Smart Start
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Smart Start Overview
The aggregated data is based on reviews and questionnaires provided by PissedConsumer.com users.
Smart Start has 1.5 star rating based on 155 customer reviews. Consumers are mostly dissatisfied.
- Rating Distribution
Pros: Its good when it works, When it works it works good, Easy to use.
Cons: Malfunctions, Bad equipment extra fees wait time on phone customer service, Faulty equipment and poor customer service.Recent recommendations regarding this business are as follows: "Great saw", "RUN and LOOK ELSE WHERE", "Go to Smart Start !", "Don’t you SmartStart they have the attitude that since we have gotten in trouble with the DMV that we have to figure it out ourselves or pay the price for what transpires", "Don’t drink and drive stay away from smart start money scam".
The aggregated data is based on reviews and questionnaires provided by PissedConsumer.com users.
Smart Start has 1.5 star rating based on 155 customer reviews. Consumers are mostly dissatisfied.
- Rating Distribution
Pros: Its good when it works, When it works it works good, Easy to use.
Cons: Malfunctions, Bad equipment extra fees wait time on phone customer service, Faulty equipment and poor customer service.Recent recommendations regarding this business are as follows: "Great saw", "RUN and LOOK ELSE WHERE", "Go to Smart Start !", "Don’t you SmartStart they have the attitude that since we have gotten in trouble with the DMV that we have to figure it out ourselves or pay the price for what transpires", "Don’t drink and drive stay away from smart start money scam".
Most users ask Smart Start for the refund as a solution to their issues.
Consumers are not pleased with Exchange, Refund and Cancellation Policy and Turnaround Time. The price level of this organization is high according to consumer reviews.
Media from reviews
Top Smart Start Reviews
"Just had device placed on car this week , excellent from start to finish !"
After dealing with Intoxalock ( which was a night mare) Smart Start was excellent from start to finish ! Equipment was installed in less than 2 hrs , the...
"Corrupt company"
Smart start is a horrible greedy corrupt company. They will rip you off every chance they get. They lie to you and give you false info and don't give you any...
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
Cause when I talk to credit and collections about a false positive test it go very sour
unresolved, like I said before smart-start does not apologize for any reason or thing they have made it worse if you complain about their services. and bring attention to their services and fees.
in some parts even retaliate. ( THEY CALL RULES ) which they continue to...
Preferred solution: Something I know will not happen an apology and smartstart get it right not just for me but for their souls NC Department of Motor vehicle too but it really doesn't matter because what is in the Dark shall come to the light
User's recommendation: Make sure you record and monitor everything becuse most of smartstart staff will try and make you sound like you are falsely participants in using the interlock device make a note and. Call immediately of problems because you know later NC Department of motor vehicle is going to harrese you next and will attempt to take away your driver's license without a fair hearing or fair investigation Most smartstart staff are the same some very few are polite and professional some like the collection office come off very confusing and very difficult so you have to look after you only another is request for all notes and date because record because really you shouldn't have to be mistreated from either smartstart or NC DMV when you had only a 2 minute breathe analysis and you past clearly and breathe and participant with the machine as directed you shouldn't be threatened to lose your license, when you are doing all you can to do what is right. These people have no concern that you are trying to live a good right relationship they what to hold us into a pass and fuel off our money ,lively hoof see our family hurt and break us down to struggle unhealthy to be honest paying every month and then to add a extra 75 dollars fine fee then if you have to have. Your vehicle machinery service and have to pay a fee for the down time then they added if the mechanic makes a mistake and forgot about machine more fine fees out of your pocket then after smartstart done raped your wallet the so called great and powerful NCDMV of North Carolina is going to come and finish brutal run a train on you and rape you and say according to THE LAW but it is really called the policy under the corporations of the American saying you have no rights which is against the law. But they been doing this for so long smartstart and NCDMV work together hand and hand why you request a DMV hearing and have to pay 450.00 dollars?and this to defend from taking driving license that you need you have completely committed to say I am a safe person and 14 year sobriety person I have a family and work and have been working to help build a better community. All my bad choices are behind but still NCDMV their law say none forgiveness and you and all else struggle. The new Jim Crow laws for North Carolina but whats sick is it applies to those of low class people in ALL ETHNICITY
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 |
Gregg, Pennsylvania
Corrupt company
- Lie to you and rip you off
Preferred solution: Full refund
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
HORRIBLE!!!
DO NOT GET SMARTSTART INSTALLED IN YOUR VEHICLE!!! I have now been without my vehicle now for a month and a half!
They are trying to charge me almost $700 in fees that I should not be responsible for. I was charged 3 system leases in 1 month and 2 system leases in another. Thats $333 in leases that I do not owe. On top of that I am being charged lock out and missed appointment fees for appointments that I dropped my car off to the service center the night before my scheduled appointment.
The reason I started dropping my vehicle off was because of the minimum 1 hour recalibration wait times. Sometimes exceeding 2 hours! The service center told me that Smartstart could contact them to get these fees removed but Smartstart refuses to contact them and repeatedly tell me I was late to my appointments. I have been pretty much called a liar by rude customer service individuals multiple times.
