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Never had an alarm before but...

I'm just beginning to research home security systems.
It is quite bewildering, and salespeople are not much use as a source
of unbiased information, to say the least.

I've not had much luck finding a place on the internet where I can read
reviews of the different types of system, reviews of monitoring
companies etc.

Does such exist? If so, where?

I was a bit put off by a guy from ADT who offered my "over 1200 dollars
worth" of hardware (but only if I signed up today), and what amounted
to $42.00 / mo for monitoring. ($CDN here).

Can't I just by the best hardware, install it myself and pay somebody
to monitor it? Surely if I can build computers, I can install other
electronics.

Or is there more to this than I can even imagine?

I no so little about this whole thing I don't even know what I don't
know.

Tkx,
V
 
B

Bill

Jan 1, 1970
0
Beware! Some alarm companies can be bigger "crooks" than the crooks you are
trying to protect yourself from.

They will lock you into monitoring contracts and control the electronic
equipment so that if you cancel their monitoring, your equipment will not
function.

Don't sign any contracts.

Buy your equipment for cash/credit card on internet or wherever. Pay someone
to install it or do it yourself - no contracts.

There are companies which will do monitoring for very little and have fairly
simple contracts. The following company looks good to me, but might want to
look at others as well.

Anyway be in the position where *you* own your equipment and you decide
where it will be monitored. If not happy with your monitoring, you may be
locked in for a year, and may be required to give them notice in writing
that you want to cancel, but at least you will be able to switch.

Also alarm systems can be "locked out" by the monitoring company. Get it in
writing that they will not lock out your alarm system and that should you
cancel, they will return control of the alarm system to you.

So far as interrior motion detectors, get a "dual" type which is IR and
microwave. The are not likely to have false alarms. And wireless systems use
batteries which cost a fortune. I have my system "hard wired" and don't need
to buy any batteries.

Ask questions here about specific door contacts, smoke detectors, motion
sensors, best monitoring companies, etc. and you should get good answers.

One monitoring company...
http://www.alarmrelay.com
 
R

R.H.Campbell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sir, your post is full of half truths, misconceptions and plain outright
incorrect facts. See below
...........................................................................................................................................................

Bill said:
Beware! Some alarm companies can be bigger "crooks" than the crooks you
are trying to protect yourself from.

RHC: Some may be just as in every other industry; however, the vast majority
are NOT, and are simply trying to provide good honest service to their
clients. Your generalized smear of the industry is not warranted in any way,
shape of form.
They will lock you into monitoring contracts and control the electronic
equipment so that if you cancel their monitoring, your equipment will not
function.

RHC: They may well lock you into a contract of some duration. That is the
industry norm. It's also a fact that if you shop around, you may be able to
find companies that don't. However, cancellation of monitoring does not
affect the system in it's ability to work in "local" (non monitored mode).
Many if not most DIY'ers opt for no monitoring, or something they call "self
monitoring". IMO they are shortchanging themselves; however, the measure of
security they choose is their choice. But all alarms will work in local
mode.
Don't sign any contracts.

RHC: A long term contract may or may not be an option depending upon the
company you choose. However, no company will ever work without a contract
being signed whatever the term...monthly or long term. That would be
extremely foolish !
Buy your equipment for cash/credit card on internet or wherever. Pay
someone to install it or do it yourself - no contracts.

RHC: That is an option. However, it may be difficult to find a company that
wishes to install a non monitored account...for two reasons. Or if you do,
it will be at an expensive price. Monitoring is where the money is, and
second...non monitored accounts simply don't work very well. The party you
choose to do the installations may or may not do a good job. It has been my
experience that the contractors that do this casually for clients generally
don't have the experience level to do what most would consider a
professional quality installation. That usually translates into the systems
ability to do it's job with no false alarm problems !
There are companies which will do monitoring for very little and have
fairly simple contracts. The following company looks good to me, but might
want to look at others as well.

RHC: Provided you choose a ULC rated company, you can get raw monitoring for
$10 a month. What you give up is the warranty and service of a dealer for
the extra dollars a month. At that point, it becomes a crapshoot ! You're
betting you never need the services of a dealer, because if you do, it's
going to be a subcontractor, and his prices for the simplest service will
quickly eat up any perceived gain from the lower rate ! But like everything
in life, it's the consumers choice. But my personal opinion, is it's a poor
bet for the consumer !!
Anyway be in the position where *you* own your equipment and you decide
where it will be monitored. If not happy with your monitoring, you may be
locked in for a year, and may be required to give them notice in writing
that you want to cancel, but at least you will be able to switch.

RHC: That's the first thing you've said that makes sense !!! Freedom to move
comes with the shortest contract but in turn will be the hardest to find !
Long term contracts build a measure of equity in their companies, so most
choose to sell that way. It's purely business; NOT a scam as you seem to be
suggesting !
Also alarm systems can be "locked out" by the monitoring company. Get it
in writing that they will not lock out your alarm system and that should
you cancel, they will return control of the alarm system to you.

