Re: Paying customer wakes up to CF alarm every morning

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

I'm surprised that a large company like Brinks would allow connection to
VoIP given the unreliability and ongoing unpredictability of an alarm panel
with the service as it is today. Just because it can be done, and works
today, doesn't mean it will work tomorrow, not should it be done at all.

This is not a flame; just a genuine statement of amazement that Brinks would
do that. I don't often agree with much of what ADT does in the residential
market, but their position on VoIP connectivity with conventional alarms is
clear and concise - don't do it...

RHC

"bdebj2" <djoiner3@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:_Zd4f.36203$0c.23853@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> if they can't get it to work with vonage, they don't know
> what they are doing....i worked on 2 today, and they are working fine...
> the CH trbl is a upload problem, which cannot be done with vonage,
> and that's what they have to program it ....it sounds like they did....
> the CH trbl is a  "comunnication problem" that should NOT happen
> if they are able to test the system.....it sounds like what's happening
> is:  (a)the panel HAS to dial out for them to clear the test, (if it does
> not,
> then they (tech) should not be leaving your house until the problem is
> fixed)
> (b) they are attempting to clear the test, but cannot, and are telling you
> everything is working....if the test cannot "go thru", then the panel will
> continously try to dial out, causing "cp" trbl......tell the manager, to
> check the
> history of the account, and see if they have been able to test the
> system...
> my money would be on NO.....i've been with brinks for over 7 years, and
> i can't think of ONE excuse to leave a customers house with the panel
> not working (short of no phones or no elec)....
>
>
> <brettjbyers@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1129350443.001917.16050@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Unfortionately.... I am back.  First a quick recap since there are over
>> 85 responses then I will update you on the status.
>>
>> Recap: My Brinks alarm was installed in 2002. I paid a fair price for
>> it (including numerous motion, heat, fire, panic/pendant, remotes,
>> door, latchkey, and glass break sensors) and have paid my $35/month
>> monitoring fee every month since installed. About a year ago I switched
>> to Vonage. Deep breaths those passionate about VOIP-  my wife is from
>> London and our phone bills were $100-$200 a month so paying $25 for
>> vonage was verrry apealing so please cut me some slack.  So I put my
>> vonage and cable modem on a backup power supply and accepted the risk
>> that an legitimate alarm even would happen (first of all, very
>> unlikely) AND this would occur at the same time I had an internet
>> hiccup on very reliable pinned up connection.  Yes it could happen, its
>> risk versus reward. Who would have thought I would be where I am today,
>> but before I get to that... I chose to accept the risk, so let me move
>> on.  The VOIP connector was installed and everything "appeard" fine.
>> Skip forward.... Earlier this year I starting getting either CP or CH
>> errors (cant remember which came first). Every night my alarm would
>> start beeping that it could not communicate.  Many service calls, no
>> surprise vonage to blame but the Techs said they could sort it out so I
>> kept paying my monthly fee and let the have a go. Many service
>> appointments later, no dice.  Skip forward another 4 months to
>> September 05 when I received a letter about configuration settings for
>> vonage users.  Again, all this time I am happily paying my monthly fee
>> since I chose to move to vonage. I call brinks and they didnt have any
>> "new" info, they were just reminding of the vonage policy we all have
>> read. But they want to send someone out, so they do.
>>
>> Update: I speak with the local manager and tell him if the system can
>> not be monitored that is fine I will keep paying monthly but STOP the
>> BEEPING!  It starts every 24 hours and drives us nuts!  They come out
>> and install a new board but can't get the system talking over vonage
>> (no biggie) but say the beeping will stop and CP and CH are gone from
>> my display.  Yipee!  Next morning.... CP beeping is back.  Spoke with
>> local manager, says what they did should have done the trick but the
>> tech is coming back again to make sure the CP error will stop. Next
>> day.... ITS BACK!  I did not read about the #99 trick until now but I
>> am not sure I want to have them come out again. I have worked with the
>> local manager and the tech has been out twice in two days... with the
>> sole mission of stopping the CP error even if they can not get it to
>> monitor.  Even though I a to blame for switching to vonage (reminder: I
>> am moving in a few months and will have an alarm analogue line in the
>> new house which is why fixing the root cause or installing a line here
>> is not something I want to do) for my $35 a month today and over the
>> past three years all I want is for the CP beeping to stop.  I feel like
>> I am in an episode of lost with the Dharma experiment.  I better get to
>> sleep, the beeping will be back on schedule in the morning.
>>
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