Re: Alarm Purchase Help

[Mike Sokoly <secure15@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey mikey- are u suggesting Jim is the only "Long Island Professional"?
I'm out there too!
PS Glad to see "David L" booted Slowmins- Jim and I could show him a few
HORROR STORY Installs be them! Oil Delivery Co.s who "Dabble" in Alarms!
"The General" is also a "Petroleum" Greaser affiliate.
secure15
mikey wrote:
> Long Island? Isn't that Jim's neck of the woods?
> If you are indeed looking for a professionally installed system,
> he's the guy
>
> "David L" <David-Lu@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:Xns96F75A95865A4davidlupobox@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>>I'm a newbie looking for an alarm system.  I really know little about
>>alarm systems and am coming here in the hopes that I can learn enough to
>>ensure that I get the right system.
>>
>>I live on Long Island and am looking for a professionally installed
>>system.
>>
>>So far, I've contacted both General Security
>>(http://www.gensecurity.com)(I've been a happy oil customer of General
>>Utilities for a long time now) and Slomins (http://www.slomins.com).
>>Both are very large/well known installers/monitors here on Long Island.
>>
>>I need to double check some things with General, but Slomins offered a
>>free fully hardwired system that includes a panel, keypad, siren, 1
>>motion detector, 1 smoke alarm, 3 door alarms and professional
>>installation.  Window breaks were $125/window and I probably need around
>>10.  A 2nd smoke alarm is another $150.  5 year CS contact at $25.95/mo.
>>The will connect the system to a VoIP service for free (if I wanted to
>>go that route).
>>
>>Now, some questions.
>>
>>1) Wired or Wireless?  Forgetting about price, is fully wired a superior
>>solution?
>>
>>2) I have no problem letting them make their money back on the install
>>over the life of the original contract, but I see there are many places
>>to get CS much cheaper (i.e. nextalarm.com).  What questions do I need
>>to ask upfront to ensure that once my initial contract is up that I can
>>take my alarm system, without additional costs, to another CS?  Should I
>>have the contract noted that they'll provide me with codes (installer
>>code? user code? what codes do I ask for?) upon completion of the
>>contract?  How do I know that the equipment they'll provide is not
>>propriatary and will work with another CS without some sort of major
>>upgrade?
>>
>>3) Where do I really need glass breaks?  Cost is certainly a factor, so
>>I don't want glass breaks where I don't really need them.  The house is
>>just off the street and I have nearby neighbors on all sides.  The front
>>of the house has a clear view to the street (and to the neighbors across
>>the street). I have all new Anderson casement windows.  I figure the
>>windows in the back that are 8 feet or less off the ground are definite.
>>What about windows near the ground right in the front of the house?  Is
>>it necessary to glass break those?  Would it be almost a total waste to
>>get glass breaks on windows that are 15 feet off the ground in the front
>>of the house?  Are glass breaks the right item for Anderson casements?
>>
>>3a) I'm a little confused as how the Slomin's rep counted the windows.
>>For example, I have 2 windows right next to each other.  IIRC, when the
>>window people put it in, it's one big piece with 2 windows that open out
>>from each other.  The Slomins rep counted that as one window as far as
>>glass breaks would be concerned.  But there are 2 window panes, so I
>>don't understand how both panes are protected.  I asked a few times and
>>she assured me it counted as one.  But, then in another room, I have a
>>four panel casement (one piece) and it counted as 2.  Can anyone explain
>>that?
>>
>>4) Any other suggestions on additional items and position placement
>>(i.e. 2nd motion detector)?  The house is a hi-ranch with an entrance
>>with stairs leading up to the bedrooms, kitchen and living room and
>>stairs leading down to the den.
>>
>>5) My main phone is on a VoIP service now through the cable company.  I
>>do have a 2nd line POTS (that I'm not sure if I'm keeping long term).
>>If the installer says they can get it to work on VoIP, is there any
>>reason not to?  I also figure that if someone does try to cut a cable
>>out back, they might only figure to cut the phone line and not realize I
>>might be using the cable line for phone service.  Also, Verizon is
>>wiring this area fast and there's a chance I might wind up with phone
>>service over their fiber eventually, I might not have a POTS line then.
>>
>>6)Protectamerica.com looks really cheap.  What's the gimmick/catch with
>>them?  Crappy propriatary wireless alarm system?
>>
>>Well, I know I've asked a lot here.  Hopefully, someone could take the
>>time out to respond.  Thanks in advance to all who do.
>>
>>David
>>
>
>
>