Re: How much of a deterrent is a non-ADT/Brinks home security system?

[tourman <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Mar 2, 5:15=A0pm, Jim <alarmi...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Mar 1, 10:48 pm, draga...@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Mar 1, 10:10 pm, "Doug" <n...@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > > <draga...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>
> > >news:e494b8ea-100e-4493-8da7-b7e49a78a959@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx=
..
>
> > > > It makes a lot of sense to me to install our own system and have it
> > > > monitored by a company like Next Alarm.
>
> > > > What I'm concerned about is the signs outside the house will not be
> > > > the familiar ADT/Brinks signs and therefore not have the same
> > > > effectiveness at deterring potential burglars. What are your though=
ts
> > > > on that?
>
> > > In the event that you aren't trolling, if you really think that ADT y=
ard
> > > signs are more effective than any other yard signs, then ebay always =
has
> > > dozens of ADT yard signs listed.
>
> > > Doug
>
> > I had a feeling my question must sound ridiculous to all of you, but
> > as someone just investigating my options, I am of course first faced
> > with the hype.
>
> > Thanks for clarifying!
>
> > We were about to sign a three-year contract tomorrow with ADT, for $43/
> > month and $1050 worth of equipment plus $95 municipal construction
> > fee. And then I decided to dig a little deeper!
>
> > Just for fun, I'll tell you what was included in the ADT package:
> > Service:
> > - Standard Monthly Service, Burglary
> > - Safewatch Cellguard
> > - Extended Limited Warranty/Quality Service Plan
>
> > Equipment:
> > - 2 custom keypads
> > - 3 door sensors
> > - 3 motions (2 basement, 1 first floor)
> > - 4 window sensors
> > - 1 cell backup parallel
> > - 1 remote
> > - 1 telco (?, can't read this, it could be something else that begins
> > with 'Te')
> > - 1 sounder-
>
> Here's the story... briefly.....................
> This industry is largely made up of small independent alarm companys.
> However, it's the large companys who've got the money for advertising
> that get all the notice. Unfortunately, because they 're so big, they
> cannot compete on a one for one basis with the smaller independents,
> especially for the personal service that they can provide. Although
> the National companys monitor millions of accounts, the quantity of
> accounts that are monitored through independent installation companys,
> far outnumbers them. The Nationals, in my opinion, are not in the
> security business but in the "paper" business. They make X amount of
> dollars per month on every account they install, just like every alarm
> installation business, but they've built their business model on the
> fact that they can make as much money per month on installing a few
> doors an a motion detector or two ( ie as little as possible) =A0as they
> can by installing a complete system. By "paper" business, I mean that
> with every installation they do, they can take that contract to the
> bank, borrow money against it and install three or four more systems.
> It's not about security, it's about "recurring revenue". =A0I don't know
> where you are located, but in my area (US Northeast) one of their
> other "tricks" is to charge more per (additional) opening, or increase
> the monthly amount when you show interest in having more than the
> basic 2 or 3 doors and a motion detector installed. This because, to
> them, to install a "bigger" system, they can't do as many
> installations per day and it actually cuts down on their profit.
> It's all about the "monthly" They'd rather do 2 "quicky" installations
> a day for $43.00 per month than take two days to only get one $43.00
> account.
>
> I'm not going to quote a price on the system you outlined because
> installations are highly affected by what the going price is in your
> particular area. However, the monthly monitoring fee ranges/averages
> anywhere from $20.00 to 30.00 per month nationally, from independents.
> There are central stations that will monitor your system for
> substantially less, but you lose the advantage of having someone who
> is familar with you and your system, being available to provide you
> with custom service and information, should you require it. You'd have
> to service the system yourself and if you did need help, calling in a
> dealer who wasn't =A0responsible for your monitoring would like result
> in much higher sevice fees. With the Nationals, your going to have one
> "crew" install it and for service (which is reputed to be slow, at
> best) will be done by whoever is available at the time. You'll likely
> never see =A0familiar face again.
>
> Another tidbit of information about the Nationals is that the majority
> of the companys doing the installations are simply local companys who
> are "franchised" to use the National name and there is no guarantee
> that, other than the National name, that your installation will have
> any direct contact with the National company. These companys are not
> "employees" =A0of the National company but just local "representatives"
> who will do the installation and then sell your contract to the
> National company and then you are simply another account in the big
> machine. In the case of Brinks, you never even own the equipment. They
> have been known to not be too explicit about informing people about
> that.
>
> Now, of course there's a downside to using an independent also. The
> Nationals will tell you that the independents monitor your alarm from
> their "basement" and that their central station is a professional
> central with all the approvals and cetifications. The reality is, the
> overwhelming majority of independents use, what we refer to as "third
> party" centrals. These are fully approved and certified centrals that
> cater to independents and as a whole, monitor more alarms than all the
> Nationals put together. However, as with all trades, you can be the
> lucky one who picks a "bad" independent as easily as you can pick any
> bad contractor. The motor of the independents success, ...... is word
> of mouth referrals. =A0Look around your area, on shop doors and windows,
> other lawn signs =A0( Yes, there are many, if you look) and don't be shy
> in asking how they like their alarm company. They'll be more than
> happy to tell you. If there is state licensing in your state, there
> should be a web site where you can obtain a list of companys and also
> look for local or state alarm associations where =A0you will find a list
> of companys ..... other than the Nationals. It is important that you
> get a number of estimates so that =A0you can compare not only prices but
> approaches to your particular security needs. There's more than one
> way to "skin the cat" as they say.
> Do your homework, as you seem to be doing by coming here and asking
> questions.
>
> Among the people who frequent this group, we refer to the Nationals as
> the "Lick and Stick" companys .... for good reason. I think of the
> Nationals as the alarm installation companys who are there for the
> consumers who are not willing to do the research that home or business
> security (should) require. If you're considering home securtiy, you've
> got a reason. Think about what it is you want to accomplish and
> actually WHY you are considering security and if you want to put it
> into the hands of someone who thinks of your personal, family and home
> security as a "commodity".... or not. =A0I'm sure you'll find that
> although cost is a major factor ..... after all .....It's about peace
> of mind, once the system is installed.

RHC: Yup, that about says it.

However, you realize you have now officially beaten me out as the most
long winded member of this newsgroup.....:(