I feel I am being extorted by this company as I can not get my vehicle back to have an Intoxilock unit installed until I pay these fraudulent charges to get their unit removed from my vehicle. On top of this I have spent many hours on the phone with the DMV, courts, DIU, DDP, and the county clerk's office just for permission to leave Smartstart for Intoxilock. I dont even have Intoxilock in my vehicle yet and my experience with them has been absolutely wonderful compared to the complete garbage service that I have received from Smart start. DO NOT CHOOSE SMARTSTART unless you hate your money, your time, having a vehicle, like being called a liar, like being extorted, and most of all treated like *** I will send you a photo of my billing history to back this up which I also sent to Smartstart.
They did not give a *** THIS COMPANY IS HORRIBLE ALL THE WAY AROUND. DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID!
Preferred solution: Compensation for lost time transportation cost
User's recommendation: DO NOT HAVE INSTALLED IN YOUR VEHICLE!!!
This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ
Verified Buyer |
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Trying to get a copy of interlock agreement
User's recommendation: A different company
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
Do NOT go to this company.
Wish I could leave ZERO stars. No wonder we cant leave Google reviews for the company.
These guys are con artists.
They make it VERY DIFFICULT to reach a live representative, and if you do, trust, they CANT help. Their janky devices will throw faulty codes that are NOT your fault and you still have to pay... then dispute and wait WEEKS to get reimbursed... oh wait...I mean you HAVE TO go through the BBB to even get anything resolved.
Not joking.
My last month with them I was charged a full month of service even though I had the janky device removed during the 72 hour grace period... they unlawfully took my money and I have to wait 6-8 weeks for the refund.
DO NOT GO TO THIS COMPANY!
DO NOT! LOOK ELSE WHERE!
- Hate their job
- And if you do
- You pay fees and wait weeks if not at fault
Preferred solution: Full refund
User's recommendation: RUN and LOOK ELSE WHERE
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Order parts
User's recommendation: Great saw
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 |
Brockton, Massachusetts
To stop random test while driving
Naperville, Illinois
Just had device placed on car this week , excellent from start to finish !
User's recommendation: Go to Smart Start !
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 |
Nashville, Tennessee
Fraud company
Let me put it this way.
I had a DUI over 2 years ago and this was my first crime ever. I had an interlock device installed due to a court order.
I had several experiences with my device failing and not allowing e to drive. when I cant drive I cant go t work when I cant work I cant provide an income for my family or invest anymore money into the shareholders of your organization.
The state of TN has cleared me of all charges, I have an official stamped letter from the homeland of security sating that I am no longer required to have the device. I have now gone through three different facilities in Nashville that two of which are no longer partnered with this company.
I have gone through emails, USPS, Certified mail and hand delivery, I am threatened with a $2,000 fine if I remove it. So now I am tasked with having to sell my care to stop paying the monthly fee or recalibrating.
I only pay the same amount on my car not as I do to this company every month.
I am not a practicing attorney in TN but I will Through out my Personal number it is 615-498-**** one mayor and one state legislator that will help out if we can all come together and make our voice be heard.
It takes a certain number of people to file a civil action lawsuit but I am on board. In TN I have three attorneys, one mayor and one state legislator that will help out if we can all come together and make our voice be heard.
- I was able educate others on using fraudulent companies
- Locks up with no explanation i
- Kills batteries
- Gets crazy codes
Preferred solution: Apology
Aurora, Colorado
Needed to talk to live representative, no success once again.
I needed to talk to a live representative regarding I had been in an accident. I was in the hospital for two weeks rehab for four weeks after I was released and arrived home. I had two days to get my calibration taken care of and no one to help get my car down there or drive me down there never did get a response from SmartStart, also I was trying to talk to someone regarding I will not be able to drive for several months due to my injuries and was wondering if something could be done about the calibrations I still have yet to hear from somebody they keep giving me a number to A representative named Cindy but Ive yet to hear a response from SmartStart or anybody that can give me a number to talk to a live person telling them Im not gonna be driving for several months and if something could be done about the expense of calibrations no response is not unusual from SmartStart
User's recommendation: Don’t you SmartStart they have the attitude that since we have gotten in trouble with the DMV that we have to figure it out ourselves or pay the price for what transpires
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 |
Brockton, Massachusetts
They need to stop random test while driving before people start getting killed no joke been sober for over 20 years to get my lisence back they told me I had to install a machine three smart start wha
Been sober for 20years was forced into this by rmv my case goes back to 2003 breathilizer didn’t start till 2005 this is called ex post facto shame on every one involved with passing this law
User's recommendation: Take Uber no joke
Brockton, Massachusetts
They need to stop doing random test while driving not to smart
User's recommendation: Don’t drink and drive stay away from smart start money scam
Resolved: October orders not received
Preferred solution: Deliver product or service ordered
Denver, Colorado
Removal request
Reseda, California
Can't get in touch with customer service a part doesn't work
Omaha, Nebraska
Locked out violation
My hand held device says i missed a rolling test even though i know i did the initial one to start the vehicle and the one it has me do 5 min later. Never heard another beep for a test but it showed i missed it.
