Alert1 is a medical alert company that opened its first location back in 1988 and has been catering to seniors’ needs ever since. Its innovative products have helped to save thousands of lives and prevent countless injuries and it is a major player in the medical alert industry.
About Alert1
Alert1 is chaired by Peter Kelly and located in Williamsport, PA. It serves customers across the United States and works with police departments, fire departments, and EMTs nationwide.
All of Alert1's products and accessories can be purchased online and over the phone. The company is certified by the Payment Card Industry (PCI), which guarantees the safe collection and storage of payment information. For instance, it monitors telephone calls (as do most companies) but stops this monitoring as soon as payment details are being transferred. All of these protocols, in addition to advanced SSL certification, help to keep consumers safe while they shop.
The Alert1 command centers support 190 languages and promise that regardless of the language you speak, they will be able to help.
Alert1 Medical Alert Systems
There are five different packages available in the Alert1 store, but these consist of three different products, each offering something different and catering to all types of consumer. These three products are as follows:
In-The-Home Base Unit
A landline or wireless system (wireless is $10 extra per month) that comes with a waterproof help button and connects you to an emergency operating center with a single push. The unit connects to a main power source and comes with a 24-hour backup battery.
The wearable button is available as a necklace or bracelet and can be taken in the shower and used anywhere around the house and yard. It has a range of 600 feet and features powerful two-way communication.
The unit costs $28.95 a month when you purchase it on a month-by-month contract and $19.95 a month when you purchase on a 10-month contract. There is a generous refund policy and free shipping, but you'll need to pay a $19.95 activation fee when you make your initial payment.
On-the-Go Mobile Alert
A mobile unit that you can take with you wherever you go. It doesn't require a landline or Wi-Fi connection and it can be programmed to contact loved ones, neighbors, caregivers, or EMTs in the event of an emergency.
The pendant comes with two-way communication and can be worn around the wrist or neck. The battery lasts for 30 days and can be recharged quickly.
Automatic Fall Detection
For an extra $8 a month, you can add automatic fall detection to your On-the-Go or In-The-Home package. It will connect you to the command center in the event of a fall. The device uses accelerometers to detect a fall, which means you'll get help even if you're not able to press the alert button.
When purchasing your medical alert system online, just select the option for "Fall Detection" and it will be added to your package.
Alert1 Reviews
Alert1 is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and currently holds an A rating. There are multiple listings for companies with names that use some variation of "Alert1" or "Alert 1," and to make things even more confusing, there are a couple for this company, including a headquarters page for "Alert 1" and a San Jose location under "Alert1."
In both cases, their reviews are terrible and are made up of numerous complaints. The problem with BBB is that customers don't go there to rave about their great experiences and recommend companies to everyone who will listen. Instead, they go there to complain, vent, and force a seemingly uncooperative company to listen.
Stacks of bad reviews are more indicative of a company with a poor internal complaints procedure than a terrible product or service. Of course, that doesn't invalidate any of the bad reviews and complaints, rather it means that these are not necessarily a reflection of how the company works overall.
It's better to look at user review sites, and when you do, you'll find that the bulk of Alert1 reviews are positive and only a very small minority are negative, as is the case with most companies.