Re: ADT Essential Wireless Package

[Nomen Nescio <nobody@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mike said:

>I wonder if any company guarantees their equipment will work w/ other
>monitoring centers?

I've never been asked, but I wouldn't hesitate to do so.

Most small to medium sized alarm companies buy off-the-shelf control
panels, either from wholesale distributors or direct from manufacturers.
That means systems can often be reprogrammed by other alarm companies.
Now, there are some limitations:

1.  Alarm companies frequently lock the panel electronically during the
term of their monitoring contract, to prevent unauthorized changes to the
programming.  Reputable companies will unlock the panel when their
monitoring agreement ends, if the customer owns the equipment.

2.  Not all alarm companies work on all brands of equipment.  So, changing
companies may mean there is a limited selection of companies that are
willing and/or able to work on the system.  This can be a problem with some
factory-direct control panels, since the number of dealers in a given area
may be limited by the manufacturer.

Some big companies use proprietary equipment, not because it's any better
than off-the-shelf equipment, but just to make it difficult for other
companies to take over their systems without spending money.  The special
ADT versions of Ademco panels are an example.  Brink's is another.

Shop wisely.

One other thing about ADT is their warranty:  all of 90 days.  ADT used to
give a one year warranty, which still is pretty much the industry standard.
I think they figured out that a shorter warranty period made it more likely
that people would buy the extended warranty, thereby paying extra for
something they should have received anyway.

Ask around, and see how much you would pay for monitoring an existing,
customer-owned system.  Then compare that figure to what ADT wants to
charge for just monitoring, and then for their monitoring plus extended
warranty package.   A properly installed residential system requires little
service.  Like most extended warranty plans, you will end up paying through
the nose for a little peace of mind.

- badenov