or screwed into anything. They pay their installer 12-15 an hour and bill you 160.00 an hour.

service techs have no idea what they are doing and sit on help lines for hours billing you 160.00 an hour. you cant call a help line only the dealers can. My installers and all of them in my area now want service contracts that run from 50.00-570.00 per month just for them to take and prioritize your call. yes, you still have to pay for everything labor, trip charge, ect.

That's only for service to respond quickly depending on amount of monthly contract.

I finally told my installer to stay away and as things breakdown I am trying to un hook them and get me house back. Its a very expensive lesson.

Ron K Rni

100% agree. How do they get equipment to fail as soon as warranty is out?

I am removing all my equip. Spent around 90K so far and am finished with the excuses and frustration.

John P Ekl
reply icon Replying to comment of Ron K Rni

They have 24/7 access to all of our systems so I wouldn't be surprised if the equipment is programmed to malfunction at certain intervals or with a systems upgrade. Nobody would be the wiser as you can't take their garbage to anyone to repair or diagnose.

I had 2 identical amps that both coincidentally went down at the exact same time. Looking back if I would have thought I would spend this much money on this garbage I would have completely done things differently. But we get lured by the hype and the gadgetry and before you know it you're tens of thousands of dollars in and once you're committed it's hard to leave. I think you're on the right idea.

Cut your losses..

I'm going to do the same on my next major repair. And I doubt we'll even get a call from head office asking why customers like us, who spend close to $100K on sub par electronics are leaving...

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Anna Gvp
map-marker Township 1 Charlotte, North Carolina

Company is a scam

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We tried repeatedly to contact customer advocacy department only to be handed a bunch of lies from their company managers. Opened up a case to have them document my issues , however we've come to the conclusion that this is all a front as they are not interested in the customer experience.

All the while they are kissing the dealers hands to sell, sell , sell and they do not give a hoot whether it works or if its being programmed properly. We have loads of equipment that was installed by First Priority audio which was faulty and also never programmed properly . We were left out in the cold due to the installers who ditched our emails and took our money without even completing the job. Till now control 4 customer advocacy department is avoiding all my calls and emails as they are only interested in the Dealer and not the customer.

Thousands of dollars and time wasted on this subpar company.

I am not surprised as they are dying in this market that is flooded with new technology that anyone can buy and install themselves. Control 4 is obviously suffering and needs to hold on to every last dollar as people would rather use Alexa or nest rather than pay for inferior products and service .

View full review
Loss:
$6
Reason of review:
Work Experience or Job Application

Preferred solution: Full refund

Ron K Rni
map-marker Cincinnati, Ohio

Run as fast as you cam from control4

Updated by user Jul 03, 2019

no contact from control4. just shows once they have your money no one cares.

If you call them they will tell you nothing except send you to another dealer to take your money. But, they will for sure take more of your money if you let them.

expect no good results from anything you buy from them. No issues have been resolved since original post.

Original review Jun 03, 2019
People you should just pack up and run from this system if there is a class action suit I would love to be a part of it. My install is the same as everyone else. Nothing but failure and trying to sell me upgrades. The equipment is only 3 years old 70K plus and they tell me its all out of date. The last issues was the cameras NVR went out bought a new one then they tell me new one wont work with the old cameras even though on website for NVR it said it would. I caught the dealer in a lie, they changed the camera IP address and when I loaded that in guess what the old cameras worked. That's how they work. He wont even return my e-mails or calls now. Good thing is since they have not came back out to fix what they sabatoged nothing else has gone down. As the equipment goes out I am removing it from my house and would advise anyone else to do the same. It's the only way to stop the bleeding from these guys. I think control4 and most if not all of the installers have no ethics other wise control4 would step up and resolve some of the issues.
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1 comment
Guest

My alarm system works fine. But my TV is horrible.

The picture is good but has nothing to do with control 4. What is bad is the extremely slow remote control. I have 3 tv’s and the two that are hooked directly to AT&T work perfectly. But the 1 controlled by Control 4 is very slow changing channels or anything I choose to do.

The Control 4 remote is extremely hard to use since it doesn’t come with any owners manual. The remote also is very poorly marked. It’s taken me 9 months to figure it out. I agree with everyone who hates this system.

It’s expensive and not worth the cost.

If it’s offered to you find another installation company. This system was recommended by the contractor who built my new home and it’s the only thing I wish I didn’t do.

Ron K Rni

Contol4 waste of money

spent $90,000.00 upgrading existing newer home with control4 some of the items on quote have never worked and as everyone says most of the others are very glitchy. took 2 years for what is installed and after 3-4 years total from start they tell me its all outdated.

