Angry Consumer Attacks ADT Sales Representative over Contract

Many of us have probably lost our patience – and perhaps our temper – with a door-to-door salesperson at some point. And these days, there are more salespeople than ever selling alarm systems and services. Lots of them are “door knockers,” canvassing neighborhoods for the next target, and several of those door knocking companies have been in big trouble for using pressure tactics and less than ethical methods to sell (here’s a great post on that score). Other alarm sales people are merely responding to a homeowner requesting an in-home demonstration. But just because the consumer asked for the visit, there's no guarantee that it will go well – as shown by this story from Harris County, Texas, about an ADT alarm salesman who must be second-guessing his career choice.

A salesman going about his regular sales business came across one very angry customer who wasn’t particularly happy with the estimate provided for his security system. The man, who didn’t like the contract, lunged at the salesman with a fork, bit off part of his ear and broke 10 of his ribs before “three deputies and two tasers” managed to pull him off.

Bit off part of his ear, and broke ten ribs? Now that is one unhappy homeowner. I’ve heard of lots of ADT customers being very unhappy about service after the fact, but not before they even sign the contract! And apparently that contract was the source of the incident. What Started the Altercation

According to the complaint, [ADT Sales representative] Yaqub Bham went to David Neinberg’s residence. Nienberg had solicited ADT’s service, and in response ADT dispatched Bham to Nienberg’s residence to provide him with a quote for residential security services.

So far, so good. And it sounds like this was a request to the “real” ADT, not one of their many “authorized dealers” who operate around the US under the ADT umbrella. It’s important to know the difference, by the way. What Happened Next

Nienberg became angry while reviewing the contract for a security system. When Bham offered to change the contract or draw up another one, Nienberg took Bham’s backpack with his vehicle keys in it, and refused to surrender it. Nienberg then lunged at Bham with a fork. Nienberg’s relatives took the fork away, but Nienberg nevertheless managed to get Bham in a choke hold, and was able to beat him and bite him.

Bodily Harm – over an Alarm Contract? Even after police arrived at his residence, Nienberg refused to let go of Bham. Ultimately, it took three deputies and two tasers to pull Nienberg off of Bham. As a result of the attack, a portion of Bham’s ear was bitten off by Nienberg, and he broke 10 ribs. Yaqub Bham sued David Nienberg in Harris County Court. As I’ve said here before, FrontPoint has never sold door-to-door – so fortunately our security consultants have never been subjected to treatment like this. What happened to Mr. Bham is enough to make any door knocker think twice, especially since this homeowner asked for the meeting in the first place! But homeowners can also be at risk from burglars posing as alarm salespeople, and this happens: it’s safer to shop on-line, where you can quickly learn why FrontPoint is the nationwide leader in interactive, wireless home security: our long list of five-star reviews spells out very clearly what makes us the #1 ranked alarm company in the US. Being on top means we have to prove ourselves in every aspect of our business – with systems that are safer, smarter, simpler, more affordable, and virtually impossible to defeat. And best of all, you never have to wonder if that shady person at your door is from FrontPoint – he’s not. Don’t let him in, and please do not bite him!