Contacted the installer and he said it showed i missed one. Tried calling Smart Start but its impossible to talk to an actual live person. Charged be and additional $80 to reset even though i just calibrated it last week. Smart Start is taking advantage of a person and the situation.
The fact i cant even talk to a real person sucks. They know they have you and you cant do anything about it even though i know for a fact i didn't miss a test.
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 |
Sikeston, Missouri
No return of saw and case
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I am going to say the machine is an error ( FALSE POSITIVE ) for the poor person that "keeps crying you are not telling it right " that has been on the short yellow bus. the light will not flash on top of their head the machine has flaws, and the machine has errors, I do not drink at all I have witnesses , and can testify to seeing this device's errors. the person trying so hard to justify that the device dont make false readings right now are very worried and more likely the lawyers in their state are trying to fight against them now.
You have to be one of those arrogant shop installation people who have to defend the device and more likely have nothing else you are capable of doing with yourself, you fail at computer programing and failed as a family person but I will not go there with you because one you fail to understand the machine had to be switched out twice by an installation shop person and again the dame system smart-start had me under did not have an account. next don't come to me about drinking I have over (13) years of sobriety on me and still holding strong, while you were still on Similac, and are on your own mother's processed sour milk. Second, the shop's installation should be held accountable for the wrong installations, and be retrained and trained in knowing how to talk to clients.
The shops do make wrong installations. If it is coming on after the key is out of the ignition or if it's asking for a sample when you're done driving.
It is because of installation. The two minute mark is after you've already turned your car off. They give you 2 minutes to turn your car back on. When you start your car they give you 5 minutes.
Rolling test are 5 minutes. You are wrong and there is something that you're doing wrong. You hum and the blowing takes care of itself. You don't have to blow and hum at the same time.
Focus on the humming and the blowing does it by itself. That's all you have to do. It takes 5 seconds longer.
Then hold your breath longer. And blow by humming only at the same time and you'll get it.
whoever trying to instruct how to hum and use the device is dead wrong I used it and the machine froze up and had a recall flash up.
There is no such thing as false positives. If people knew about the BAC calculator on Google they would understand How long It takes Alcohol to get of there system. One shot a liquor takes 4 hours and nobody *** thinks about that.
If you Humm, the blowing takes care of itself. Non alcoholic mouthwash, No donuts or really high yeast breads,.
No energy drinks Until the very 1st rolling test, and then you have 20 minutes and rinse in between with water This is what they tell Everyone. BAC calculator on Google will tell you that Every drink depending on What it is, For instant A shot a liquor takes 4 hours each, So 4 shots take 12 hours. There are so many people that do not understand how long it takes for alcohol to get out of your system. I have had smart start For 3 months and I'm getting in out next week.
Before that I had LCI Low cost in Interlock. For 12 months before that And I took them to court twice..... And each time it's not for a pot false positive. I have never had a false positive with either or at 13 months.
Because you don't When's your Melt out With alcohol based mouthwash. I wait while driving for the 1st rolling test Which is 10 minutes after, And then I can Eat whatever I want For a good 25 minutes. Always wrench your mouth out with water keep bottles of water in your car. There is so many foods out there that I ate that did not Make it a false positive.
If your positives are coming up as soon as you start the car? Then you did not check a Bac level on the calculator. 0.02 and lower. If it is coming on when the key is not an Ignition it is 100% the installs fault they cross wired.
I've had a beep as soon as I turn the car off and that is just a coincidence and you still have to blow. Always wait Until you see the countdown for 2 minutes After shutting off the car and then you can walk away. It is 100% always the insulation process that makes it go bad. Because it cross wiring and whatever they hook it up Too with your harness.
Always be aware and not just jump out of your car. And record it all! I speak out of experience With another company not smart start. They Are the best when you have a good installer.
Smart start has nothing to do with the installation people. It is your state Highway and patrol. Smart start and any of the other companies do not have everything up-to-date.
Always Look up the company on Google and the installers and called them yourselves. Always.
Not pot lol. For alcohol! No such thing as a false positive!
You are not saying the whole truth. Malfunctions do not include false positives.
End of story. You cannot drink the night before and think you're going to be sober and 6 to 8 hours. You can get a reimbursement but never on a false positive because there is no such thing. All other malfunctions are real.
But not a false positive. This is not telling the whole truth. Every single fee has been because of three things. Not calibrating, not doing appointments, or not paying monthly fee, there is no other monthly fee besides the shops.
The shops are not the interlock company. Hold the shops accountable hold your state accountable it has nothing to do with the interlock company.
SHUT YOUR WHOLE! nobody asked you or told you to get on here and be autocorrected, and are u from another state?
WOW ?? are you the Smartstart police Okay we will use false readings.
it is an error. device fails , MALFUNCTION you are an error