Re: ADT may come knocking...

["tourman" <rh.campbell@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well, a lot depends upon the laws in your area, but a straight lease
generally means you don't own the equipment nor have any title to it
(end of lease buyout clause excepted). The lease is with the previous
party, who will likely be on the hook for the balance of the payments
unless you assumed all the previous liabilities (which you say you
haven't, but I'd check with your lawyer for sure). A contract is a
contract though, and since ADT can't get blood out of stone, they may
come looking to you for the balance even if they may have no real right
to (again, check the contract). IF they were smart, you could likely
negotiate a deal with them to assume the rest of the lease on a month
to month basis, but somehow, I don't think that will happen. Their
primary interest, like most companies, is to lock you into a long term
agreement. But it's worth a try - might also give you an idea of how
they would treat you in the future should you decide to stay with them.

If that doesn't work, your next best bet might be to rip out the
hardware yourself and tell them to come get it. That way they can't
sabotage the wiring for the next company( although I've seen none of
that kind of unethical behaviour with ADT). It has been my experience
locally that ADT is so huge and so bound by rules and regulations that
they have little ablity or desire to be flexible. That's partly why
they lose so much ongoing business to other companies. That and high
prices and lengthy service wait times (speaking for our area only)

If the installation was so bad originally, make sure your next dealer
will spend the time to go over the system properly to ensure the new
system will work false alarm free in the future. You don't want to
exchange one problem for another !

Good luck...

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

Chad Speer wrote:
> First, let me thank the regulars for much indirect advice over the last
> couple of years.  I've lurked with much success while installing and
> maintaining systems on my current and previous homes.
>
> My current situation is unusual in that we have purchased the assets of
> an existing business, renegotiated a commercial lease in the same
> space, and are operating a newly-formed company under the same trade
> name as the former company.  This was done to effectively take over the
> existing company without incurring any of its liabilities or
> obligations.  Very neat, but...
>
> The previous owner had not yet fulfilled the term of her lease with
> ADT.  Because my wife was a manager of the existing business, we are
> familiar with the very poor quality of the install.  We'll be looking
> elsewhere for our security needs.
>
> I have read here in the past that it is best to ignore the alarm
> company's attempts to contact you regarding their equipment.  I did
> this with our current home and, indeed, they eventually gave up.  I'm
> not sure I'm comfortable with this approach on a business account that,
> in their eyes, is still under contract.  Actually, it is under
> contract, but not with us.  The previous owner no longer holds a lease
> on the property and, again, we assumed none of her obligations.  I'm
> sure that will cost her some money when they get it all straightened
> out.
>
> Ideally, I would like to work out a month to month arrangement with ADT
> until we are able to arrange for a new install.  Does this seem
> reasonable?  If not, should I box up their equipment and allow them to
> retrieve it?  I can slap my home panel in there with some contacts on
> the entry doors (no operable windows) in an afternoon as a stop-gap
> measure until I can get the pros in.  I am very reluctant to allow ADT
> to enter the premises to remove their own equipment.  The building is a
> century old and I'm sure most of the wiring runs were there before this
> latest install.  Who knows what they will pull!?
>
> Thanks again for your expertise!
>
>
> Chad Speer
> Kansas City, MO