Disconnect phone from ADT system
scotth...@attbi.com
the beeping warning about no phone connection?
Frank Olson
you think that disconnecting it this way will make it work as a local
system, you are partially right. It will continue to attempt to dial
out though and go into trouble when it can't. If you wish to "cancel"
your monitoring service there is "right" way to do it. Disconnecting
the system from the phone line is the "wrong" way.
scotth...@attbi.com
ADT is giving me the run around saying it's not their responsibility.
They want to charge me $95 for a service guy to come out and do it.
Nunya Bizness
From: scotth...@attbi.com
Date: 9/10/02 11:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: <3d7e12c1...@netnews.attbi.com>
>The contract is up and I want to disconnect the phone from the system.
ADT is giving me the run around saying it's not their responsibility.<
It's not their responsibility to service ANYONE but their own clients.
>They want to charge me $95 for a service guy to come out and do it.<
Should they do it for free? You're not a client, and the person they send to do
the work is entitled to a paycheck. Either pay the $95, or return the system to
ADT, as it is their equipment anyway.
Frank Olson
you should be able to request they disconnect you without having to
incur a service charge. In most instances they can disable
communications and default the installer code over the phone (their
computer can download the panel). It doesn't require the attendance of
a technician. They may require a letter from you advising them of your
decision to discontinue their service. Have you sent them one?
Frank Olson
http://www.alt-security-alarms.com
Please visit the unofficial web site for FAQ's and participant information.
Free listings for qualified trade professionals & suppliers.
Frank Olson
Frank
scotth...@attbi.com
continue with the service. I have sent both written and verbal
notice. I have been told to either pay the $95 or power off the
system. I would still like to use the system, just not have it
monitored.
The reason why this is so important is that my house has been struck
by lightning twice in the last year and both times it fried the board.
All I want to do is disconnect the phone line without receiving the
trouble notification. It seems to me that this would be a simple
programming thing. Anybody got any ideas?
On Tue, 10 Sep 2002 15:49:37 GMT, Frank Olson
Robert L. Bass
can't send signals to them if you give them proper notice of cancellation.
Many (most?) of these so-called ADT "authorized dealers" refuse to ever give
you the programming code, even after canceling and paying in full. Some
dealers have been known to lock customers out of using their own systems.
"Frank Olson" <fe...@alt-security-alarms.con> wrote:
> I'm not sure which system you have, but if the contract has expired then
> you should be able to request they disconnect you without having to
> incur a service charge. In most instances they can disable
> communications and default the installer code over the phone (their
> computer can download the panel). It doesn't require the attendance of
> a technician. They may require a letter from you advising them of your
> decision to discontinue their service. Have you sent them one?
>
>
Lue Lucasi, Underworld Boss
>The contract is up and I want to disconnect the phone from the system.
>ADT is giving me the run around saying it's not their responsibility.
>They want to charge me $95 for a service guy to come out and do it.
Call your local alarm installer, he will take care of it for about
$50.00, maybe less if he's in a good mood. Or contact the Bassman.
He will sell you what you need at 35% above dealer cost and throw in a
cheeseburger if your in the Sarasota area.
---Lou
Frank Olson
You may have to "burn" (that's figuratively) the phone lines between you
and ADT corporate. I believe someone with your similar problem posted
in here a few weeks ago, and was able to get the situation
satisfactorily resolved once he contacted head office and spoke to
someone there. You shouldn't have to pay to get your system
disconnected. Monitoring stations don't like to receive "extra" signals
from customers that no longer want a response.
I don't know what it is about ADT in the States. In BC, they're the
nicest bunch of guys and very reasonable to deal with.
Frank
Robert Skinner
installed belong to the customer.
This is another example of ADT's less than great customer service. I would
go out there and perform the reset at no charge to discover "a) Why is he
cancelling? b)is there a way to change his mind b) have the customer leave
with a positive experience so that maybe in the future they or one of the
hundreds of people they talk to will become a customer once again.
Customer are wonderful things to get, take hard work to keep and are
incredibly easy to lose.
"Nunya Bizness" <tjf...@aol.comnocrap> wrote in message
news:20020910114744...@mb-mr.aol.com...