RHC: Your terminology of "locked out" is confusing. Every company changes
the installer code while they are responsible for your system, and that is
as it should be. Any other company coming in simply has to default the board
back to factory specs, and reprogram. It's no big deal, and wise to do
anyway, to eliminate undefined signals going to the Central Station !!
However, if the board has the hardware lockout activated as well, this
cannot be done. If the equipment belongs to the client, and there is nothing
owing in the way of revenues to the company, it is not legitimate for ANY
reason. If it is locked, and the company refuses to unlock it, it amounts to
theft, pure and simple.
So far as interrior motion detectors, get a "dual" type which is IR and
microwave. The are not likely to have false alarms. And wireless systems
use batteries which cost a fortune. I have my system "hard wired" and
don't need to buy any batteries.

RHC: Wireless systems today are very good; however, they do require more
service due to batteries. A hard wired system overall usually gives you more
reliable service over the long term.
Ask questions here about specific door contacts, smoke detectors, motion
sensors, best monitoring companies, etc. and you should get good answers.

RHC: Yes, you will get good answers here provided you don't come in with
preconceived and incorrect ideas as you have stated in this post. Try coming
in with an open mind; ask valid questions that don't piss people off at the
beginning, and you will generally get good advice from professionals in the
business. Continue to "diss" our industry and you will get what you
deserve...
One monitoring company...
http://www.alarmrelay.com

RHC: Another good "direct to end user" ULC rated company in Canada is
www.themonitoringcentre.ca. But know beforehand, you will be charged for the
setup, and one full year in advance. Service will be by subcontractor who
has no vested interest in your system, and can be expensive. Your choice !!

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com



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J

Jim

Jan 1, 1970
0
R.H.Campbell said:
Sir, your post is full of half truths, misconceptions and plain outright
incorrect facts. See below

Robert, this is a really great post.

I'm sure you'd get thanks from everyone.
 
M

mikey

Jan 1, 1970
0
Bill said:
Beware! Some alarm companies can be bigger "crooks" than the crooks you are
trying to protect yourself from.

They will lock you into monitoring contracts and control the electronic
equipment so that if you cancel their monitoring, your equipment will not
function.

Don't sign any contracts.

Settle down, Beevis. You have some valid points here but there isn't a
dealer in town who'll monitor your alarm without some sort of contract. Ask
for a month-to-month one but expect to pay a little more.
 
M

mikey

Jan 1, 1970
0
See Bob, I told youse Jim was alright. He's just blunt. I like blunt.
 
R

R.H.Campbell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Blunt is one thing; grossly ignorant is quite another. Irrespective of our
business differences, I don't like people like that !

The world is too damn full of them....

RHC

mikey said:
See Bob, I told youse Jim was alright. He's just blunt. I like blunt.



I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
 
M

mikey

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm disappointed in your response here, my friend. Whether you "like" him or
not, he is
unbiased in his opinions of your posts and responded in kind (unlike most of
the mudslingers here). I think you missed that.
 
R

R.H.Campbell

Jan 1, 1970
0
No Mikey, I think you missed MY point ! I don't have to approve of someone
who fills the newsgroup with vile garbage; someone who would tell someone to
"F off" on Xmas eve; someone who feels he has to be the newsgroup
"enforcer". That kind of thing belongs in a bar, not on a newsgroup that is
supposed to be representative of our industry. While I might respect him as
a peer in the industry, and his knowledge vis a vis installation practices,
that is not sufficient in my view to justify his crap !! While I nor anyone
can do a thing about it, I certainly don't have to approve !

It has nothing to do with his responses to my post, or the fact that we
disagree on certain things. It has everything to do with his lack of civil
behaviour. Nor do I give a damn what he thinks of what I think in this
regard...

Nuff said....

RHC
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
Sir, your post is full of half truths...

Bob,

Look at the headers. It's "Paul".
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
Blunt is one thing; grossly ignorant is quite another. Irrespective of our
business differences, I don't like people like that !

I don't mind him being blunt (as opposed to sharp). Even his gross
ignorance isn't an issue. It's his vicious, hateful deportment that I find
offensive. The only difference between him and Olson is he swears more
(which makes it easier for normal people to see him for what he is).
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm disappointed in your response here, my friend...

Shocking!
Whether you "like" him or not, he is unbiased in his opinions of your
posts and responded in kind (unlike most of the mudslingers here). I think
you missed that.

Being among the worst of the mudslingers, what gives you the right to
complain.
 
A

alarman

Jan 1, 1970
0
R.H.Campbell said:
No Mikey, I think you missed MY point ! I don't have to approve of someone
who fills the newsgroup with vile garbage; someone who would tell someone to
"F off" on Xmas eve; someone who feels he has to be the newsgroup
"enforcer". That kind of thing belongs in a bar, not on a newsgroup that is
supposed to be representative of our industry. While I might respect him as
a peer in the industry, and his knowledge vis a vis installation practices,
that is not sufficient in my view to justify his crap !! While I nor anyone
can do a thing about it, I certainly don't have to approve !

