Re: Need Advice For Packaged Home Alarm Purchase

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

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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> >> > | > | >
> >> > | > |
> >> > | > |
> >> > | >
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> >> > |
> >> > |
> >> > |
> >> >
> >> >
> >