Robert Skinner
would jeopardise the security of other peoples security systems.
<scotth...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3d7e18d1...@netnews.attbi.com...
Robert L. Bass
You are being subjected to a classic alarm company rip-off. This is one of
the more common ways some (not all) alarm companies abuse clients. The
alarm can be reprogrammed remotely by the alarm company using a modem.
There is no excuse for demanding to come out or charging a $95 fee. The
procedure is normally performed by an office clerk -- not a technician. It
takes only a few minutes. Any nonsense the alarm company tells you about
"paperwork" expense is just that -- nonsense.
Read your purchase and monitoring contract(s). If the agreement says it's a
purchase, the equipment is yours. You should be provided with the
"programming access code" upon termination of monitoring. Without that code
you will be unable to make changes to the system in the future and you might
not be able to hire another monitoring company should you later decide to do
so.
If the alarm company persists in this rip-off, don't pay them. Contact ALL
of the following:
Department of consumer protection
Contractor licensing authourity (may be part of consumer protection)
Your local newspaper's consumer editor
Nearby city newspaper consumer editors
Local TV news consumer editor
Better Business Bureau
What you want to do it twofold, get them to do the right thing and let
others know what they do.
BTW, you can gauge the kind of people that are in the trade by the reactions
to this message which are sure to follow.
<scotth...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3d7e18d1...@netnews.attbi.com...
Robert L. Bass
tilapia filets. They were marvelous with New York potato salad, slaw and a
little chardonnay. If I ever decided to quit the alarm trade I'd open a
restaurant. :)
Regards,
Robert L Bass
=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
The Online DIY Alarm Store
http://www.Bass-Home.com
2291 Pine View Circle
Sarasota, FL 34231
877-722-8900 Sales & Tech Support
941-925-9747 Fax
rober...@comcast.net
=============================>
"Lue Lucasi, Underworld Boss" <Luck...@happytohelp.com> wrote in message
news:p0bsnu4upbabotm4r...@4ax.com...
Jake
No one works for free.
He is not their customer any longer.
"Frank Olson" <feo...@alt-security-alarms.com> wrote in message
news:3D7E13A5...@alt-security-alarms.com...
AlarmReview
>I'm a client with my contract ending and I
>do not want to continue with the service.
If you are a current customer, ADT WILL come out and disable the system (power
down) including removing it from the phone system and they WILL make it local.
That has always been their policy and I've not known it to change. The catch
is, local alarm programming is considered "customer discretionary service," not
covered by any service agreement. They will charge you just like any other
service call. Charging you to make it a local system is a reasonable
chargeable service call. However, (AND EVERYONE TAKE NOTES) if you simply had
called to terminate service (no mention of using as local) they would either
schedule a tech to power down or remotely downloaded the panel to be disables.
Either way they would not have charged you. All you would end up with is a
"dead" panel.
Remember, the method of terminating the account is theirs, not yours.
>I have been told to either pay the $95 or
>power off the system.
If there was any mention that you wanted them to program it as local, that's
their out to charge you for the service call.
>I would still like to use the system, just
>not have it monitored.
You can call any number of companies in your area and see what they charge to
make the alarm local. They will, just like ADT, charge you for the service
call.
The problem seems to be in how consumers approach the end-of-contract request
to terminate. Any mention of a local alarms tells the company you're not
likely to be saved and they will charge.
FYI #1: Many ADT systems sold by their corp branch within the last 2 years
could be owned systems. Different regions were allowed to exercise this
strategy to remain competitive. In addition, almost all dealer systems are
owned systems. The days of ADT panels being leased is fading into the sunset.
FYI# 2: NO company is REQUIRED to perform non warranty service without
charging. The key is accepting the no-charge warranty service and not cross
that very thin line, like mentioning you want them to make it a local alarm.
FYI# 3: Even if you own your system, there is no LEGAL or ETHICAL requirement
that the alarm company perform any service, including making it local, at the
end of the contract. All they must do is ensure that the system is not locked
out to prevent anyone else from using it. Nor should they charge you to
"disable" (power down, and/or erase all programming) the system. But they are
not obligated to give you anything else. Just like if you leased (monitoring
agreement) a car and decided to own it at the end of the lease (end of
contract), the dealer is not required to give you a shop (programming) manual
or the users (installation) guide.
