As someone who's never had a home security system, I have been trying to
find information, but the ADT website has less information than you'd think.
I would like to keep the system if the monitoring costs are affordable, and
I have a couple of questions. Hopefully you gurus can assist:
Would I only need to pay the monitoring costs for a home that is pre-wired
with ADT?
Are there measures I need to take to ensure that the system was not somehow
compromised before I move in?
Are there tests that I can perform to ensure that it is working properly?
How can I determine the amount of devices in the house- does this show on
the Control Panel, or do I need to manually count all of the mounted
devices?
How is the monthly cost determined by ADT- is this measured by the amount of
devices in the house?
I've read that the system is never fully "owned" by the owner. If so, will
ADT come and remove the devices if I do not pay the monitoring fee?
Is it possible to have a company other than ADT provide the monitoring
service (using this same equipment)?. In other words, is the equipment
generic enough to be reconfigured for another service?
"ElGordo" <na...@nothanks.net> wrote in message news:N9adnceNMoZ...@rcn.net...
> I recently purchased a house which is pre-wired with ADT by the previous
> owner.
>
> As someone who's never had a home security system, I have been trying to
> find information, but the ADT website has less information than you'd think.
> I would like to keep the system if the monitoring costs are affordable, and
> I have a couple of questions. Hopefully you gurus can assist:
>
>
> Would I only need to pay the monitoring costs for a home that is pre-wired
> with ADT?
If it is only prewired you will need to buy and have them install a system. Prices vary. BUT...anyone can install on someone else's prewire. I do it all the time and I also will warranty the wiring, after it is checked out.
>
> Are there measures I need to take to ensure that the system was not somehow
> compromised before I move in?
Not really unless your home is currently under-construction and you can physically inspect the wiring.
>
> Are there tests that I can perform to ensure that it is working properly?
You can test each wiring for opens/shorts/shorts to ground with a meter if you have one. But this is generally the responsibility of the installing company to make sure your wiring is good before/during installation. If there is a major problem you can go back on the builder...personally...when I install on a prewire-by-others I take full responsibility for the wire and will fix (at no charge) to the buyer any problems.
>
> How can I determine the amount of devices in the house- does this show on
> the Control Panel, or do I need to manually count all of the mounted
> devices?
Only if you have a system already installed. Not really sure what you mean here, as you've stated above the house is only prewired. If the walls are still opened you can check for locations of buried motion detectors, keypads, glassbreaks, etc.
>
> How is the monthly cost determined by ADT- is this measured by the amount of
> devices in the house?
With ADT?...can't tell you exactly except that it involves your credit rating...maybe. Most companies monitoring rate, especially for residences, is a flat rate...with maybe tiers of extras...extras would be opening/closings, alarmco response, etc. I like flat rate, makes billing easier.
My flat rate basic residential includes: alarms, restorals, troubles, panic, hold-up, restricted openings, DAILY test signals.
ADT will charge you extra for DAILY tests otherwise they'd go out of business with a million alarms testing daily on 800 lines.
>
> I've read that the system is never fully "owned" by the owner. If so, will
> ADT come and remove the devices if I do not pay the monitoring fee?
Depends on which particular contract you sign. I have one that says you own everything after the initial term of the contract (this one says 5 years), but on the back it says that the alarm panel itself is always the property of ADT.
>
> Is it possible to have a company other than ADT provide the monitoring
> service (using this same equipment)?. In other words, is the equipment
> generic enough to be reconfigured for another service?
YES. However this question is confusing because you stated above that its only a prewire. Most of ADT equipment is "take-over-able"...especially if they haven't fired it up yet. MOST not all.
Think about...do you want to be ONE of a MILLION clients, or ONE of a few thousand or hundred. Ask around, ask your friends, see who they are using and if they're happy.
If you want personalized service you may want to go with a smaller company...the monthly fees are generally about the same or LESS.
