Re: Greater Toronto Area Recomendations?

[julian <julian@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Thu, 17 Nov 2005 08:01:55 -0500, "R.H.Campbell"
<rh.campbell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
>"Matt Ion" <soundy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>news:w8Wef.523257$tl2.76766@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> R.H.Campbell wrote:
>>> Sir, I hate to burst your bubble, but this concept is just another
>>> martketing version on the old "low down, megabucks a month" concept.
>>
>> $25/month = "megabucks"?
>
>RHC: It is when you are only leasing the equipment, and never own a thing,
>with never a chance that you can get reduced rates at some point in the
>future
>>

And this also means if you EVER want to change alarm co, you have to
abandon all the additional purchased equipment too, since nobody in
their right mind would support it. Linear wireless, although improved
over the years, has little support in the legitimate alarm business.
At least as far as standard type alarm systems go anyway. I do use
Linear wireless products, but never wireless motions or door/window
transmitters.


>>> They use wireless components strictly because it's easy and cheap to
>>> install, NOT because it is better.
>>
>> I never said it was "better."
>>
>>> Coverage is absolutely minimal, and they make a big issue of this two way
>>> voice business, which is pure marketing hype. DSC sells the same ability
>>> with their PC 5904 two way listen in add on module, but you don't see
>>> most alarmcos rushing out to use it.
>>

AlarmFarce claims to be Canada's largest installer of two-way voice
alarms. Gee, since they're the only one, AFAIK, doesn't THAT tell you
something? If two-way voice was the great thing AF leads us to
believe, then why aren't ALL police forces and alarm companies across
Canada getting on the bandwagon? The answer is simple, MOST police
officers and ALL LEGITIMATE alarm companies know that it's CRAP.


>> And how much does that module cost?  How much is their similar monitoring
>> service?
>
>RHC: The module is minimal in cost, and doesn't add anything to the cost of
>monitoring. Monitoring is whatever the local dealer chooses it to
>be....usually from $15 to $25 monthly
>>
>>> It would also pay to remember this is the same company that made a big
>>> public radio campaign in Toronto telling the thieves in the process one
>>> way to compromise an alarm system.
>>
>> By cutting the phone line?  Anyone who's watched a movie or cop show in
>> the last 30 years has already figured that one out.
>
>RHC: Yeah, well interestingly enough, most are too stupid to actually
>realize that. And most burglaries are crimes of opportunity where the young
>thief sees an opportunity and takes it. He doesn't plan that far ahead. In
>any case, you have to question the ethics of any company that would actually
>advertise in that fashion to suit their own ends. I'm told just after their
>ad campaign, there were a significant number of local robberies done after
>cutting the phone lines, something that was not happening to any degree
>beforehand.
>>
>>> few years. What kind of system, with training, can anyone legitimately
>>> install in an hour. To do everything properly, plus train properly, takes
>>> at least a full day, sometimes two !
>>
>> Really?  How complicated does it NEED to be, to be legitimate?
>
>RHC: It doesn't need nor should be complicated to use. But it does take time
>to install a professional system, hardwired OR wireless. One hour....that's
>a joke !
>>

Reminds me of the Resident Advisor at UVIC some years ago. He was
proud that he'd be 'in and out in 10 minutes' when he was with a
woman.

One hour to install an alarm with testing, paperwork and demo is a
joke, even if it is a basic system.

>> Attach sensor to door and frame.  Attach motion sensor to wall.  Plug
>> brain into power and phone.  Enter your code to arm and disarm.  Does it
>> HAVE to be more complex than that?
>
>RHC: Yes, to do it properly !
>>
>> I don't think your average consumer would want an alarm that takes a
>> day-long course just to operate.  The ones I've installed, most of the
>> users have trouble grasping "zone bypass".
>
>RHC: True enough; however, legitimate systems are very easy to operate. Any
>one who can't grasp the fundamentals of alarm usage shouldn't likely have
>one. The day long time period is for proper installation, training,
>paperwork, passcards...all the things that Alarmforce don't seem to consider
>as important as your name on a long term contract.
>>
>>> Again, just my biased opinion, but they are as close to a scam as any
>>> company can get without actually crossing the line. Sad that a cop
>>> actually buys into that crap about fewer false alarms ! And even sadder
>>> still, is that a lot of consumers buy it as well......
>>
>> Well I'm sure you would have been happy to come install a panel, a couple
>> sensors, and do all the wiring for a really low cost.  Being in a rental
>> at the time, we didn't really want to invest in a big installed system
>> that we wouldn't even be able to take along when we moved.
>
>RHC: Actually, rental situations are where wireless equipment makes sense.
>And that's what the "all in one" wireless systems were designed for. But the
>rule still applies in this business as in all others...you pay nothing, you
>get nothing !

What a concept!

My Chinese Grandfather said there are three way you can get things,
cheap, fast and good, but you can only have two at a time.

If it's cheap and fast, it's not good.
If it's fast and good, it's not cheap.
If it's good and cheap, it's not fast.

>>
>> For our situation, it was the best option.  Even knowing what I know now,
>> and having installed "standard" alarms myself, I know it would have been
>> preferable TO US at the time.  Sorry if that offends you, but one size
>> does NOT fit all.
>
>RHC: It doesn't offend me. Consumers should have freedom of choice. I'm just
>suggesting, in most homes, in most cases, this is just about the worst alarm
>buying decision anyone could make. And you're right, one size doesn't fit
>all, something Alarmforce clearly doesn't want to understand..
>
>RHC
>


Julian