Reviews
This profile includes reviews for Smart Start's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Review Ratings
Average of 109 Customer Reviews
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Review fromJimmy C
Date: 10/12/2023
1 starTwice now I have had a $50 fee added to my monthly bill. I have made 5 attempts to find out why with no luck they know they have you over a barrel and make no attempt to assist.Review fromTanya F.
Date: 10/07/2023
1 starHad to change in lock device companies a few months back due to ******************* regulations. I wish I had research this company better before installing a new Smart interlock device. I have had nothing but issues with this company. First of all it is the most difficult device to utilize and there is no volume button so I can put it to the maximum volume so I can hear it. I cant even listen to my radio in my car because I cannot hear the beep to blow which is caused me a dispute now with the registry of motor vehicles. Each time I blow I receive multiple errors with this company my other company I used to use. I had no issues Blowing into the device nor volume issues with the other company. I wish I never had to change, but I was forced to because ******* was no longer going to Service *************. I just received a letter from the *** saying I am going to have a suspended license for two missed rolling tests on two different dates.One of them I dont recall at all and I know The volume on my device you can hardly hear when its time to blow the second one I had been rushed to the hospital and the car had to be driven back to a safe spot so the person driving it who was authorized said they tried everything but its still showed Miss rolling tests. The bottom line with this company is they never showed me a video or how to utilize the device they just installed it and said have a great one. Well see you next month. I am disputing this whole situation with the *** so I dont have repercussions on my license which I need, I am also going to look to switch this device to a new company because within the two months Ive had it its been a horror show and nothing but problems that I dont need in my life. I am sober. I do not drive my vehicle, intoxicated or with any alcohol because I dont drink. I would not recommend this company to anybody including the vendor that they had me go to to install it and get my monthly calibrations. Both cos are terrible. ***** FReview fromJerome L
Date: 09/22/2023
1 starI am at a loss how this company is allowed to administer such a vital part of DWI probation process. It seemed to work with fail until now the 4 th month. Within the last week it read violation when there was none. I quickly let probation officer know what the issue was. I took it into shop and guy looks at it and gives no explanation just replaces handset. I said fine and thought problem was fixed. It stayed in prolonged initializing phase which again I thought maybe learning process. Then it completely fails to allow me to even blow on a cold start no more than 20 minutes old. It finally started but then started blinking and going out on the way home. I also noticed that the truck would not shift into high gear. I placed blinkers on for safety got off on service road for fear of complete failure on busy highway. It made it home. Talked to rep who offered **** response. Truck sat overnight. I took it back to shop where the manager looked at me like I could care less and said its not the device after doing an interrogation. I told him I would not pay a violation fee as it was clear by video that I had recorded that the device was malfunctioning horribly. Despite this I got an email for ********************************************************************* I had enough with ********** location then proceeded to the *********** location. This guy although not the most courteous at least tried by replacing the wire to headset. Despite this found myself stranded once more at gas station.Fortunately I was on an elevation and able to roll truck out of the position of gas pump. It eventually said blow after going through a bunch machinations. Sweating like h*** in the Texas heat waiting for it to allow me to start truck. I made it back over to *********** following day and had the control module exchanged. Test fired a couple of times on warm starts and it seemed to be ok. Panic set in once again after going back to office and same scenario.Review fromCarrie H
Date: 09/19/2023
1 starSmart start company charged me a missed calibration fee of $35. My service was not due till 9.25.2023. My payment was not due till 9.21.2023. My vehicle was serviced 9.19.2023. 2 well before the service date indicated on the portal as well as the device in car! I want this fee reimbursed. Your company was also to reimburse for the installation fee. Of $150 as this should have never been charged due to being a corporate office! This fee has never been reimbursed. Neither have been responsive dedicated to nor reimbursed!Review fromAlisha S
Date: 09/07/2023
1 starAlisha S
Date: 09/07/2023
My experience with smartStart has been traumatizing. The install device continuously gives service errors and lockouts due to device errors. I have auto pay set up, and the company continuously does not take the money out of my account so that they can charge me a service lockout fee. Each time I call to speak with a supervisor. I am passed from **** to **** with no resolution. The local, smart start representative has been amazing to work with. My dissatisfaction with this company is so severe that the next step Im going to take is opening up a civil case.
