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

["Crash Gordon" <webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

and I think he beat me out on use of ellipses as well...my favorite
punctuation mark.

--
**Crash Gordon**







"tourman" <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:f257669b-f215-457e-92bb-9136a8aed5fa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> On Mar 2, 5:15 pm, 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@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>
>> > > > 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
>> > > > thoughts
>> > > > on that?
>>
>> > > In the event that you aren't trolling, if you really think that ADT
>> > > yard
>> > > 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)  as 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".  I 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  responsible 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  familiar 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"  of 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.  Look around your area, on shop doors and windows,
>> other lawn signs  ( 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  you will find a list
>> of companys ..... other than the Nationals. It is important that you
>> get a number of estimates so that  you 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.  I'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.....:(