I did have them sell me a new NVR for 2,000.00 in because the original one that never really worked 100% was out of date and it had a constant alarm from day one that they said proved it needed to be replaced. paid for it in December 2019 and as of this review April 2019 it still does not work. now they want me to replace all the camera's I said *** no they put 2 in and those don't work either meanwhile they are still pushing all new equipment and service plans that run from over 600.00 per month to 60.00 per month. that's how they make the money.

I have to unplug the control4 box on bedroom tv every time to watch it. They came out the one time it worked and said nothing was wrong, later that night I had to unplug it again. between last night and this morning just to watch tv and get on internet I had to reboot system 4 times its total junk and very expensive. they do sit at your house on phone with support and bill you for it.

I would think for that price they would know what they are doing. if they would let me I could talk to support and fix it. The next thing I pay for will be for the removal of all the equipment except alarm and sono's those for the most part seem to work. They really do suck and it is a huge waste of money.

I would never buy a house that has it installed without subtracting the cost of removal from the purchase price.

I will also add when the y do fix one thing 2 or 3 others seem to go wrong or missing and yes you pay to have that fixed. stay away, I cant say it enough...

View full review
Loss:
$90
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

4 comments
Ron K Rni

3 minutes ago RemorsefulBloodhound Ron King - System never works but you will need to to pay for service. TOTAL JUNK!

I would like to hear back from people that have had system installed for awhile and preferably a larger install. My install was over 90,000.00. signed contract mid 2015. Install lasted over 2 years and still not everything was completed or worked.

things were already breaking down and needing replaced at my cost. It was/is a very sloppy install and after over 4 years in service everything has never worked at once. I still have camera's and equipment hanging from wires not sitting on or screwed into anything. They pay their installer 12-15 an hour and bill you 160.00 an hour.

service techs have no idea what they are doing and sit on help lines for hours billing you 160.00 an hour. you cant call a help line only the dealers can. My installers and all of them in my area now want service contracts that run from 50.00-570.00 per month just for them to take and prioritize your call. yes, you still have to pay for everything labor, trip charge, ect.

That's only for service to respond quickly depending on amount of monthly contract.

I finally told my installer to stay away and as things breakdown I am trying to un hook them and get me house back. Its a very expensive lesson.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Ron K Rni

Agree! Piece of JUNK ! Exact same issues as everyone else

Ron K Rni

some updates on my system. I have totally removed the control4 box from bedroom tv and now use the direct tv remote, forgot how well that worked.

Refuse to buy another box from the control4 installer. Also caught the installer in a lie. they changed the IP address when installing the new NVR but never programed it in, so the cameras did not work in an effort to sell me all new cameras. I loaded the new IP in my ipad and all the cameras came back up.

I still cant view them on tv because they wont come back out and correct unless I pay them a second time. Keep in mind I paid for this in December and it still does not work, nor will they respond to my questions about why they did this. The only e-mail I received back was" Looks like we are not able to make you happy so we are discontinuing service on your account" My advise to anyone considering control4 is DONT. Its a horrible system with no support, bad equipment and dishonest installers.

Its no wonder control4 does not allow reviews on its web site. That would let everyone know if they should invest in this.

Guest

I have almost exactly the same scenario. Spent over 70k and nothing works consistently.

Seems like every month or two we have something go out and requires a 150/hr tech to come out. It sucks beyond all belief. My whole family hates that I put it in and are always mad at me because it never works when we need it. Cameras have never worked.

Internet is spotty all over the house and I have 3 access points.

Music and TVs outside have to be turned on inside the house. I will never recommend this to anyone else.

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Anonymous
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Awful Product

We bought our Control4 through Best Buy four months ago. So far, we've had two service calls at the cost of $150 EACH which we had to pay upfront. That's $300 of repairs for a $1,000 product in less than half a year. To add insult to injury, we've been waiting a week for the Control4 technician to fix our unit. We've already paid the $150. We've made several calls and were told someone would contact us. So far, no one has called us and we have no tv. Do not buy this product. It's awful.
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Lewis M Leh
map-marker Houston, Texas