>
>
>
>
>
RHC: Not much you can do there. Hopefully the board is not locked, and can
be defaulted back to factory for the reprogramming necessary for the next
company. At least locally, and to their credit, ADT never lock customer
fully owned and paid for boards.This seems to remain the unethical domain of
small, local alarmcos. If you use ADT, there will be no problem, since they
have the codes necessary to enter. If you deal with a reputable local
contractor, he probably knows their installer codes anyway. So either way,
you'll probably be all right here
>
> Are there tests that I can perform to ensure that it is working properly?
RHC: Most alarm panels are set to 'auto test' weekly or daily. Other than
that, you will know if something is not working because you will be unable
to close the zone (unable to get your "ready" light).
>
> How can I determine the amount of devices in the house- does this show on
> the Control Panel, or do I need to manually count all of the mounted
> devices?
RHC: This should be on your keypad but often isn't. It will likely be
written in some fashion inside the panel downstairs. If it isn't, it's easy
enough for your next company to tone it out.
>
> How is the monthly cost determined by ADT- is this measured by the amount
> of devices in the house?
RHC: Rates are determined by how much the market will bear. Often companies
will add extra monthly costs (for smokes etc) as a way of increasing that
all important monthly rate. Watch out for this one !
>
> I've read that the system is never fully "owned" by the owner. If so, will
> ADT come and remove the devices if I do not pay the monitoring fee?
RHC: In theory, yes. In practice, not always so. To spend a couple of
hundred dollars in labour to remove a panel and keypad worth $100, doesn't
make good business sense, unless they are trying to make a point. Also,
check your contract; it may only be a leased system and you don't own it. If
so, make absolutely sure your next company comes in to remove the panel and
keypad - don't let any previous company on site. When they come, simply hand
them the equipment in a box. (BTW, I have never had ADT pick up a leased
system after I removed it, but that may just be a local situation, I don't
know)
>
> Is it possible to have a company other than ADT provide the monitoring
> service (using this same equipment)?. In other words, is the equipment
> generic enough to be reconfigured for another service?
RHC: Yes...probably, although they have been known to use proprietary
equipment. Either way, replacing a panel and keypad will quickly be saved if
you deal with a company with much lower monitoring rates (and you're far
more likely to get better service, AND you'll likely get much better and
more personalized monitoring )
My personal dislike of this company (as well as most large alarm
conglomerates) is well known, so be sure to view my comments in that light.
But it comes from years of doing takeovers from this company after they have
let the client down. Plus, I hate to admit it, but I am a third party ADT
dealer (through buyouts), and I am working hard to get my clients off their
station and on to a better one. I've only got a few left to go after which I
hope I never have to deal with this company again.
Again, my bias is clearly showing, so take my comments in that light...
R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com
www.flickr.com/photos/tourman
For more information on how to shop and what to look for, may I suggest you
follow this link...
www3.sympatico.ca/rh.campbell/howto.htm
R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com
www.flickr.com/photos/tourman
"ElGordo" <na...@nothanks.org> wrote in message
news:J9WdnUQXme4...@rcn.net...
I spoke with the local dealer, and they quoted me the same price as ADT
estimated, $34.99 per month for burglary and fire. I asked specifically
about the cost per incident, and was told that there is no additional cost
aside from the monthly fee.
It was my understanding that, since the equipment is less than 2 months old,
I would need to continue the current monitoring contract. I will still call
around to get a second opinion on service options-
So if you own the system outright, you can now shop for much better pricing,
service and monitoring from any number of providers in your area. One way to
find smaller dealers is to walk around your area and look at the decals
placed on homes. Companies may not necessarily advertise in the Yellow
Pages; that is often not cost effective for smaller companies considering
the high cost of ads (overheads boost cost which boost your monthly rate
etc). I don't even bother to have a phone book listing; like most small
dealers, all my business comes through word of mouth referrals or off my
website.
If you decide to go with ADT or one of their dealers, make sure that
replacement backup batteries are covered. Assuming all else continues to
work well, you WILL need to replace that every three years, and many
companies do not cover "consumables" under warranty.
