Sick that we trusted Arlo's words

[Sicktomystomach]

We are absolutely sick that we trust Arlo for our security camera needs, now that we know what this company is really all about.

Prior to purchasing Arlo Video the Doorbell Wire-Free, we read much of the Arlo website. We attempted to make sure our needs would be met. This page https://kb.arlo.com/000062218/Why-is-Detects-Audio-or-Audio-is-Detected-grayed-out-on-my-Arlo-accoun... (updated 6.2, after we complained) indicated by CO detection and sound detection applied to AVD2011 (wire-free doorbell). This page https://kb.arlo.com/1012167/How-do-I-enable-or-disable-motion-or-sound-detection-on-my-Arlo-device still says that sound detection applies to AVD2001.

Direct Storage Access. Must buy a base station. Got it. Must buy a USB device. Got it. Nowhere in the article does it say you have to DOWNLOAD the videos to your phone or tablet to view them. What a waste of valuable time, when trying to view videos on the fly. https://kb.arlo.com/000062337/What-is-Direct-Storage-Access-and-how-do-I-use-it-for-Arlo-video-recor...

And now we've spent an ENTIRE DAY trying to figure out why port forwarding wasn't working, when we knew full well it was set up correctly, only to realize what Arlo doesn't want you to know when you make the investment for "local storage": Only the base station is able to utilize the open port. You, as a user, are not permitted access. So if you think you're going to get any access to the videos YOU OWN from your devices from your computer or via your smart hub, think again.

You have to use the app and DOWNLOAD your INDIVIDUAL videos to view them or CONNECT THE USB DEVICE TO YOUR PC OR MAC. The language is written such that if you DON'T use a VPN or port forwarding, you have to connect the USB device to your computer (it does not also say if you DO use port forwarding you also won't get access); nice slight of hand there, Arlo. What a joke you are.

Key components, such as manual recording – REQUIRED because the damned thing doesn't detect half the motion right in front of it – is disabled in favor of Arlo's subscription-based business model. Both the app and web-based interfaces could've been better designed by 12-year-olds. Your support people have no idea what your products are capable of or how to make them work.

Honestly, you're exhausting, Arlo, and we wish we'd have invested in another brand. We *paid for* these devices, and we should have full access to them and they should work as advertised.

Your KB and sales pitches will call it being clever marketing nuance – no, Arlo. They're lies. Bait and switch. You have such a hard on for getting us to subscribe to your childish interface that never again will we purchase a Netgear or Arlo product, nor will I recommend them to the people who come to us for tech support. Waste of time, effort, and money.

Garbage. Absolute garbage. We hope you go bankrupt.