Re: My alarm company has billed me before doing anything

["dcalarms" <mdcalvert@xxxxxxx>]

Thanks for the feedback.

In regard to it being unusual that a company would allow the customer
to either buy additional components or do the prewiring, that may be
true.  I did spend twenty two years as a tech agent for a Federal
agency and wired everything from mail boxes to hotel rooms -- remember
the great video of DC Mayor Marion Berry?  I also recently worked with
a corporate alarm installation team and helped install a plant
security system that had about two dozen areas with over a hundred
zones in each protected area.  That work involved almost all DSC
equipment.  I also had previously explored a DIY approach to doing the
whole home system myself and then contracting with a local monitor.
They come in and perform a complete system check and correct any
wiring or programming issues.  All of this was discussed with the
salesman and he suggested that I could do some of the work myself to
save a few bucks on the total cost.

As far as wanted to "grow fangs" and go after my dealer, not really.
I spent a few years in the installed home improvement business and I
may have mislead you by not arranging the options from the most simple
to the most drastic.  Besides, before I contracted with the company, I
had already checked them out with the state alarm company licensing
office.  They're okay or I would not have asked them to come out.

I will call the owner today and work it out.  The plan we agreed to
includes them doing the actual sensor connections and programming.  As
much as I think I might know, I also know it will be easier if they
can come in and work without having to crawl around in my attic and
run wires through walls and ceilings.  I can do the electric and
telephone and get it to the point where they need it.

All in all, it'll be okay.  I do think the billing is an error.  I
still wonder why the billing is for the full amount and not the
reduced amount that we agreed to.

On a related topic, I think I want to be able to "test" my system
while on the phone with the monitoring point.  To do that, I do not
want the outside strobes and sirens to sound.  Looking at the wiring
diagrams for these devices, I think I can install a key switch in the
box and turn them off during the test.  I did ask the electronic
supply house techies and they said they thought it would be okay.  I
asked if  I would need to jump the switch with a terminating resistor
(EOL) and they think not.  If someone has done this on a DSC-style
system, I'd appreciate the feedback.

This is a good group for getting feedback.  The mix of posters runs
from calm and reasoning to flaming and blaming.  All of the active
posters seem to know the business and usually take the time to provide
good feedback or reasonable opinions.  My original post was an effort
to get the array of possible options.  Look at the replies.  I think I
got what I wanted.

Thanks again.

dcalarms