Rob-
Security Review Group
"Helping you secure your security"
(480) 329-6920
Security Review Group provides independent security consulting, and is not
affiliated with any selling, installing, monitoring or servicing company.
Nunya Bizness
let people hop on your back, and give them a ride down the trails, JACKASS.
Subject: Re: Disconnect phone from ADT system
From: "Robert L. Bass" rober...@comcast.net
Date: 9/10/02 2:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: <GHqf9.301866$On.12...@bin3.nnrp.aus1.giganews.com>
Nunya Bizness
Date: 9/10/02 12:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: <i%of9.2092$RG2.7...@news20.bellglobal.com>
>Why do you conclude that the equipment belongs to ADT? The over 300 that I
installed belong to the customer.<
See what happens when I assume?
>This is another example of ADT's less than great customer service. I would
go out there and perform the reset at no charge to discover "a) Why is he
cancelling? b)is there a way to change his mind b) have the customer leave
with a positive experience so that maybe in the future they or one of the
hundreds of people they talk to will become a customer once again.<
You're a swell fella : )
>Customer are wonderful things to get, take hard work to keep and are
incredibly easy to lose.<
Very true.
m..leuck
"AlarmReview" <alarm...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020910205603...@mb-mo.aol.com...
> >From: scotth...@attbi.com
>
> >I'm a client with my contract ending and I
> >do not want to continue with the service.
>
> If you are a current customer, ADT WILL come out and disable the system
(power
> down) including removing it from the phone system and they WILL make it
local.
> That has always been their policy and I've not known it to change.
Umm no in my experience
Roger W.
>Date: 9/10/02 10:22 PM Eastern Daylight Time
>Message-id: <20020910222205...@mb-mb.aol.com>
>
>And if your restaurant venture fails you can always move to the Grand Canyon,
>let people hop on your back, and give them a ride down the trails, JACKASS.
>
I could just see bass pulling a rickshaw. Maybe he has a Chinese ancestor too
somewhere. :-)
J. Stevens
js
Robert L. Bass
better policies than the so-called "authorized dealers."
"m..leuck" <m.l....@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:E%xf9.261668$_91.2...@rwcrnsc51.ops.asp.att.net...
AlarmReview
>Umm no in my experience
The standard script is if a customer calls and request termination of service
they arrange for the system to be powered down by a tech or they kill the panel
via downloading. No charge.
What causes a problem is the consumer may not give them enough time to schedule
a tech. Consumers generally call when the moving van is already loaded and the
kids are waiting in the car.
Or, they call and want the system turned local. Well, the service call to
disable the system is free, the service to make local cost.
It's true that ADT's service scheduling can be a problem, but reality is
disabling and making local are two different things.
AlarmReview
>I wonder if he's talking about ADT
>Corporate. They seem to have somewhat
>better policies than the so-called
>"authorized dealers."
I was talking about Corp. After three years Corp has control.
Robert L. Bass
"AlarmReview" <alarm...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020911005240...@mb-fg.aol.com...
Nomen Nescio
>The contract is up and I want to disconnect the phone from the system.
>ADT is giving me the run around saying it's not their responsibility.
>They want to charge me $95 for a service guy to come out and do it.
This seems pretty straightforward. Assuming that you do indeed own the
equipment, and that you have completed your monitoring contract as agreed,
just send ADT a certified letter telling them you are cancelling your
monitoring service as of such and such date, and that ADT is to ignore any
signals received after that date, since you are going to leave the system
connected to the phone line and they may receive signals occasionally.
Then leave your alarm connected to the phone line.
Costs you nothing. Keeps your panel happy. You don't have to pay to
cancel your service, but ADT doesn't have to reprogram your panel for free
if they don't want to. If they would prefer to receive alarm signals from
your home from time to time, that is their choice.
- badenov
Tristar Security
Why don't you check to see if the panel is locked out, if it isn't
default it. I am sure someone here could program it via pc. Hell, call me
and I will walk you through programming ove the phone on about 45 seconds.