Smart Start
Date: 09/08/2023
Hello, the data log indicates that there was a loose connection between the handset and the relay unit which resulted in the device losing power. A note in the account from August 28th states the unit was swapped, there are no notes since then indicating any reported device issues. The lockout fee of $75 (plus tax) charged on August 28th will be credited to ****************** Smart Start account resulting in her account having a $0.00 balance. Regarding the service lockout fee, this is based on the unit being serviced in a timely manner as required by the state, this is not a payment / non-payment issue. If ************** needs additional assistance please contact me directly at ************************************Review fromJOSHUA M
Date: 09/01/2023
1 star******* company only in it for the money. You cant get a human on the phone to save your life. The entire process has been horrible. First they tell you its going to be a certain amount auto drafted each month. Then they schedule your apppointmenr before said auto draft and since you are paying in person that charge you more and dont auto draft. Then today for example I scheduled my appointment only to show up at the Irving ******** to a line of 15 literal cars and waited an hour and a half and was late for work because of it and if I lose this job I will be hiring an attorney because getting a job with a dui is hard enough. Also the installers are horrible, my car hasnt worked properly since, my Apple CarPlay no longer works. The device itself is c*** It makes you breathe faster than any human could become intoxicated and half the time I blow til Im blue in the face and it doesnt register and says blow longer. I could literally go on with problems all day but if you listen to any of this please please please dont ever use this companyReview fromDavid A
Date: 08/31/2023
1 starThere is no safety measure.If something happens to you and your car keep running for some period of time, they will charge you for violation. Instead of the device to text or call to find out why, they will charge you for violation.Review fromShane F
Date: 08/19/2023
1 starShane F
Date: 08/19/2023
If I could give them zero Stars I absolutely would this month alone they've taken over $500 from me just in one month it should be criminal what they're doing to people and I absolutely cannot believe that places like this exist and are legal but they know they have us by the ***** because it's the only way we can drive my DUI is over 12 years old and I'm still being treated like a ***** I highly advise not ever using this company if you value your money. Also I went to dispute a violation for missing a blow and because I don't remember the exact date I'm s*** out of luck like come on Smart Lock you guys know what the date was I don't drink I don't smoke weed I don't do anything I just work and I absolutely do not appreciate being treated the way your company is treating meSmart Start
Date: 08/21/2023
Smart Start has contacted this customer to address his concerns. He was provided the contact information (direct phone and email address) for *********************, Director of Field Quality Control.Review fromKevin S
Date: 08/13/2023
1 starI had a 4 month program assigned to me to get my license back in ****************. I got my interlock installed on 4/10/2023. I got the calibration done on 5/5/2023. I got a calibration done on 6/15/2023, which I payed for a 2 month service that should have taken me all the way to 8/15/2023. My last required day according to the *** would have been 8/8/2023, but instead of honoring the 2 month service, they put a lock out date for 7/22/2023, whoch was only a 1 month service. I don't drive for work. I never use the truck the device is in to even go shopping. I just ride in my room mate's vehicles when they go. So I didn't know it was locked out until I received a violation letter from the ***. When I called smart start, they told me I had to go back down to the shop that did the service. When I went to the shop, they said they did indeed mess up, and put a note in my profile. Then I filed an inquiry with smart start. But I still haven't heard from them, and every time I try to call, after a 90 minute wait and a call back, they hang up on me.If this violation mix up that they caused because of clerical errors on their behalf do not get fixed, it could cause me to need to have the interlock installed for ANOTHER 4 months, on top of other legal ramifications. This is absolutely unethical, and I did everything I was supposed to do to get my full license reinstated in ****************. I just want them to make it right, and inform the *** that it was their mistake, and not an actual violation on my behalf, so I can get my license back. I have copies of the receipts. I even have copies of the notes that the shop who installed and calibrated the device put in my smart start profile. I put a note in my profile with smart start describing what happened. I sent in an inquiry. I need this resolved ASAP. I don't even care that they charged me for another month just to get it unlocked, when I should have been able to get it removed. I just want my license back.Review fromPatricia R
Date: 07/25/2023
1 starPatricia R
Date: 07/25/2023
They owe me my deposit refund and for a full month that had me pay even though I told them I didnt need the full month which I was locked out every time and had to Lyft every time it was up to have it fixed 280$$$ they owe me and I had emailed someone and they actually blocked me! Wth is wrong with this business note do they have Corporate information and the 800 number just makes you leave a voicemail they literally steal money from peopleSmart Start
Date: 07/28/2023
Hello, the refund of the deposit was submitted to our accounting department. Smart Starts lease agreement is a month-to-month term, we do not prorate the monthly charge.
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