Re: Never had an alarm before but...

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

Sir, your post is full of half truths, misconceptions and plain outright
incorrect facts. See below
..........................................................................................................................................................

"Bill" <bill190nospam@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:42fh8qF1ipadtU1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Beware! Some alarm companies can be bigger "crooks" than the crooks you
> are trying to protect yourself from.

RHC: Some may be just as in every other industry; however, the vast majority
are NOT, and are simply trying to provide good honest service to their
clients. Your generalized smear of the industry is not warranted in any way,
shape of form.
>
> They will lock you into monitoring contracts and control the electronic
> equipment so that if you cancel their monitoring, your equipment will not
> function.

RHC: They may well lock you into a contract of some duration. That is the
industry norm. It's also a fact that if you shop around, you may be able to
find companies that don't. However, cancellation of monitoring does not
affect the system in it's ability to work in "local" (non monitored mode).
Many if not most DIY'ers opt for no monitoring, or something they call "self
monitoring". IMO they are shortchanging themselves; however, the measure of
security they choose is their choice. But all alarms will work in local
mode.
>
> Don't sign any contracts.

RHC:  A long term contract may or may not be an option depending upon the
company you choose. However, no company will ever work without a contract
being signed whatever the term...monthly or long term. That would be
extremely foolish !
>
> Buy your equipment for cash/credit card on internet or wherever. Pay
> someone to install it or do it yourself - no contracts.

RHC: That is an option. However, it may be difficult to find a company that
wishes to install a non monitored account...for two reasons. Or if you do,
it will be at an expensive price. Monitoring is where the money is, and
second...non monitored accounts simply don't work very well. The party you
choose to do the installations may or may not do a good job. It has been my
experience that the contractors that do this casually for clients generally
don't have the experience level to do what most would consider a
professional quality installation. That usually translates into the systems
ability to do it's job with no false alarm problems !
>
> There are companies which will do monitoring for very little and have
> fairly simple contracts. The following company looks good to me, but might
> want to look at others as well.

RHC: Provided you choose a ULC rated company, you can get raw monitoring for
$10 a month. What you give up is the warranty and service of a dealer for
the extra dollars a month. At that point, it becomes a crapshoot ! You're
betting you never need the services of a dealer, because if you do, it's
going to be a subcontractor, and his prices for the simplest service will
quickly eat up any perceived gain from the lower rate ! But like everything
in life, it's the consumers choice. But my personal opinion, is it's a poor
bet for the consumer !!
>
> Anyway be in the position where *you* own your equipment and you decide
> where it will be monitored. If not happy with your monitoring, you may be
> locked in for a year, and may be required to give them notice in writing
> that you want to cancel, but at least you will be able to switch.

RHC: That's the first thing you've said that makes sense !!! Freedom to move
comes with the shortest contract but in turn will be the hardest to find !
Long term contracts build a measure of equity in their companies, so most
choose to sell that way. It's purely business; NOT a scam as you seem to be
suggesting !
>
> Also alarm systems can be "locked out" by the monitoring company. Get it
> in writing that they will not lock out your alarm system and that should
> you cancel, they will return control of the alarm system to you.

RHC: Your terminology of "locked out" is confusing. Every company changes
the installer code while they are responsible for your system, and that is
as it should be. Any other company coming in simply has to default the board
back to factory specs, and reprogram. It's no big deal, and wise to do
anyway, to eliminate undefined signals going to the Central Station !!
However, if the board has the hardware lockout activated as well, this
cannot be done. If the equipment belongs to the client, and there is nothing
owing in the way of revenues to the company, it is not legitimate for ANY
reason. If it is locked, and the company refuses to unlock it, it amounts to
theft, pure and simple.
>
> So far as interrior motion detectors, get a "dual" type which is IR and
> microwave. The are not likely to have false alarms. And wireless systems
> use batteries which cost a fortune. I have my system "hard wired" and
> don't need to buy any batteries.

RHC: Wireless systems today are very good; however, they do require more
service due to batteries. A hard wired system overall usually gives you more
reliable service over the long term.
>
> Ask questions here about specific door contacts, smoke detectors, motion
> sensors, best monitoring companies, etc. and you should get good answers.

RHC: Yes, you will get good answers here provided you don't come in with
preconceived and incorrect ideas as you have stated in this post. Try coming
in with an open mind; ask valid questions that don't piss people off at the
beginning, and you will generally get good advice from professionals in the
business.  Continue to "diss" our industry and you will get what you
deserve...
>
> One monitoring company...
> http://www.alarmrelay.com

RHC: Another good "direct to end user" ULC rated company in Canada is
www.themonitoringcentre.ca. But know beforehand, you will be charged for the
setup, and one full year in advance. Service will be by subcontractor who
has no vested interest in your system, and can be expensive. Your choice !!

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



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