Re: Need Advice For Packaged Home Alarm Purchase

["Mike" <wxyz09@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks,

Mike

"Mr.Double-sided tape" <alarminstall@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1138477025.220186.80900@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Yes they are. No company bats 1.000 (like the sales rep you dealt with)
> but they apparently came closer than anyone else. I'm not endorsing any
> company but I am saying you shouldn't eliminate them because of a sales
> rep.
>
> Mike wrote:
>> Then the awards are given for good products and good service?
>>
>> Mike
>>
>> "Mr.Double-sided tape" <alarminstall@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> news:1138416629.330025.40770@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> > Correction:
>> > Those awards are NOT given out to the largest advertiser.
>> >
>> > What a typo.
>> > Mikey has me flustered thinking about beavertail.
>> >
>> >
>> > Mr.Double-sided tape wrote:
>> >> Mike wrote:
>> >> > What's wrong with /AD? <
>> >>
>> >> How about a 99% false alarm rate? Ask the local cops.
>> >>
>> >> > ADT rep reports they Installation Quality Control
>> >> > Board website  use two monitoring stations.<
>> >>
>> >> ADT's Central Station might be listed as IQ Certified but their
>> >> installations are not in line with IQ Standards. IQ calls for the use
>> >> of 18/4 fire rated cable for transformers, smoke detectors, heats,
>> >> motions, and keypads. They call for 18/2 fire rated cable on sirens.
>> >> ADT uses 22/4 which is the same wiring used for phone lines. It's not
>> >> fire rated.
>> >> ADT has many options that do not meet the U.L. Standards. Visit the
>> >> ADT.com website and see for yourself.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > Will check out Monitronics.<
>> >>
>> >> Could be a good choice, but ask for a few references from the local
>> >> dealer to make sure you won't go months on end without service if
>> >> needed.
>> >> ISTR hearing there was a pretty decent Moni installer in the Baltimore
>> >> area.
>> >> Moni does have a few dealers to stay clear of though. Alarmex,
>> >> Pinnacle, and Safehome are a disaster waiting to happen.
>> >>
>> >> > Brinks got bad press in this message thread.<
>> >>
>> >> Brinks was named Consumer Digest Best Buy 5 years in a row, and JD
>> >> Power and Associates gave their CS an award for outstanding customer
>> >> service. Those awards are given out to the largest advertiser so they
>> >> must be doing something good. Don't eliminate them because of one or
>> >> two sales reps. Call their home office and see if maybe they can help.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > Does any sites review the
>> >> > alarm companies?<
>> >>
>> >> Outside of Consumer Digest, and JD Power there's nothing I have seen
>> >> from reputable sources. 8 million alarm websites will have 8 trillion
>> >> opinions, but I'd be wary of those who are just looking to gain your
>> >> account.
>> >> I don't live in MD so your decision doesn't affect my wallet one way
>> >> or
>> >> the other. I am just trying to giev you some food for thought before
>> >> you make a choice. Like I said in another post, don't decide based on
>> >> cost. This is a life safety device so it's one of the most important
>> >> purchases you will ever make for your home.
>> >>
>> >> >Will check out Installation Quality Control Board website<
>> >>
>> >> Make sure that the installing company (not just the CS) is IQ
>> >> Certified, and make them agree to install based upon IQ standards.
>> >> Mike, I can only wish you the best of luck with your choice. If you'd
>> >> like to send me whatever proposals you are receiving I'd be glad to
>> >> help you with them. You have my email address.
>> >>
>> >> Tom
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> > Mike
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > "Mr.Double-sided tape" <alarminstall@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> >> > news:1138331952.435789.99790@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > > Slomins will place a lien on your home, and their warranty drives
>> >> > > the
>> >> > > rate from $25 per month to $37 per month. They also install
>> >> > > refurbished
>> >> > > equipment.
>> >> > > If the choice is between ADT and Brinks I'm going with Brinks.
>> >> > > Tyco/ADT
>> >> > > is a complete joke. Don't disqualify Brinks so fast either.
>> >> > > Monitronics is also an option (albeit not what they once were) you
>> >> > > should look at.
>> >> > > Never shop price in this industry because it will drive you nuts,
>> >> > > and
>> >> > > the cheapest upfront will always bite you in the ass in the long
>> >> > > run.
>> >> > > Check the Installation Quality Control Board website and find a
>> >> > > few
>> >> > > dealers in your area who are members. The IQ Board makes false
>> >> > > alarm
>> >> > > prevention their number one issue, and their installation
>> >> > > guidelines
>> >> > > back that up.
