Re: Need Advice For Packaged Home Alarm Purchase

["Mr.Double-sided tape" <alarminstall@xxxxxxx>]

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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