Horrible Decision

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When purchasing Control4 it sounds pretty cool. I can change the thermostat and tv channel in another part of the house. Then it has a glitch. You have to call someone to do everything which means a service call. In the near future someone shows up and tell you that you have to get a software update and your boxes aren’t compatible. How much? Errrr huhhhh $5000.00. It is very complicated and will take many hours. This was my favorite “there are many wires”. These guys bill out like they work a New York Law Firm. You can not do anything without a trained authorized Control4 tech. I am staring at thousands of dollars of audio and video equipment and can’t watch tv in any part of my house. I wish I never got it. The initial $25k was a waste. Someone from corporate will call but the EMS result is I either take it out or pay someone another $10k or $15k to make it work on top of the $4k I paid a month or so ago to have unit rolled out of closet to another room so we could watch one tv while the floor was getting refinished. That was a surprise.
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Reason of review:
Pricing issue
2 comments
Ron K Rni

3 minutes ago RemorsefulBloodhound Ron King - System never works but you will need to to pay for service. TOTAL JUNK!

I would like to hear back from people that have had system installed for awhile and preferably a larger install. My install was over 90,000.00. signed contract mid 2015. Install lasted over 2 years and still not everything was completed or worked.

things were already breaking down and needing replaced at my cost. It was/is a very sloppy install and after over 4 years in service everything has never worked at once. I still have camera's and equipment hanging from wires not sitting on or screwed into anything. They pay their installer 12-15 an hour and bill you 160.00 an hour.

service techs have no idea what they are doing and sit on help lines for hours billing you 160.00 an hour. you cant call a help line only the dealers can. My installers and all of them in my area now want service contracts that run from 50.00-570.00 per month just for them to take and prioritize your call. yes, you still have to pay for everything labor, trip charge, ect.

That's only for service to respond quickly depending on amount of monthly contract.

I finally told my installer to stay away and as things breakdown I am trying to un hook them and get me house back. Its a very expensive lesson.

Ron K Rni

cut your losses and run. It's always buy this and buy that.

I put around 90K in mine then decided to remove things as they stop working. We need to get the word out about this junk..

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Barbara V Squ

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

Your equipment is costing me a small fortune in failures

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Ever since we had a Control 4 System installed in our home we have been plagued with problems - expensive problems! We received our CO in 2015 and we have had a nightmare of service calls over the past 2 1/2 years, many of which are costly and represent ongoing expenses that we never bargained for.

We were sold a "smart house" but we ended up with a dumb house with even dumber owners who keep throwing good money after bad. It seems that whenever we have an equipment failure, now that the warranties have expired, we are told we are getting a better product - why didn't we get a better product in the first place? We were never given the option.

Now we are faced with a failed Matrix ($10,000) which is supposedly due to "weather", an Ipad that has almost never been used is now dead (I've been using an Apple Ipad for over 8 years with no problems for personal use), a pool camera is out (no reason given). The list goes on.

Now I am being asked to pay $210 for the privilege to pay $21+ per month for remote monitoring when we travel. What a joke - when we travel we try to view the cameras but it seems we generally find one inoperable. For the past several years we only paid the $21+ per month. Now we have to pay an additional $210?

Ridiculous.

Our Control 4 System has become a never-ending money pit. I think perhaps we should buy a boat - it might actually be better use of our money

View full review
Loss:
$12000
Cons:
  • Equipment malfunctions at my expense
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

5 comments
Vick Uif

Please contact me. I have posted about Control4 and everyone on here “Pissed Off Consumer” is here for the same reason....Their system isn’t working and they consider it the worst investment of their lives, just as our family does.

The equipment is a joke. On this site are real reviews on Control4; not manufactured or purchased “good reviews” by Control4. If you would like to be involved in the Class Action Lawsiut against Control4, feel free to call me and I will direct you to our law firm. My name is Kendall Harter from AUSTIN, Texas.

I can be reached at (830) 693-****. I’m sorry for your experience with Control4... it will never end.

We have been dealing with this for 5 years. It’s been horrible.

Control4

Hello SquealingSquid,

I'm very sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your Control4 system. You mentioned a few major issues - video matrix, iPad, and camera, I would like to find more information about these issues and the rest of the problems you have. As well you mentioned remote monitoring - Control4 offers a 4Sight license which gives you remote access plus additional benefits which we can talk more about. Can you please send me an email so we can schedule a time to look over your list of issues and see how we can help improve your Control4 experience.

eestes@control4.com

Thank you,

-EE

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Control4

My email is sisvandorn@***.com Thank you - I hope you can resolve my issues as they just keep on coming. The latest is a TV that kept going out (dark) although we did not lose our audio.

Vitex sent two techs to the house and we were told that they updated the drivers but they couldn't be certain that would fix the issue. I don't think they know what they are doing and as a result we are fed up with the equipment they installed....your equipment mostly although there are other brands in our "rack".