>> >> > > Some of the characters offering "advice" have their own personal
>> >> > > agendas so beware of these clowns spewing their nonsense.
>> >> > > If they truly knew as much as they proclaim they would be more
>> >> > > successful, and wouldn't be operating home-based businesses.
>> >> > > Long term contracts work both ways. No company wants to sign a
>> >> > > long
>> >> > > term agreement with a customer who is going to be a pain in the
>> >> > > ass
>> >> > > or
>> >> > > default on payments especially when the alarm company has more
>> >> > > invested
>> >> > > upfront than the customer. The alarmco has more to lose in the
>> >> > > front
>> >> > > end, and will do what it takes to retain your business for the
>> >> > > long
>> >> > > haul. Month to month companies can drop off the face of the earth
>> >> > > in
>> >> > > a
>> >> > > second leaving you to go through this shit all over again, and
>> >> > > they
>> >> > > tend to switch central stations whenever a cheaper alternative
>> >> > > comes
>> >> > > along. An example of a solid central station is Rapid Response. An
>> >> > > example of  shoemaker centrals is AlarmCentral and NextAlarm.
>> >> > > I'd guarantee most of those spewing crap about contracts, and
>> >> > > installing companies have used no fewer than five different
>> >> > > central
>> >> > > stations during their tenures in this field.
>> >> > > This is risky. The most important part of the system is the
>> >> > > monitoring!
>> >> > > All alarm systems are equal until an emergency occurs and you need
>> >> > > immediate assistance. When the emergency arises is the separation
>> >> > > time
>> >> > > between the best and the rest.
>> >> > > A few of us here have had hands-on experience with all of these
>> >> > > companies, and our opinions will greatly differ so the job is
>> >> > > YOURS
>> >> > > to
>> >> > > do the research. Take the bits and pieces from everyone, sift
>> >> > > through
>> >> > > the bullshit, add whatever FACTS you find, and good luck with your
>> >> > > choice.
>> >> > >
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Mike wrote:
>> >> > >> Brinks is off the list.  I called two independents but they
>> >> > >> didn't
>> >> > >> call
>> >> > >> me
>> >> > >> back.
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >> Mike
>> >> > >>
>> >> > >> "Crash Gordon" <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> >> > >> news:0LgBf.15$Yd.372@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > >> > Brinks uses proprietary equipment, you might want to double
>> >> > >> > think
>> >> > >> > that
>> >> > >> > choice.
>> >> > >> >
>> >> > >> > Personally I'd go with a smaller company...one where your money
>> >> > >> > is
>> >> > >> > literally
>> >> > >> > putting bread on the owner's table...much more likely to get
>> >> > >> > better
>> >> > >> > service.
>> >> > >> > Unless, of course, the owner is a grouchy old fart like me:-)
>> >> > >> >
>> >> > >> >
>> >> > >> > "Mike" <wxyz09@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> >> > >> > news:fWfBf.5504$zh2.521@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > >> > | Much thanks for your useful information.  I wouldn't have
>> >> > >> > considered
>> >> > >> > many
>> >> > >> > of
>> >> > >> > | the items you mentiuoned in your post.
>> >> > >> > | I'm starting to feel like an informed consumer.   I attempted
>> >> > >> > to
>> >> > >> > contact
>> >> > >> > a
>> >> > >> > | local installer who installed a wired system,
>> >> > >> > | Solmon's Shield(sp?) for a neighbor, but he sold out to one
>> >> > >> > of
>> >> > >> > the
>> >> > >> > large
>> >> > >> > | security companies.    I then Called Brink's Security
>> >> > >> > | who told me I should buy their motion sensor system with door
>> >> > >> > alarms
>> >> > >> > for
>> >> > >> > | $300.00 + and a $28.xx monthly fee.
>> >> > >> > | My house is a end of group rowhouse with a walk out basement.
>> >> > >> > I
>> >> > >> > don't
>> >> > >> > | believe the motion sensor is going to cut it.
>> >> > >> > | I believe I need alarms in the basement and on the second
>> >> > >> > floor.
>> >> > >> > |
>> >> > >> > | Mike
>> >> > >> > |
>> >> > >> > | "Crash Gordon" <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
>> >> > >> > message
>> >> > >> > | news:qR6Bf.29$H_2.2099@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > >> > | > Initial term of the contract should be something
>> >> > >> > reasonable..2-3
>> >> > >> > years
>> >> > >> > is
>> >> > >> > | > common...anything  more as an initial term is kinda
>> >> > >> > ridiculous.
