Re: Any tips for a consumer about to purchase a system & contract?

["tourman" <rh.campbell@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Some of these discount monitoring stations do a good job. However, the
only consumers that would want to take advantage of these kinds or
services are those who are competent enough to service their own
systems ie: competent DIY' ers who installed their own system and know
it well. Otherwise, if you do need service on your panel through one of
these discount houses, it MAY be available through a third party dealer
in your area, and it WILL be very expensive. These stations are
basically"cream skimming" the market place with no interest in service,
but when (not if) you do require service, I guarantee things won't look
quite so rosy.....

However, this gentleman said he is in the process of shopping for an
alarm system. If like 99.9% of consumers, he would rather have a
professional do it (so he can get on with more important things in his
life), then the above sort of monitoring station is definately not
applicable for him.

Some of the other comments you make about the ills of our industry have
validity; however, it is both inaccurate and unfair to tarnish everyone
with the same brush. Most companies provide good service and do so
gladly. Service is what keeps them alive in this industry as it is in
most others. However, it always wise to read and understand any sort of
contractual arrangement before you sign it.....the old saying 'let the
buyer beware" does apply here when it comes to alarm contracts !!

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
www.homemetal.com

Bill wrote:
> Some "big" alarm companies can be bigger crooks than the crooks they are
> protecting you from! Beware!
>
> You can get monitoring here for $8.95 a month for example...
> http://www.alarmrelay.com
>
> Read *everything* in any contract they want you to sign. You can be stick
> with an expensive monitoring contact for years which has automatic renewal.
>
> You can be stick with a system where they only have the key to the box, they
> have the installation/programming codes, and they will disable it if you
> cancel your contract.
>
> I would get a system where you have the key to the box, you have the
> installation programming codes, you have the programming instructions, and
> you can program it yourself. Also where you can select which company will
> monitor your alarm and switch to another monitoring company as you wish.
>
> Don't go by what the salesman tells you. Go by what is written in the
> contract. Read it - every line. Might be better to have no contract, buy
> your own equipment on the internet, and have an off-duty alarm company
> employee do the installation for you. Or insist they install everything and
> you pick your own monitoring company. Smaller companies are better if you
> ask me.