It has nothing to do with his responses to my post, or the fact that we
disagree on certain things. It has everything to do with his lack of civil
behaviour. Nor do I give a damn what he thinks of what I think in this
regard...

What he said.
js
 
F

Frank Olson

Jan 1, 1970
0
Robert said:
I don't mind him being blunt (as opposed to sharp). Even his gross
ignorance isn't an issue. It's his vicious, hateful deportment that I find
offensive. The only difference between him and Olson is he swears more
(which makes it easier for normal people to see him for what he is).


And the difference between you and me, Robert, is that I won't smear
anyone with innuendo, misleading statements, and/or outright lies.
 
J

Jim

Jan 1, 1970
0
R.H.Campbell said:
Blunt is one thing; grossly ignorant is quite another. Irrespective of our
business differences, I don't like people like that !

Niether do I.

But when I meet one, the only way to get their attention is
to get right on down to their level.

Peeeeek a booooo!

I seeeee youuuuuu! :)

The world is too damn full of them....

On the other hand, you might consider that after paying you
a compliment, you call me ignorant.

Well then ........... In this case .......... I guess you're right.
 
R

R.H.Campbell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Zebras can't change their stripes either; you can't help it........

RHC

Jim said:
Niether do I.

But when I meet one, the only way to get their attention is
to get right on down to their level.

Peeeeek a booooo!

I seeeee youuuuuu! :)



On the other hand, you might consider that after paying you
a compliment, you call me ignorant.

Well then ........... In this case .......... I guess you're right.


I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html
 
J

Jim

Jan 1, 1970
0
R.H.Campbell said:
No Mikey, I think you missed MY point ! I don't have to approve of someone
who fills the newsgroup with vile garbage; someone who would tell someone to
"F off" on Xmas eve; someone who feels he has to be the newsgroup
"enforcer". That kind of thing belongs in a bar, not on a newsgroup that is
supposed to be representative of our industry.

And I suppose YOU think that YOU represent """ OUR """" industry?
Suuuuurrrre you do. You do everything bass ackwards and call other
dealers crooks and you have the nerve to consider yourself in OUR
industry? Yeh surrrre!

While I might respect him as
a peer in the industry, and his knowledge vis a vis installation practices,

Unfortunately the respect in this regard is not mutual.

Uhhhh still using
those pushbuttons on doors that the manufacturers don't recommend?
Have you ever installed a panel with more than 8 zones? Take a second
and tell us all you've learned about this industry in the ..... what
.....5
years you've been stealing accounts by enticing ADT clients by offering
them no contracts and free service because you couldn't sell yourself
out of a paper bag? Yet constantly complaining about the companies
who offer free alarms. Can you spell duplisious errrr dupltus errrr
dup......... nah ..... I guess you can't.

How many accounts did you predict you'd wind up with and what did I
tell you would happen? Did I tell you that in 5 to 7 or 8 years
service
would be a problem?
And what's happening now did you say ? HMMMMMMM? Didn't
you say that service was getting a little much? Sure you did ....
Admit it now ..... or I'll bet I could dig up that post where you said
it
Thought that got by me did you? I'm just sitin here waitin for it all
to
happen.
Come on Robert ....... tell us how much you know.
Oppps
your second is up. ZEEEEEEERO!
that is not sufficient in my view to justify his crap !! While I nor anyone
can do a thing about it, I certainly don't have to approve !


And guess who'll be there to disapprove of YOU ....... :)
Actually if you'll remember that famous saying,
" You don't have any say over what anyone does here.
If you don't like it you can leave."

However, you can be just like me and not like it, stay here and
say what I think ......... whether you acknowledge it, like it, read it
........... or not.
The important thing is, anyone you spout off to with your
silly crap WILL see it and I can post to you any damn time
I want to. You wan't to play silly games ? I can even do
that better than you.
It has nothing to do with his responses to my post, or the fact that we
disagree on certain things. It has everything to do with his lack of civil
behaviour. Nor do I give a damn what he thinks of what I think in this
regard...

Nuff said....

RHC


Nah Robert.

You know better than that.

You know that no matter what, ..........

No matter how you respond

No matter what you think or do

YOU know that what you are doing in this group with regard to term
contracts is wrong. If you persist, I will contradict you and oppose
you
each and every time. If you get snotty, I will get snottyer. I will get

down to your level each and every time. I can out talk you, out smart
you, out think you at each and every turn and you know it. And there's
not a damn thing you can do about it. Live with it. Take it to what
ever
level you choose I'll be there.

Oh and since it's exactly what you don't like ......just for the record

**** off!

See how that works?
 
J

Jim

Jan 1, 1970
0
R.H.Campbell said:
Zebras can't change their stripes either; you can't help it........


It's not about stripes Robert.

It's about right and wrong and mutual respect.

Do the right thing.

And all is well.

Toodles! :)
 
R

Robert L Bass

Jan 1, 1970
0
Zebras can't change their stripes either; you can't help it........

Bob,

Why do you bother? No one capable of thought respects him or gives the
slightest credence to anything he says.
 
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