Re: Recomendation for reliable inexpensive monitoring service.

["Robert L Bass" <robertbass1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>> Looking for better pricing than the 25-30 they want locally for alarm
>> monitoring. Found many doing a Google search but can't determine who is
>> good/bad.
>
>
> And neither can anyone here. It's
> really kind of difficult to know how
> you, as an end user, is going to
> be treated, as differentiated from
> an installing dealer, by a central
> station. Some may defer to installers
> ..... some may not. The problem is,
> you, as an end user, don't know
> which is which.

That is the same problem which the gentleman would face if he were to select a local firm.  There's no way to know if they're good,
bad or you until it's too late.  As a DIYer at least he can control who has access to his system.

> Keep in mind that if you aren't intimately
> familiar with your control panel and alarm
> installation, that obtaining monitoring
> service direct, will eliminate or, at least,
> greatly reduce your source of repair
> service...

No one, DIYer or paid installer *repairs*
alarm control panels.  They are either
sent in to the factory or replaced.  If any
other component fails it's a simple matter
to remove and replace it.  This isn't
rocket science.

> If you do get someone to do repair,
> you can pretty much count on the
> fact that they're going to charge you
> much higher fees than they would
> their regular monitored customers.

That is yet another reason to DIY.

> The other thing I kind of feel uneasy
> about is having someone far away,
> or in another state monitor an alarm
> system...

Nonsense!  The central station receiver gets signals by telephone.  In this day and age it is ludicrous to pretend that there's any
difference between placing a local or 800 number call.

The local vs. remote monitoring argument has been going on for decades.  Local guys with tiny businesses argue that local is better.
Companies using large, professional monitoring centers argue that their way is better.  The reality is that there is no difference
at all.  There are good and bad local outfits and there are good and bad remote outfits.

There is one difference that the previous poster failed to mention.  If the gentleman signs with some local alarm dealer he's stuck
using whatever central station they choose.  The contract even allows them to change stations without the customer's consent if they
find one that will do it for a dollar less.  If he goes the DIY route he can decide which station to use.  If he doesn't like them,
he can change at will.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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Bass Home Electronics
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4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
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