Re: Best Advice For Security System

[Frank Olson <Use_the_email_links@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

R.H.Campbell wrote:
> And I'm sorry to break it to you that conventional alarms are far from "on
> their way out". Communications mediums are definately changing, and it will
> require some adaptability on the part of our industry, but that is to be
> expected. Internet transmission, cellular backup, and video verification
> will grow by leaps and bounds, but professional monitoring will only
> increase in both strength and importance in our industry. But there are no
> real alternatives that are worth anything to having a real person who knows
> his job dealing with your alarm, however the transmission medium !
> Cellphones, pagers, "dial a neighbour" arrangements just don't cut it to any
> thinking person !!
>
> However, to suggest that professional monitoring is going to disappear shows
> that you are really not in touch with our industry. The vast majority of
> consumers who buy alarms are not going to depend upon "self monitoring" for
> their security purposes. That is the domain of people who are quite prepared
> to "mickey mouse" their system to save a few bucks, and in the process also
> give up their ability to have their system serviced by professionals. Most
> intelligent customers only want a fully functional, well installed, well
> serviced, dependable, and reasonably priced service, so that they can get on
> with other more important things in life. That is the bottom line regardless
> of how they buy their system, how they pay for it, and the terms of any
> contract that applies.
>
> DIY will always be a part of this industry and all others, but only as a
> tiny percentage of the total installed base. I deal daily with emails and
> calls from DIY'ers who have encountered nothing but troubles in the process
> of installing their alarms, or who have been abandoned by their previous
> company when they decide they no longer want the system monitored properly
> (they often get my name off this newsgroup actually...) Unfortunately, this
> is somewhat of a "closed" industry, and a person who takes on responsibility
> for their own service and warranty is at somewhat of a loss. It's not really
> very just, but unfortunately that's the way it is !!
>
> This is clearly evident with those monitoring stations who deal in the $9.99
> monthly deals direct to consumers. The client does get the freedom of a
> lower rate, albeit having to pay quite a large amount up front for the
> takeover and the personal visit to do the programming. Plus his service
> after that is at the same exhorbitant rates as the nationals, and it is
> usually subcontracted out to local companies they can convince to do the
> service. No one assumes responsibility for the actual customer installation
> and warranty, and that can prove to be a costly consumer mistake !
>
> So the consumer has choices available to him, and that is always how it
> should be ! Smart ones don't buy your philosophy or approach...
>
> R.H.Campbell
> Home Security Metal Products
> Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
> www.homemetal.com
>
> "Sonicduck" <jones1019@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1132852854.058405.300700@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>>I met a guy that told me his system, self installed and monitored,
>>would call his cell phone in an emergency.
>>
>>The cell backup would work the same way if the wires were tripped.  I
>>am not sure if an individual can subscribe to Alarmnet...but I'm sure
>>it would be soon.
>>
>>I hate to break it to you hard working small business owners, but
>>security systems as we know them today, are on the way out.
>>
>>There are getting to be more and more alternatives to a company
>>monitored syetm.



Excellent response, Bob...

Get rid of the "Polecat" software, eh!