No $95.00 NO stress
Peter
--
Tri-Star Security Inc.
Free Residential & Commercial alarm systems
Ph 604-858-7181
Fax 604-858-7183
e-mail tri...@shaw.ca
<scotth...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3d7e0335...@netnews.attbi.com...
Nunya Bizness
Date: 9/10/02 10:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id: <20020910225900...@mb-dh.aol.com>
Hee Du Wang
Jim Rojas
wonder sometimes who is really posting these messages...
Jim Rojas
"Tristar Security" <tri...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:zEIf9.292866$v53.15...@news3.calgary.shaw.ca...
Frank Olson
or "Thank you BHE for fixing my panel" post soon?...
Frank
Robert L. Bass
m..leuck
answer if it doesn't happen in an hour or so. Heck I do it myself in other
newsgroups
"Frank Olson" <feo...@alt-security-alarms.com> wrote in message
news:3D7F7578...@alt-security-alarms.com...
Jake
> I doubt it, many people float questions and never stick around to hear the
> answer if it doesn't happen in an hour or so. Heck I do it myself in other
> newsgroups
wrong places.
:-)
Alarminex
Security" <tri...@shaw.ca> writes:
>Subject: Re: Disconnect phone from ADT system
>From: "Tristar Security" <tri...@shaw.ca>
>Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 14:43:43 GMT
>
>
> Why don't you check to see if the panel is locked out, if it isn't
>default it. I am sure someone here could program it via pc. Hell, call me
>and I will walk you through programming ove the phone on about 45 seconds.
>No $95.00 NO stress
>
>
> Peter
>
>
Hi Peter,
Did you check to find out if this person that you are going to "walk through
the programming" is really the homeowner or not? Do you really know if he has
satisfied his contract? Do you know if he owes a years worth of monitoring fees
to his alarm company?
If not .... then ..........why would you be so anxious to help him get into
the programing?
>
>
Jim
Remove the Qzapp to email
After you reach a certain age,
there's nothing left to learn the hard way.
scotth...@attbi.com
the master code to the system so I can program it, but don't know the
right key sequence.
Jim-I will contact offline if the offer is still open.
On Wed, 11 Sep 2002 16:42:40 GMT, "Jim Rojas" <jro...@tech-man.com>
wrote:
Jim Rojas
Jim Rojas
<scotth...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:3d7ff2d1...@netnews.attbi.com...
AlarmReview
>This seems pretty straightforward.
It does with the stipulation that the poster mentioned at one point about
making it a local alarm. We never did find out if he asked for them to make it
local before they quoted the service fee.
>and that ADT is to ignore any signals
>received after that date,
For liability reasons, they wouldn't just ignore the signals until they speak
personally with the use. The user is contractually required (even at the end
of contract) to provide ADT with access to disable the system otherwise they
are authorizing the continuance of monitoring until the panel is disables.
>If they would prefer to receive alarm
>signals from your home from time to
>time, that is their choice.
Once again, ADT will disable a system for no charge providing that's all they
are being asked to do. If the consumer mentions any other service, they will
charge.
AlarmReview
>I tried with ADT one more time with no
>dice.
Did you request that they diasble the system or requested they make it local?
Tristar Security
just another customer getting screwed by a large company. Can you honestly
tell me that you haven't heard this same story a hundred times. As far as
being anxious to help, yah that's what were here for isn't it. You can't
possibly check-out everyone that comes here.
Peter
"Alarminex" <alar...@aol.comQzapp> wrote in message
news:20020911205618...@mb-cu.aol.com...
Nomen Nescio
>>and that ADT is to ignore any signals
>>received after that date,
>
>For liability reasons, they wouldn't just ignore the signals until they speak
>personally with the use.
You may have noticed I said the customer should send a certified letter.
That's even better than "speaking personally with the user." Which is why
the contract calls for "written" notice.
>The user is contractually required (even at the end
>of contract) to provide ADT with access to disable the system otherwise they
>are authorizing the continuance of monitoring until the panel is disables.
Not according to the ADT residential contract shown at ADT's web site.
