Re: Need Advice For Packaged Home Alarm Purchase

["Mike" <wxyz09@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for you very helpful post.  I learned a lot about contracts..  Will
check out you website.

Mike

"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
>
>
> "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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