Had one of those 10 year smoke detectors start going off regularly for
no reason after five years of service. Called the manufacturer, waited
on hold a good 20-25 minutes for a customer no-service droid who kept
putting me on hold after each bit of info he asked for.

He eventually said they'd send me out another and email me a shipping
notice and tracking number when then did. On the plus side, he spoke
clear, intelligible English.

About 10 days later I happened to notice a rather soggy package sitting
near my front door- which I never use as we come in and out through the
garage.

I ran the tracking number that was on the package (they had never
emailed me a shipping notice) and it had been delivered the previous
day. Unfortunately, it had rained overnight. While the shipping carton
was a mess, the retail box was only damp.

Installed the detector and it was DOA- making erratic alarms and not
quitting when I hit the hush button. I had to jab the kill hole on the
rear of the device with a screwdriver.

I called the mfr again- this time only spending only 10 minutes on hold,
and they said they'll send a new one.

Sheesh!

--
The fastest way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.