If it's a customer-owned system, ADT doesn't have the right to disable the
system completely. But, ADT has no obligation to provide monitoring after
the monitoring contract terminates, especially since they aren't going to
be getting paid. On the other hand, ADT doesn't have to reprogram systems
for free if it doesn't want to.
The only way I see to resolve that conflict is this. ADT can do nothing at
all after the contract is over--just delete the customer from the computer,
and put up with an occasional signal from an unknown account. Or, if ADT
doesn't want those unwanted signals, they can reprogram the system as a
local--at ADT's expense, since the reprogramming is for ADT's convenience.
But they can't make the customer's property unusable because it's
convenient for ADT.
- badenov
Alarminex
Security" <tri...@shaw.ca> writes:
>Subject: Re: Disconnect phone from ADT system
>From: "Tristar Security" <tri...@shaw.ca>
>Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 04:01:06 GMT
>
> I didn't check to see if all you said was done. I assumed that he was
>just another customer getting screwed by a large company. Can you honestly
>tell me that you haven't heard this same story a hundred times.
Probably more than that.
> As far as
>being anxious to help, yah that's what were here for isn't it.
Yep and we all try as much as we can.
> You can't
>possibly check-out everyone that comes here.
>
That's exactly ....... right.
And that's exactly why we can't help just everyone in the way they would like
to be helped. There's nothing that anyone can do to "prove" anything, here in
Usenet. If you'd really like to help someone in this postition, I'd think you'd
have to contact them via telephone, get them to send you a copy of their
contract and /or contact the alarm company, to see if they're paid up and then,
IF you had the codes, you could help him. If you assist him in breaking a
contract or interfere with his system while he owes his alarm company back
payment, that may already be in litigation, you could wind up being named as as
party to a law suit as interfering with his contract.
Do what you want but just be careful.
AlarmReview
>hat's even better than "speaking
>personally with the user." Which is why
>the contract calls for "written" notice.
True, but if a signal is received, there's an issue of do they ignore the
signal? This all depends on how contractual responsibility is interpreted if a
signal is received after a cancellation. It's never been clear or interpreted
the same way in courts. Some say that if your system transmits a signal,
you're obligated to pay for the service. Other courts have said that if the
alarmco failed to make arrangements to disable the communicator, you're off the
hook. While others have gone on to say that if you refuse service to
disconnect (including disabling) you renewed your contract. It's never been
tested completely in courts and often the courts look to see how other
governmental agencies handle this.
>Not according to the ADT residential
>contract shown at ADT's web site.
Actually, it is written in the contract but is still based on their "lease"
systems. You will note that it expressly requires the "customer owned" box to
be checked. So they can enforce the "provide access" provision if it's a
leased system.
>If it's a customer-owned system, ADT
>doesn't have the right to disable the
>system completely. But, ADT has no
>obligation to provide monitoring after
>>the monitoring contract terminates,
>especially since they aren't going to
>be getting paid.
I guess this is the sticking point. I sorta side with those that feel the
monitoring center has a right to disable the ability for the panel to send a
signal.
>On the other hand, ADT doesn't have to
>reprogram systems for free if it doesn't
>want to.
I Agree
>The only way I see to resolve that conflict
>is this. ADT can do nothing at all after
>the contract is over--just delete the
>customer from the computer, and put up
>with an occasional signal from an
>unknown account.
Or ADT could simple say to the customer, "we understand. To ensure your
systems account is properly deleted from our system, can you send a test signal
in one hour. One hour later, their computer captures the panel, and downloads
an erasing of the account and receiver number. That would be a more
professional way of handling the situation.
> Or, if ADT doesn't want those unwanted
>signals, they can reprogram the system
>as a local--at ADT's expense, since the
>reprogramming is for ADT's convenience.
They issue I've seen still revolves around the customer giving ADT access to
their system. Many just ignore any request. And it probably would be simplest
if they just came in and make it local by deleting the receiver and account
number, but I wouldn't expect them to do anything else including any other
reprogramming.
>But they can't make the customer's
>property unusable because it's convenient
>for ADT.
Making a panel dead is not considered making it unusable providing the system
can be reprogramed by others. Unlike Brink's systems where few if anyone could
reprogram it, if there is fair competition for the customer to obtain
programing assistance, that's O.K. by me.