Vanolarm  Avis 94

Bought this system due to the good write up. Received the system and found a problem just when opening one of the boxes with trouble trying to open the battery compartment. Due to this I instantly raised a return request. The entire system was sent back as received. they then tried telling me that I wasn't going to get a full refund as there was damages, I had removed the SIM card and activated the system of which was all untrue considering I had only opened one of the numerous boxes. They are trying to scam people by the looks of it. I've been left with no choice but report this company to Trading Standards and go to the small claims court to recover the money they refuse to pay me back.

Had the system just over 3yrs and today it died. Blue charge lights have finally stopped working and now it won’t charge. The unit has been a temperamental (me being conservative with my language here) son of a gun over these years. Tracking/geofencing is a gimmick to the point my van is outside but according to vanolarm it’s 2miles away, no 400m, it’s in the sea🤬 made it to the Isle of Man once. I’ve mounted the unit on rear doors, side doors, on the bulkhead but sim communication has always been spasmodic at best. Next to a window in the cab seems to work the best but this has not been ideal for me as the sounder units are in the back protecting my tools. Never been able to buy accessories (an extra sounder unit for the front) to compliment my existing set, another full system was my only option. IOS app is a joke, really it is. Low battery 10% constant notifications and false alarms, especially vibration, led me to un trust this system to the point of altering communication to my mobile phone as my 1pmobile account had used “a lot ££££” more data than expected. Now I’m looking at purchasing a rivals system to protect my van and tools rather than reinvesting in a replacement. Buyers Beware of the real possibility of being disappointed.

Great product!! I brought Vanolarm as extra security on my Campervan and have set up the vanolarm as per there video for a Campervan instal. I’m really happy with the product and works as its stated on there website, it has only been installed for 2 weeks. But very impressed so far and can’t understand the other reviews, maybe in 6 months I will have different opinion, but for now an excellent product and great value for money!

Had it a month now wont call the smart alarm when sirens go off
customer services not so good just send links over and over again
no helpline
ive put back in the box on shelf in the shed

Just purchased a replacement siren/dector unit. The original unit (one of four) stopped working after 24 months. The replacement will not pair with existing key fob, after several attempts. The replacement key fob is still a low quality plastic unit, which breaks very easily, when attached to a key ring. Waiting to see what Vanolarms response is. But seriously considering dumping this system.

EDIT: updated after 6 months of ownership. Downgraded from 3 to 2 stars. The sirens fall off the doors, no notice on battery failure. The controller despite being always plugged in occasionally it decides to stop charging, mobile signal is sketchy at best.

ORIGINAL:

The product is disappointing in many ways, but with some perseverance it’s viable, it’s really a case of you get what you pay for!

The system is two independent parts, the sirens and the gps. They sell it as a feature but in reality, it’s a bodge that these cannot be controlled together.

The system relies on the main device hearing the sirens, or any other loud noise, this creates multiple false alerts. The best idea is cancel the door and vibration sensors and leave the listening sensor active only.

The door sensors are simple £15 units from Amazon, search for bike alarm

The main unit, while ok is seriously let down by the app.

The app (AnyTracking) is designed as a GPS tracker and not an alarm. Settings for disarming are not front and centre, like you would expect from a system designed as an alarm, it requires multiple clicks and around 2 mins work to disable the three sensors… this is a long time while trying to get in.

The app settings don’t display correctly e.g. open the ‘audible alarm’ option and it’s always highlighted as off, even if it’s on, open ‘alarm mode’ and there’s no indication on what’s currently active!!!

The names of the options are clearly not for a vehicle tracker and take some getting used to. e.g. Local Alarm Horn is for the Main unit beeping and shoudl be disabled really for a tracker.

The setup guides and videos miss a lot, I think with more info at this stage many customers would be happier rather than writing the system off.
There are some features that simply shouldn’t be used by default.
A lot could be improved in this area.

I bought a system with one main unit and 3 sirens, pairing the sirens to one remote is...painful... at best, it might be good if they were supplied configured as one system to start. Opening the sirens to remove batteries is god awful too.

The app is currently reporting the system as battery 1% at last checkin and now offline, the battery indicator on the main unit is showing 50%. The system doesnt appear to work while being charged, thus meaning there are period of time where you unit is unprotected. The main unit battery has lasted around 2 weeks.

