Re: Compass Software

["R.H.Campbell" <rh.campbell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sir, I can only speak for monitoring stations that I know of in Canada, but
there is no such thing as "amateur monitoring". Monitoring stations are the
most heavily regulated part of the alarm business, and almost without
exception, adhere to ULC and CSA standards. Other than the stations that
cater directly to end users for about $10, monitoring stations charge
dealers somewhat less ($2 to $6), and the end price of monitoring is resold
by dealers according to what the market will bear, or what they choose to
market it at to be competitive in their area. From my direct experience, the
$10 a month monitoring stations are every bit as professional as the larger
monitoring stations, and in some cases much more responsive to the end user
than some of the very large stations. What you don't get with the "direct to
end user monitoring" however, is any support whatsoever for your alarm
system. If you have trouble, or a question, or need service, you are either
completely on your own, or subject to a local subcontractor for service.
It's a bit of a crapshoot, but with a local dealer on your side, you will
usually be pleasantly surprised on the level of service you can obtain when
you need it, for only a few dollars a month more !!

The administrative price you are charged is what your particular company
feels they need to set your system up; it has no bearing on the quality of
the monitoring or even the quality of the company doing the setup on your
behalf. Some companies choose to bill for that time; others don't because
they know they are beginning what is usually a long and profitable
relationship with you. You can't assume anything from the setup fees !!

However, it does pay to choose a company that you feel comfortable with,
because you will likely be with them for some years to come

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com



"Robertm" <Respond@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:di13tk$9crd$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Amateur monitoring may cost more or less than pro monitoring. It has been
> said that one gets what they pay for, but too many times the customer
> doesn't get what he pays for. No, I'm not going with some cheap outfit.
> Yes, someone will remote program it for $50, but price is not the
> determining factor. I merely asked if that was a reasonable price. If
> someone came back and said, no, it normally costs $200, then I would
> suspect the $50 people probably don't know what they are doing. If it's in
> the ballpark, then that's good. If someone quoted me $2, I'd pass it by.
> The monitoring company I'll be using appears to be operated by someone who
> is well respected and posts regularly in this NG.  If the other pros
> respect him, then that's a good sign. I agree, no one ever really knows
> what they are getting for any product until they actually get it and have
> to use it. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. Yes, one should never
> assume. However, I am an engineer who has done extensive programming and I
> know the policy on all of my purchased software. I can't believe a pro
> wouldn't have a backup copy off site, but I suppose anyone can be sloppy.
>
> Robert
>
> "moe" <moe@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:GbU0f.376$Ra.71@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> "Robertm" <Respond@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:di11gh$9bbb$1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>I would be inclined to assume that a pro would know what his warranty and
>>>replacement policy was on his software.
>>
>> you know what happens when you assume.:)
>>
>> Unless you are very new to
>>> computing, the internet, and newsgroups, you know that many DIY post on
>>> pro NG's because they get some very good advice.
>>
>> and some get no help or get lambasted, but very few get access to pro
>> only info
>>
>> I'm a DIY who has watched the
>>> NG for some time and will now get my monitoring service from one of the
>>> pros who has posted here. I'm comfortable that he knows what he is
>>> doing.
>>
>> is that the one for $50 to prog?
>>
>> If I
>>> wanted to buy an amateur monitoring service, I'd have posted there.
>>
>> where can you get amateur monitoring? and how much does that cost?
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Bob
>>>
>>
>>
>
>