Re: Need Advice For Packaged Home Alarm Purchase

["Mike" <wxyz09@xxxxxxxxx>]

"R.H.Campbell" <rh.campbell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:yW4Bf.4955$ve.121857@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> There are a couple of things to watch out for; however, first you have to
> understand how contracts are used in our industry. Long term contracts add
> a measure of equity for the alarm company should they decide to sell their
> accounts to someone else, so most companies will lock you in for the
> longest term acceptable in your local market. They also allow the company
> to advertise lower up front costs by amortizing part of the price of the
> equipment in the monthly monitoring costs. All other things being equal,
> the shortest contract term possible is generally the best way to buy for
> the shopping consumer, since a long term contract will limit your ability
> to shop elsewhere if your providers service deteriorates or you should
> decide to move to a new premises etc (or for any number of other
> legitimate reasons why you might no longer need the alarm monitored). With
> few exceptions, long term contracts do nothing for you the consumer !!
>
> That being said, regardless of the length of the term, try to avoid
> signing a long term contract that has an automatic renewal term that is in
> excess of a year. Read the fine print; some contracts will dictate that
> the original renewal term will automatically be in force once again if
> they don't receive written notice from you the consumer that you don't
> want to renew , some times as much as three months in advance of the
> renewal date. The other clause is a "cost of living" increase clause which
> allows the company to annually raise the monthly amount, leaving you few
> options should you object.
>
> Remember, a contract is a legal document and you may well be held to it
> after you sign it, so read and understand what you are signing. Always
> calculate your total five year costs up front when comparing quotations
> from various companies, including warranty and service costs which often
> don't show up in their original quotes. Remember, there is no such thing
> as a "free system"; you pay the piper up front, or as part of the ongoing
> monthly costs !!
>
> There is more information on my website on pages entitled, "how to shop",
> "contracts", and "faq"
>
> Good luck...
>
> R.H.Campbell
> Home Security Metal Products
> Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
> www.homemetal.com
>
>

Learned a lot reading/browsing you website.  Too bad you're not located in
the midatlantic region, US.

Mike