Would i buy again, unlikly, i'd rather spend more next time and get a better system, it was silly for me to not read reviews first.
I'll likely keep this for a time, I have a lot of costs with a new Motorhome and i'll look to replace this in a year of two.
I could send it back for refunds, but the restocking fee's mean i cba!

The demo videos this scammer makes so good. But he don't no much about what he's talking about theres no sos you have to pull the tab to activate the shed alarm sorry door alarm. Also save your money there 10 pound on ebay and you can buy the body tracker on its own. So two systems brought together and non of them are ment for the purpose. This guys just init to make a quick quid

I have charged my unit for 8 hours,,but after putting it back into van,,it still says battery 35%,,,I am baffled,,,,,,,it looks like I am wrong,,,,after 24 hours it now now shows 100%battery,,,

Firstly this is not a van alarm, the alarm is obviously not designed to be installed in a car or van. It is a self contained alarm built in to a torch that is more of a personal travel alarm. The door sensors are nothing to do with this unit and do not connect to it in any way. They are stand alone alarms that look like shed alarms and the main unit will only send a message if it hears them go off. The main unit has no permanent power supply and has to be periodically charged by usb. The remote controls do not arm and disarm the main unit but work the shed alarms so the main unit will send you messages when you enter unless you turn it off separately via the app. When arming the system you will need to push the button on the main unit as this can not be done from the app and also arm the shed alarms with the remote. To sum up its not a convenient system and I will be looking to replace it as soon as I find a better one.

I bought to have peace of mind for my caravan. I paid £107 with delivery.
I followed the step by step guide on the website.
On the first day I had several false alarms , and by 10 days I had over 30 alarms.
Once returned I was charged nearly £50 in charges, which included another charge for the sim card even though they said to keep it. They charge for using all the devices and £15 plus vat admin fee.
I would never use this company again.

Bought my 3 piece vanolarm on line… end of 2022… can be a little tetchy at times…
But for me.. it’s been good value for the money and still going strong…have it on a £6 a month recurring payment with a phone network provider… so don’t remove sim… Happy Days..

In the last month alone: 31 false alarms, and 0 real alarms. This says enough. It keeps on waking me up at night, distracting my work. I have a camera in the van, every time I get a phone call to say the alarm is triggered I check the camera and audion, and there's no indication of the alarm going off. Such an annoying piece of equipment, and you can't even adjust the sensitivity.

Comms, speed and service all excellent. Product is robust, easy to set up, works brilliantly and in my opinion represents very good value for money.

UPDATE:

Its very obvious you are not reading and understanding my comments fully.

After reading your T&C regarding returns I decided that I could not be bothered returning the product and this is what I said in my review:

I do not intend to waste any of my time and money sending the system back to you to be told that you are deducting this or that amount in order to scam me further.

I REITERATE. AT NO POINT HAVE I ASKED FOR A PARTIAL OR FULL REFUND OR IMPLIED THAT I WOULD LEAVE A NEGATIVE REVIEW IF I DID NOT RECEIVE A REFUND.

You know as well as me that you are selling an inferior product that is NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE.

SCAM SCAM SCAM

I purchase this unit from Vanolarm and instantly realised when delivered how bad the quality was. In fact last year I purchase 2 alarm sensors from Amazon for my electric bikes which were exactly the same as Vanolarm's sensors at a cost of £14 each.

I don't need to go into detail of how shockingly bad this alarm and GPS is because it has already been covered by the previous Trust Pilot reviews.

I emailed Vanolarm to say that I wanted a refund as it was not fit for purpose and was directed by them to there terms and conditions which basically states that they will deduct this and that from the refund as well as myself paying for the return postage.

So, what is this company which is run by a con man named Mike? Pretty obvious really.

My final email reply back to him was this:

Mike

I noticed on your email that you never responded to my comment that the sensor alarm and fobs are cheap Chinese tat than can be purchased from Amazon for £14 each and the tracking from £35.

On your advertising and promotion of this item you declared,

Under the Misrepresentation Act of 1967 you made a statement of fact by stateing that Vanolarm produced and developed this system in the UK. That is an untruthful statement..

In fact, all you have done is place Vanolarm stickers on the Chinese made product and declared that it is your invention, BAD MAN

It is also extremely unreasonable to expect the product to be returned:

Unopened, unused with Seals & labels unbroken and, in the original packaging because, how else is one to know that the system is faulty and not fit for purpose unless it is opened and tested.