Good luck in your search
RHC
"ElGordo" <na...@nothanks.org> wrote in message
news:_MqdnZZl1MZ...@rcn.net...
This newsgroup has provided me with some very useful information.
Regards,
Chris
Open the alarm panel box and see what Brand & Model # it is. Like we've said before "most" ADT systems are take-over-able. If you post the brand/model # here we can tell you if it may be possible - IF the panel programming is not locked - and there is sometimes a way around that too.
"ElGordo" <na...@nothanks.org> wrote in message news:_MqdnZZl1MZ...@rcn.net...
I bet you can find a good locally owned company that will monitor for 24.00 p/m and even if you don't get ONE free battery every 3 years, the amount you'd save (120.00 per year) over the term of your contract would be more than enough to pay for a battery and a few service calls.
"ElGordo" <na...@nothanks.org> wrote in message news:_MqdnZZl1MZ...@rcn.net...
Raw monitoring only from a select few companies...usually for Do It
Yourselfers because service is spotty and expensive if it's even available
(or needed).....$9.99 monthly
Service from small companies, with varying degrees of service and warranty
built in....$15 to $20 monthly, term contracts from monthly only, up to
three years
Service from larger companies, with varying amounts of service and warranty
built in...$22 to $29 monthly, ALWAYS with a restrictive long term contract
built in
Service from ADT with varying amounts of service and warranty built
in....$30 and up with "sky's the limit"
RHC
"Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:Y_JSd.14$na2...@news.uswest.net...
9-12 bucks; down and dirty guys...no test, no restorals, some dont even describe the zone...just alarm, panic, low batt, ac fail...real basic.
18-24 small-medium companies...all signals...contracts
ADT here seems to be at 34.95 right now. Dunno about Brinks and the other guys though.
There's a couple of high end co/s here that are more money than I but offer less - weekly test instead of daily, $85.00 per hour service calls...that kinda thing.
My service rate is much less for monitored clients...but I do charge more for local service, so monitored clients get discounts on labor, parts, batteries and spiffs for referrals
"R.H.Campbell" <rh.ca...@homemetal.com> wrote in message news:kbSdnZZ8Aoy...@rogers.com...
RHC
"Crash GordonŽ" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:nZKSd.17$n35....@news.uswest.net...
18-24 small-medium companies...all signals...contracts
> "Crash GordonŽ" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
As far as new local installs...if they want to pay the price...I'll put it in. I did one last friday in fact. Apparently, no one else will around here either. Thing is, when questioned a lot of these people really want monitoring but not right now!...seriously, some are just afraid of their coming up with their monthly nut in a new house and they end up being monitored in a few months...or a year!...what do I care? I make money either way.
I still have a lot of prewired homes out there too :-)
"R.H.Campbell" <rh.ca...@homemetal.com> wrote in message news:7dednaXtOIx...@rogers.com...
> Interesting ! Virtually no local company around will have anything to do
> with non monitored systems, whether they originally installed them or
> otherwise. When I first began, I installed about 50 "local" systems but
> quickly learned the futility of that, both from a quality of protection
> perspective as well as an RMR perspective. I won't leave these guys in the
> lurch, but my service is fully chargeable. Other local systems installed by
> other companies, I (nor most other companies ) won't touch for any amount of
> money....
>
> RHC
>
>
> "Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
> > "Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
So? Why not do them, if you have a tech sitting around doing nothing...or I shedule them for when I have another job nearby.
"R.H.Campbell" <rh.ca...@homemetal.com> wrote in message news:7dednaXtOIx...@rogers.com...
> Interesting ! Virtually no local company around will have anything to do
> with non monitored systems, whether they originally installed them or
> otherwise. When I first began, I installed about 50 "local" systems but
> quickly learned the futility of that, both from a quality of protection
> perspective as well as an RMR perspective. I won't leave these guys in the
> lurch, but my service is fully chargeable. Other local systems installed by
> other companies, I (nor most other companies ) won't touch for any amount of
> money....
