Invisible Fence reviews and complaints
Fencing
The fences are 10gig and cause definite issues with electromagnetic fields. We did sign a waiver but have had them recently try to correct the issues as the radio frequency is causing disturbances in our home and physical issues. Headaches, agitation in the dogs behaviors some nausea. They wrapped our home in the line and we recently asked for it to be...
Read full complaintProduct has failed to work
I purchased the Invisible Fence System in February of 2011. After 30 days I could have received a full refund if the system failed to contain my dogs, the system failed. I was given another 30 days to see if the system would work. I took it instead of a full refund. They said they woudl come out everyday to work with my dogs and never did. They don't have enough employees to do this. It has been 12 months and the system fails to contain my dogs. They say more training is needed with the dogs. They don't offer any weekend hours and they don't show up on time. I am want a full refund of $2400.00. Their system has failed to work for a year now, they should stand behind their product.
Company Business Name: Invisible Fence
Country of complaint: United States
Address: 11175 Ridgefield Parkway, Richmond, Virginia
Phone: 804-672-7387
Website: invisiblefence.com
Collar batteries
I have had an Invisble Fence system since 2009, and it has worked very well at containing my dog, who is a coonhound mix (hounds are notorius for wandering).
But at the beginning of this month (December 2011), my dog escaped the electronic barrier and was hit by the passing local school bus; I did not see this happen, and only found out after the fact because the school's bus route supervisor and another school official came to my house to tell me (the bus driver was very upset, but by law she could not stop or get out of the bus full of kids, so she alerted her supervisor). I was mystified at how this could happen, since my dog never goes through the barrier, but when I mentioned it to my husband he said that in fact the dog had gone through the barrier, in exactly the same spot, the day before.
I checked the dog's collar and discovered that the battery was dead. I then consulted my Invisble Fence (IF) battery replacement plan and discovered that IF was *3 weeks overdue* in sending me a new battery.
Luckliy, the dog was OK (only some minor bruising), but I had to drop everything that morning and rush to the vet's office to be sure. We were lucky on many levels — there was no indication of her being in shock, no internal bleeding, and nothing broken/no need for X-rays, so I got off with a vet bill of only $49.
I called my local (regional) IF dealer and asked why I hadn't received a battery on time. "Oh, we're a bit behind on our battery plans," a young, bored-sounding woman said, rather matter-of-factly. I then informed her that because they were "behind" my dog had just been hit by a school bus. Her response, "Oh, that's too bad — I hope she's OK." This was said in the most bored, least convincing matter, as if the young woman really didn't give a crap, this was just a job for her. Never did she say anything to the effect that IF was sorry, nor did she admit any negligence on the part of the company.
I looked over my original IF contract and discovered that the so-called *warranty* has disclaimer after disclaimer written into it: Invisible Fence assumes no responsibility, grants no warranty for anything, *including the batteries*, so I had no recourse as far as trying to sue. However, I am looking into a possible breach of contract, since IF did not provide the battery according to the agreed-upon plan.
I am writing the regional office, as well as the CEO of the parent company PetSafe/Radio Systems, to explain my horror at this incident and my digust with their inability to honor their battery replacement plan in a timely manner. I would hope at very least to get a few batteries free in light of my $49 vet bill, but we will see. I'll post an update here if I hear back from Invisible Fence, but in the mantime I can safely say I would NOT recommend this company if you're in the market for a pet containment system.
Company Business Name: PetSafe/Radio Systems
Country of complaint: United States
Address: New York
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Has anyone had a problem with the batteries doing dead in a month? This has happened to me two times. So I started keeping package and putting date on it when I inserted it. Last on inserted 2/13/14...new 3/10/14. I called IF to find out what the expiration date is for these batteries on package. Was told if I bring it in 45 minutes away or pay tech $65 to come here they can check. WHAT! I pay $200 plus for a years plan of batteries. Does anyone know what this means on package PB10135013499? Was this a year old battery? Did I receive an old out dated battery to begin with? Have searched for date of manufactured on web and can not tell. Thanks
OK, I am the original poster, and I have to take a bit of offense at the "electric nanny" comment, also. Invisible Fence was a last option for me after spending years and a lot of training with this dog. I had lived elsewhere for two years after getting her and there she rarely left the yard, and when she did it was to go into the neighbor's yard to play with her dog (her dog often did the same; it was a quiet understanding we had). Containing my dog had never been a problem there, but when we moved to this far more rural area with wild animals, livestock, and miles to run in every direction my dog wanted to wander. Anyone who has ever had a coonhound or other hound knows how wandering they can be; no matter how much training they have it can't always be taught out of them. Sometimes an IF is the only option.