I do not intend to waste any of my time and money sending the system back to you to be told that you are deducting this or that amount in order to scam me further. Obviously you need the money more than I do.

It is my opinion, which has also been endorsed by negative comments on Trust Pilot that you are in fact a con man and scammer. It also surprises me that nobody has of yet knocked on your front door for a "quiet word" with you about this scam.

However, I do put some blame on myself because I should of checked out Vanolarm reviews. I did come across a youtube clip where the owner of Vanolarm (Mike) was stating for all to see that, all Trust Pilot reviews of his/Chinese product were "made up"

Well Mike, you know my name so you will also know that this is not a spoof review.

Guys, keep your money in your pocket and avoid this scammer at all costs

I am a great believer that what goes around comes around.

Enjoy my £160

Geoff Jones

The system is not bad except it’s 2 systems cobbled together, key fob and app which is a pain.
Customer service is absolutely pants. Take ages to reply via email and then don’t answer the questions.
No helpline to call. Save your money

OMG you can’t fix stupid as the saying goes. The guy who runs must only have 1 brain cell, he struggles to understand the simplest of emails. The system does not work. It’s not hearing the alarms so I get no notifications. It won’t set a gps fence as when I press the add button it’s not bringing up the map.

Basically it’s a cheap vibration shed alarm available onlinefor £13. Coupled with a really bad tracker that’s also available online. A cobbled together system.
UPDATE

DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.
Their return policy means you have no chance of getting your money back. No wonder they boast only 1.8% I just didn’t bother as if they decide not to refund you have to pay to get it posted back.

So I have tried it out. It continually sends messages saying the door has opened usually in the middle of the night, or it’s gone out of its geo fence when it’s not moved off the drive. If you try to simulate an attempted break in, doesn’t alarm at all. 😡

Very poor quality. Just unlocking the van causes alarm to call you. Means you must turn off on the "cheap" app before disarming or unlocking van.
Only way to top up sim is to remove sim and put into a phone.
Not fit for purpose

Very poor quality product.
I believed the fake reviews ☹️

Didn't even last a month what a waste of money. Remote going off on its own and alarm doing nothing

ABSOLUTELY AWFUL PRODUCT.

1) app is dreadful, it’s a Chinese made unusable piece of rubbish.

2) door contacts are fairly good in terms of the vibration sensitivity but the remote to disarm doesn’t always reach all 5 on my van this means they go off whilst driving or closing a door. THEY ARE LOUD.

3) the gps unit holds its charge for about two days and good luck getting it working again once its charge has gone! Another piece of Chinese crap that doesnt work as it should.
Turning it on is pure chance even when following instructions.

4) the gps unit is what rings your phone when alarm goes off. It does this by detecting noise higher than 90dB - this is useless!!!! It means everytime you leave the van you have to go into the awful Chinese app and arm the gps unit (as well as using the remote to arm the sensors) if you decide to leave the gps unit sound sensor on whilst using the van it will call your phone CONSTANTLY.
I cannot count how many false alarms I have had from the unit - one evening I had 4 at 3am, checked cctv and no one or thing was near or around the van at any point.

Seriously save your money, the customer service is average at best and they only reply for set up help after that they’re quiet as a mouse.
They very clearly know that this product is not up to scratch and I can only presume they’ll keep going till they’ve sold all their units and then shut the business down (jugging from these reviews)

I wish I had checked trust pilot before purchasing.

DO NOT BUY.

I have had Vanolarm fitted on my VW Campervan for about two months now. I installed the devices as per the clear easy to follow instructions. Last night at 04.50hrs on 19/01/24
my Vanolarm linked phone rang from my van and woke me to inform me someone was trying the door handles.I looked out of the bedroom window could see a silhouetted suspicious character messing with cars outside near to my van. By the time I got out with my 'walking stick' and torch the person had made off, luckily for him as I'm very useful with a walking stick at 5 paces. This incident has proved the value of Vanolarm. It's certainly paid for itself on this one incident alone.
I've read the adverse reports and video slagging the system off. To those people I say this. Install it properly and it works well. Rush it and it won't. I've also recommended Vanolarm to my neighbour.
It works very well for me.!