Re: My alarm company has billed me before doing anything

["Jim" <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

On Mar 14, 11:15=EF=BF=BDam, "dcalarms" <mdcalv...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> 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. =A0I 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? =A0I 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. =A0That work involved almost all DSC
> equipment. =A0I 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. =A0All 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. =A0Besides, before I contracted with the company, I
> had already checked them out with the state alarm company licensing
> office. =A0They're okay or I would not have asked them to come out.
>
> I will call the owner today and work it out. =A0The plan we agreed to
> includes them doing the actual sensor connections and programming. =A0As
> 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. =A0I can do the electric and
> telephone and get it to the point where they need it.
>
> All in all, it'll be okay. =A0I do think the billing is an error. =A0I
> 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. =A0To do that, I do not
> want the outside strobes and sirens to sound. =A0Looking 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. =A0I did ask the electronic
> supply house techies and they said they thought it would be okay. =A0I
> asked if =A0I would need to jump the switch with a terminating resistor
> (EOL) and they think not. =A0If someone has done this on a DSC-style
> system, I'd appreciate the feedback.

Let's see now ........ The purpose of a test is ...... ummmmmm to test
your system?

 If you don't leave the outdoor siren and strobe on, how will you know
if they're working? Hmmmmmmm?

 Unless, of course, you intend to test every door and window,
everytime you test the system. Then the keyswitch would probably be a
good idea.

I usually suggest that my clients open a few different openings each
time they test their system. This way the siren isn't going for longer
than a few minutes, each time.


>
> This is a good group for getting feedback. =A0The mix of posters runs
> from calm and reasoning to flaming and blaming. =A0All of the active
> posters seem to know the business and usually take the time to provide
> good feedback or reasonable opinions. =A0My original post was an effort
> to get the array of possible options. =A0Look at the replies. =A0I think I
> got what I wanted.
>
> Thanks again.
>
> dcalarms