>
> RHC
>
>
> "Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
> > "Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
That's my story and I'm sticking to it....:)))
RHC
"Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:eiOSd.24$n35....@news.uswest.net...
I've only put one in in the past 6 months...because i know she's gonna eventually be monitored (former monitored client who cant afford mon. now).
But I can't abandon all those locals out there (from years ago) when they call...every call is an opportunity to sell them monitoring anyway.
"R.H.Campbell" <rh.ca...@homemetal.com> wrote in message news:Z8GdnfuAdPD...@rogers.com...
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That's a "getcha sued" statement
(whether or not it's true)
> I don't do them not because of the money angle, but because by putting
> in local systems, I really think all I'm doing is helping customers
> short change themselves. I don't charge much for monitoring, and I
> won't install without it. Also, I don't have time for toy alarms
> (definition...squawk in the box wireless systems,non monitored systems
> of any type). My business is professional security, and without
> monitoring, an alarm is virtually useless for anything other than
> making an annoying noise. Alarms are about response, not noise !!
> Frankly, I wouldn't care if they paid me double; I won't waste my
> time. Most other companies in our area wisely think the same way
> (although with many, it may be as much about the RMR as anything
> else....(pardon my cynicism....)
>
> That's my story and I'm sticking to it....:)))
>
> RHC
>
> "Crash GordonŽ" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
> news:eiOSd.24$n35....@news.uswest.net...
> By the way...locals don't get priority service either. They have to
> wait till I have time to do them, and I let them know that monitored
> clients come first....they seem fine with that!...hey it's a living!
>
>
>
>
So do you give them line protection on every install? if not they are no
better than having a local system!
"Aegis" <a...@a.com> wrote in message news:2FRSd.40102$wi2....@newssvr11.news.prodigy.com...
"Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:90SSd.66$z01....@news.uswest.net...
i is a poe white boy so dey got dem sum good luck ...
<ro...@aspbahamas.com> wrote in message
news:1109131256.8...@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
"any of the big boys will "probably" escalate your monthly fees on a yearly basis"
better huh? :-)
"Aegis" <a...@a.com> wrote in message news:NaTSd.56716$iC4....@newssvr30.news.prodigy.com...
"any of the big boys will "probably" escalate your monthly fees on a yearly
basis"
better huh? :-)
Much! :-P
:-)
"Aegis" <a...@a.com> wrote in message news:rW4Td.19106$D34....@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
cant tell ya how many times i've tried explain the real-deal to people - ive given up.
<ro...@aspbahamas.com> wrote in message news:1109211240.0...@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
RHC
"Crash GordonŽ" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:mkcTd.60$EL2....@news.uswest.net...
"R.H.Campbell" <rh.ca...@homemetal.com> wrote in message news:E4-dnZsSzoA...@rogers.com...
> Kinda reminds me of that old expression....a fool and his money are soon
> parted ! It's always amazing to see the differences between advertising on a
> given issue and the reality of the true situation. I guess you have to
> actually be in our business to appreciate the truth about certain
> things.....
>
> RHC
>
> "Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
the smoke detector went off, brinks called them and was like, you have
a smoke detector going off. Oh My Gawd yes, sais the client, we have a
smoke detector going off (all the time the siren has been screaming) ..
ok, ill call the fire dept, sais Brinks .. ok thanks sais the client
...
conclusion not on TV yet ...
meanwhile brinks just wasted the little valuable time the client needed
to get out of the home and to safety, and in doing so the client died
in the fire !! The client had a cell phone so they could have called
the fire dept themselves when they were outside and safe from hot
flaming ash!
Not dumb but ignorant, I don't think I'd ever seen or knew how a security
system worked before I went into the trade, and I'm still looking for that
ADT system that puts 1's and 0's all around the house.
