Greetings Google/Nest,
I recently purchased three of the google nest cams with floodlights. With the products I also purchased your professional install package. However, after reflecting and considering that I have already installed two nest cameras, multiple Kasa smart outlets and countless smart lights I decided maybe I could install the floodlights myself. However, once I received the floodlights with cameras and uninstalled one of the home's original floodlights I realized I wouldn't be able to weather-poof this product because the original floodlights didn't have junction boxes. I referred to the Made by Google YouTube video and contacted nest. Nest then sent me a link to hire their professional technician. I followed the link and scheduled an appointment for the professional technician.
The professional technician from OnTech came out and installed the floodlights with cams and they work(ed). However, there is no junction box nor are they sealed with silicon or caulk. I mentioned it to the technician and they told me that a junction box needs to be installed by an electrician and they aren't allowed to install them in my state.
I contacted OnTech's customer support and they reiterated what the professional technician said and added that they weren't sure why Google would say that they could install a junction box in their YouTube video. After that conversation I called nest back and they directed me to this forum.
I am writing this because I agreed to pay for the cameras and the installation process, but I expected it to be done correctly and in-line with the made by google instructions. When I spoke with OnTech's customer service they said that if Nest requires junction boxes, they shouldn't be having OnTech install them as they are legally not allowed to do so. Therefore, it doesn't appear OnTech nor Nest can do this in my area.
I am not sure where to go from here. I spent $279.99+ tax on each of my three cameras, an additional $505 to have wires connected (I could have done that myself) and now I might have to spend additional money to have a professional electrician come out and install a junction box so that these cameras are weather-proofed?
Please let me know how to move forward. In my mind, my last option is to contact my bank and make them aware of the situation. If that's the case then it also seems prudent that Nest change their YouTube video otherwise the FTC should be made aware of it. I hope this doesn't seem like an overreaction and I hope you can imagine my frustration to believe that professional installers actually professionally install products. In reality the professional installers, in my area, are mounting specialist and wire connectors; both things I have done before now and would have been more than capable of doing in this case.
Cheers,
John
