Re: Need Advice For Packaged Home Alarm Purchase

["Mike" <wxyz09@xxxxxxxxx>]

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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