>> >> > >> > Most
>> >> > >> > | > contracts auto-renew yearly on the anniversary date of the
>> >> > >> > signing,
>> >> > >> > this
>> >> > >> > | > usually tied to your procedure on canceling monitoring
>> >> > >> > should
>> >> > >> > you
>> >> > >> > decide
>> >> > >> > | > to
>> >> > >> > | > cancel after the initial term...read what the notification
>> >> > >> > time
>> >> > >> > | > is...usually
>> >> > >> > | > 30 days prior. Some states have restricitons on
>> >> > >> > auto-renewal
>> >> > >> > clauses.
>> >> > >> > | >
>> >> > >> > | > What is their policy if you move before the initial term is
>> >> > >> > expired?
>> >> > >> > | >
>> >> > >> > | > Read the fine print. Do you own all of the equipment once
>> >> > >> > you
>> >> > >> > have
>> >> > >> > paid
>> >> > >> > | > them
>> >> > >> > | > for the installation - not completion of the initial term
>> >> > >> > of
>> >> > >> > the
>> >> > >> > contract?
>> >> > >> > | > Make sure what you are buying is not actually a hidden
>> >> > >> > leased
>> >> > >> > system.
>> >> > >> > | >
>> >> > >> > | > Is the equipment proprietary? < Stay away from this,
>> >> > >> > because
>> >> > >> > if
>> >> > >> > you're
>> >> > >> > not
>> >> > >> > | > happy and you cancel and the equipment is proprietary like
>> >> > >> > one
>> >> > >> > big
>> >> > >> > | > alarmco's
>> >> > >> > | > is...you endup throwing it away.
>> >> > >> > | >
>> >> > >> > | > However, all that being said..you are really buying a
>> >> > >> > relationship.
>> >> > >> > Do
>> >> > >> > you
>> >> > >> > | > like the guy? Did you get good recommendations from other
>> >> > >> > people?
>> >> > >> > Do
>> >> > >> > they
>> >> > >> > | > seem like a company you can deal with?
>> >> > >> > | >
>> >> > >> > | > BTW, contacts don't have to be inforced. I let people slide
>> >> > >> > all the
>> >> > >> > | > time...sometimes you have to, sometimes it just the right
>> >> > >> > thing to
>> >> > >> > do
>> >> > >> > (not
>> >> > >> > | > enforce a clause) to keep a client happy. I DO enforce
>> >> > >> > contracts
>> >> > >> > when
>> >> > >> > | > someone hasn't paid me for a zillion months - thats fair I
>> >> > >> > should
>> >> > >> > think
>> >> > >> > | > :-)
>> >> > >> > | >
>> >> > >> > | >
>> >> > >> > | > "Mike" <wxyz09@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> >> > >> > | > news:kN3Bf.30561$RK3.11160@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > >> > | > | Is there anything I should look out for in a contract?
>> >> > >> > | > |
>> >> > >> > | > | Mike
>> >> > >> > | > |
>> >> > >> > | > | "Crash Gordon" <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
>> >> > >> > message
>> >> > >> > | > | news:LRYAf.84$Xi2.16083@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > >> > | > | > You as the buyer will most likely not be specifying
>> >> > >> > anything in
>> >> > >> > a
>> >> > >> > | > | > contract.
>> >> > >> > | > | >
>> >> > >> > | > | >
>> >> > >> > | > | >
>> >> > >> > | > | >
>> >> > >> > | > | > "Mike" <wxyz09@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>> >> > >> > | > | > news:9NXAf.13300$jd5.8174@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> >> > >> > | > | > | I'm looking for advice for a packaged home alarm
>> >> > >> > system.
>> >> > >> > Would
>> >> > >> > like
>> >> > >> > | > | > advice
>> >> > >> > | > | > | for vendors, what I need to buy and what to avoid and
>> >> > >> > advice
>> >> > >> > on
>> >> > >> > how
>> >> > >> > | > to
>> >> > >> > | > | > deak
>> >> > >> > | > | > | with vendors, eg what I nned to ask them and specify
>> >> > >> > in
>> >> > >> > a
>> >> > >> > contract.
>> >> > >> > | > | > |
>> >> > >> > | > | > | Thanks
>> >> > >> > | > | > |
>> >> > >> > | > | > | Mike
>> >> > >> > | > | > |
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