All of that said, I just had a very reassuring phone conversation with my regional IF rep, who has agreed to more than mere restitution for my vet bill in the form of free collar batteries. He was very caring and reassuring regarding the dog's accident and the effectiveness of the fence overall. (And it should be said that I have NEVER, otherwise, had a problem with the fence malfunctioning or the dog escaping it; these things DO work.) It was a case of a battery plan glitch that has, to my mind, been very effectively dealt with and I am a happy IF customer once again.
Thanks cchuckles. I appreciate the comment.
Thanks Ramelle. I was just making a statement for everyone, about being civil on here This includes OP, who iniated the discussion. Happy holidays to all!
Exercise77 - The best thing to do is ignore comments that offend you. Just saying.
Merry Christmas.
WGAS, I never asked what others thought of or should I use an IF, etc. The fact that you have issues with those who choose to use an IF, is just that: your issue--neither wrong or right. Everyone has two cents of advice but we are all adults and can be civil on this site, public or not. Your advice would be welcomed by someone who sincerely asks for it, but I didn't. I made a statement about my experience of looking into the IF. Preaching not needed.
Thanks Toads Tool. I live on a busy culdesac--my large enclosed backyard is plenty of room for them. IFs are a novel idea but just not failproof, like a lot of things in life. Thanks.
I take offense in WGAS's comment. I am content with my enclosed backyard and was only looking at another option. WGAS's comment about me taking personal responsibilty was unsolicited and rude. Let's try to keep unsolicited advice outside of this forum, where providing useful information from experience, could be more helpful and appropriate.
I have been contemplating getting an IF for my two dogs--German shepard and beagle. We have a large, enclosed back yard and I think I'll save myself some stress and money, from getting an IF. I live on a busy culdesac and would hate to come home (I work 45 min from home) to find two injured (if not worse) dogs. I have heard of dogs going through the IF but this explains it all.
Thanks for posting this information.
Scam and fraud!
Had a break in my fence yesterday. Invisible fence came out, told me I had multiple breaks, my wire was no good & I had to replace it at $.40 per foot. (I have 7 acres). I was So Mad; I called the local Dog Guard Dealer and he came out and had it repaired in no time... I saved over $3, 000 dollars! to boot, they lied to me about the multiple breaks & then fried my electrical outletin the garage... Wonder how long it will be before they come out to repair that...
These Guys are a RIP OFF!
Company Business Name: Invisible Fence
Country of complaint: United States
Address: 304 State Route 10, Randolph, New Jersey
Website: invisiblefence.com
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
They promise you the world until they get your money then no service what so ever they are horrible ! I had call after call to get the free training with the fence and got no where with them ! I was told the will repair anything free of charge but that is not true either . There are better systems out there for far less money and you dont have to deal with people who will cheat you out of your hard earned money !
The original anonymous post on this thread was first posted (word for word) on /link removed/ in 2007. It wasn't true then, and not true in 2016 either. Think about the "hero" of that story and you will find the source of the fake post. Also, check the other reviews posted by Valerie, obviously a paid fake complaint service.
They have terrible customer service techs... I ordered a brand new collar. The tech handed it to me WITHOUT putting the SAFETY guards on... Long story short, I got a very nice shock... My sarcastic comment to him was, "Well, I guess we know it works!" He seemed to think it was hilarious. Me, ...not so funny...
The REAL problem with Invisible Fence, and any other non-physical fence is that it is NOT really a fence!