Thats an absurd conclusion, are you suggesting Brinks dispatch the fire
department without making a call first? The customer doesn't have to sit
around a smoke filled home waiting for a phone call
Calling when a smoke detector goes off, is as absurb as calling for a
panic button - whats the point in having those things if the CS has to
call you first .. !!! You are already dead time as they call you ..??!
OK .. there is another one that shows the whole clients house as being
protected, with maybe a couple door switches and a motion or two ..
that one is pretty darn dumb also ... they forgot the windows and the
yard ... see they are saying they protect your entire home and family
.. for ($so charge) per month .. doesnt say what they install!
>>
>Thats an absurd conclusion, are you suggesting Brinks dispatch the fire
>department without making a call first?
It's really not absurd. If it was a commercial building, per NFPA 72,
they have to call the fire department first. Back to the whole false
alarm issue again ... cheap equipment, ignorant end-users, and bad
installations.
The average consumer doesn't care how their security system works,
just like most of you don't care how the internet works - as long as
it does work. Most of ADT's residential commercials piss me off, but
if you think about the message - an invisible blanket of protection -
it isn't too far from what a properly designed system would do, albeit
in very simplistic terms. To the average consumer, anything more
technically correct would be a waste of advertising money, and all of
us reap the benefits from such advertising. The industry exposure to
the general public is worth putting up with ADT's 0's and 1's and with
Brinks average-white-guy, glass smashing burglars.
That's a special wall paper. For an extra fee....
But don't bother with the siding, too expensive and people keep stealing it.
I haven't seen an ADT one for a few months either.
<ro...@aspbahamas.com> wrote in message news:1109230264.4...@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
"J. Sloud" <jslou...@netscape.net> wrote in message news:cser119c32246ohv6...@4ax.com...
> To the average consumer, anything more
>technically correct would be a waste of advertising money, and all of
>us reap the benefits from such advertising. The industry exposure to
>the general public is worth putting up with ADT's 0's and 1's and with
>Brinks average-white-guy, glass smashing burglars.
So if they wanted to get more realistic, they would show a non-white guy
breaking glass?
--
-Graham
Remove the snails to email
"Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:b8mTd.4$6l3...@news.uswest.net...
Dumb maybe but it's a demonstratiion
> Calling when a smoke detector goes off, is as absurb as calling for a
> panic button - whats the point in having those things if the CS has to
> call you first .. !!! You are already dead time as they call you ..??!
Thats the way residential fire alarms are dealt with unless you want a hefty
false alarm bill and a broken door after the wife burns dinner
Thats easy
In the late 80's aliens landing in a swamp in Louisiana in between the usual
pickup of stray cattle and anal probing humans saw that keypad and took it
with them, their ship was attacked and taken over by evil Cylons who used it
as a gift for Baltar who might have slipped it to Adama or instead used it
as a wall decoration
"Crash GordonŽ" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:2bmTd.5$6l3...@news.uswest.net...
But on the other hand..they do create awareness
"Mark Leuck" <m..leuck@comcast.net> wrote in message news:6oadnXJh_Mt...@comcast.com...
> Why? If it prevents or minimizes a breakin I'd say it has a large percieved
> value
>
> "Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
Hehe! Swamp gas, my foot!
But on the other hand..they do create awareness
** For the record: (1) ADT didn't start the 0-down whore thing, but did
participate later along with the other Top 5 (at the time). (2) The "free"
system went away. They don't, as far as I know, still offer such a program.
"Authorized Dealers"? Dunno 'bout them.
Adama: "Whats that thing on the wall Baltar?"
Baltar: "It is an futuristic device to protect a house used by earthlings"
Adama: "I see, why is it showing CHECK 9?"
(Ademco folks will understand that one)
I wish my surgeon would run a sale so I can get my neck fixed for 99 bucks and 34.95 a month.
"Aegis" <a...@a.com> wrote in message news:Z8OTd.19525$D34....@newssvr12.news.prodigy.com...
"Crash Gordon®" <NO...@NONE.COM> wrote in message
news:gTQTd.46$Xs5....@news.uswest.net...