Re: Term agreement with NextAlarm (Fishy?)

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

<thx123> wrote:
>
> 2. Local monitoring company offers relatively better liability
> coverage in case of failure or negligence of their service.

That is incorrect.  Almost everyone in the business has nearly
identical wording in their contracts.  All of the contract central
stations insist on it.

> Q: I chose NextAlarm mostly because of their rich online
> configuration
> and notification features, freedom of having no yearly contracts,
> and
> the ownership of my equipment. If I use a local company I presume I
> would those online features. But I am interested in knowing more
> about
> what local companies can offer, and the reputable ones near my
> area. I
> would appreciate it if anybody would let me know where I can find
> them
> and their ratings. I have tried online but found little info.

That, unfortunately, is the biggest problem in choosing an alarm
company.  There is no rating service.  Membership in the trade
association only means they pay their dues.  It does not guaranty
anything regarding quality of service.  They may be wonderful or they
be errrm..., not so wonderful.

> 3. Alarm monitoring over broadband is a new thing, and involves
> added
> risks especially for DIY people like myself. I am aware of that
> fact
> and hopefully the real time monitoring and notification by email/
> message features by NextAlarm can compensate for that.

Broadband and POTS telephone service monitoring both suffer from the
same threat -- cut lines.  It happens.  You can reduce the threat by
"hardening" your line -- hiding it or covering it where it emerges
from the ground or where it comes down the wall.  Cable modems can
and should be protected by a UPS.  I have fiber optic service and it
comes with a UPS.  My network is firewalled and runs on a UPS so It's
relatively secure.  Unfortunately, nothing is 100% though.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
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http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
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Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
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