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1577061

Again, thank you for responding to my post last month - I have been traveling and have not been able to focus on my problems with Control 4. We arrived home yesterday and Vitex (our A/V company) had to come back out due to a TV acting up.

Then today, they had to come out again due to a very slow internet; so slow, in fact, that when I ran the “speed check” app I received an error message that it could not access the internet. Today the tech informed me sent some kind of signal to the antennas to boost them in some way. Now it is working. I feel that we have been “sold a bill of goods” and the company that installed your equipment (Vitex) either used faulty equipment, did not know what they were doing, or installed outdated equipment…or all three.

It seems that every time we have a problem (which is often) they have a solution with an update. Why don’t they simply keep our system up to date so we don’t have to experience the failures and outages? If there is another company serving the Naples area, I’m all in. I am sick and tired of shelling out good money after bad to try to keep our Control 4 System operational.

I did talk with a rep from another company a few months back and he told me we should not have D-Link equipment installed with our Control 4 System. Well, we do - is that another instance of Vitex using up old or outdated equipment on our initial install?

Vick Uif
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1577246

My name is Kendall Harter. I am a customer with Control4 that has had similar experiences and spent over $124,000.00 on our Control4 system...

almost half of that is continuous service calls. If you would like to be part of a Class-Action Lawsuit, we have the best law firm in the Country I can direct you to. We can make this right for everyone. I can be reached at (830) 693-****.

I’m sorry you are having the terrible experience of so many. A very, very expensive and endless cycle of throwing good money after bad... it’s what all Control4 customers experience based on this platform.

We’ve begged for help and Control4 walked away.... after spending a small fortune, they simply walked away!

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Anonymous
map-marker Plainfield, New Jersey

A trap

buy it and have to pay for every change you'll ever do. new tv, call the installer new blue ray call the installer new anything...you guessed it call the installer
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1 comment
Guest

I feel your pain

Anonymous

Pyramid scam. Company hires dealers to steal from consumers.

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Can’t add music services without paying dealer to help “install”. There are lots of better options that allow consumers to add upgrades and services without the dealers hand going in your pocket!!
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1 comment
Terrin Lwy

I’m a Control4 technician. There is a driver that can be added remotely to the system that allows you to choose the added music steaming sources you’d like to use. Call the company that installed it and they can add it remotely and never roll a truck.

M H Iid
map-marker Stone Mountain, Georgia

Confused Consumer

We purchased a home w/ Control4. The owners died and we purchased Home from their children. So there’s no info on system. I did contact a local dealer but it was going to cost $4k to make some updates & changes. That seems a bit excessive for something we don’t understand or know how it works. Is there any info on how to “see what we really have” or “convert this to another type of home automation?”
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Larry O Aop
map-marker New Orleans, Louisiana

My remote is broken

My remote batteries went dead now it doesn’t work I put new batteries in it will not come oN. This is the second time this happened the first time my dealer brought me a new remote now I can’t get in touch with him I only have a system for about three months I have all my TVs hooked up to this and I only have one remote that’s working half the time what do I do about this can somebody tell me how I can program my other remote to work it doesn’t even turn on the cable and the volume does not even work for someone please tell me what to do
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Art G Daa

EXPENSIVE SERVICE

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The system goes out very often - and it is impossible to service yourself. My network connects on the patio about 50% of the time, and on some TV's, the remote works, but the phone connection does not, or vice versa.

But worse, is the inability to update on your own.

I recently had to change out two cable boxes from Xfinity - the cost to get them integrated into the system - about $900!!!! That is ridiculous.

I am ready to another system - every time the system needs updating, it costs at least $400.

Why doesn't the system allow you to do simple maintenance on your own?

View full review
Cons:
  • It is unreliable and requires service too often
Reason of review:
Bad quality

Preferred solution: Let me do simple maintenance on the system and updates, or simply go to another system

2 comments
Control4

Hello WhichSpiderMonkey153,

I'm very sorry to hear about the issues you're having with your Control4 system. We have a few solutions available to you that would give you more control over your system, but please understand Control4 is a professional installation that does require dealer assistance. Your network is the backbone of your system and we discuss the app issues you've been having. If you can please send me an email with your contact information, we can schedule some time to see how we can improve your Control4 experience.

eestes@control4.com

Thank you,

-EE

Ron K Rni
reply icon Replying to comment of Control4

professional installation. Dude really.

You must not have a system. Its a huge waste of money, time and nothing but frustrating.

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