"Invisible" fences do not keep all dogs contained. Large, runners get passed the area of effectiveness before they respond to the "correction". My neighbor has an aggressive German Shepard who blows through his Invisible Fence on a regular basis... with frequent complaints and visits from the Sherrif.
Invisible fences also do NOTHING to keep unwanted dogs out of your yard and away from your pets. They also do NOTHING to prevent the neighbor's toddler from wandering into your yard to "play with the cute doggie" and yes, in most cases you WILL be held to be liable if that happens and your dog bites the child... it's kinda like installing a swimming pool but not putting a fence around it.
Bottom line... they shouldn't be able to use the word "fence" in the product name or description because it isn't one.
First off, I know invisible fence products left and right because I use to install them for five years. I no longer do it, and have zero invested in the business since going into business for myself. Randolph, your claim that invisible fence broke your wire, well did the system work when they installed it? I would think so, or you wouldn't have be able to train your dog in the first place. Also your transmitter would have been beeping like crazy the whole time.
The fact that your claim of a fried electrical outlet, plus the multiple breaks tells me that you probably had a severe lightning hit to your system.
These things are not common, but it is possible. And can just as easily happen to any buried wire, cable, telephone, etc. But here is something to check out. If your outlet was not grounded correctly at the time of your install, then it will be the fault of invisible fence. all systems are required to be properly grounded. I have fixed several systems that had lightning hits. probably 95% percent of all lightning hit systems, the only thing that goes bad is the transmitter, which is covered under a lifetime warranty. the other 5% percent is usually a simple and easily repaired break, but there are those cases where every inch of the wire is fired from lightning. After installing hundreds of systems and servicing hundreds more, I probably ran into this issue maybe 3 times in 5 years. In other words, it's a pretty rare occurrence.
These are the worst cases a technician wants to handle, because they don't want to replace your wire no more then you do. Plus the several hours spent trying to fix the wire, to realize it's not worth fixing, and needs to be replace.
One other thing, don't expect Dog Guard to be any different. In fact the biggest reason why most customers go with invisible fence compared to dog guard or the other guys, is the superior customer service. I've heard real cases where hidden fence and dog guard will
never be back if something goes wrong with your system.
Also here's some advice if you ever want to fix your own wire. newer systems this probably wont work since they are fully digital, but the older ones, and maybe dog guards system is this way too, may run on an AM signal. if it does, you can take a small transistor radio and actually dial in the signal while holding the radio next to your transmiter. it would more then likely be low on the dial. the signal would make a pulsating tone. Once you have the signal, attach the radio to the end of a handle (like a shovel or broom handle) and follow the signal of the on the wire outside your house and follow it along through out your yard. When the signal dies out, that will be where your fence is broken. If you can find the signal from the other end of the wire and dig it up, all you need to do is splice the wire and your system is fixed.
Just one other thing, use wire nuts you can find at the hardware store for outdoor use only. these have a silicone waterproof seal so your wire doesn't go bad from moisture. remember the fence wire is copper, it can corrode. hope this helps.
Jeff
MURDERED
DUKE ELLINGTON COLLINS
3/17/2009 to 2/24/2009
Our baby boy, Duke, our family pet was shot with a shotgun and left to suffer along the railroad tracks about a ½ mile west of 600 W in New Palestine. We had to end his suffering ourselves. If you have any information related to this tragic event, please contact Wayne at the Humane Society at 477-4367 or Hancock County Deputy Christie McFarland at 477-1144…CAD# [protected].
DO NOT invest in the Invisible Fence
DO NOT rely on a collar/cable leash to contain your loved one. We do not want anybody to have to experience this devastating tragedy as we have been forced to. We love you Duke! And you will always be missed…Run the RR tracks in heaven freely!
had a system installed by Invisable Fence and they put the underground wire three feet in FRONT of my gate. Do not sign their "satisfaction" form until you walk every inch of the installation and get the proper training for you pet. once you sign the form they refer back to it and use it against you. NO SUPPORT AT ALL FOR THEIR SCREWUP!