Question about FAI Home Security
Holly
Hi
Has anybody used the services of FAI Home Security? If so, what are your
opinions.
We were given the security presentation this evening - was pretty
convincing, but I was wondering if others had investigated alternative
systems and had found the FAI system wanting in any way.
TIA
Colin Francis
"Holly" <ho...@spam.free.nz> wrote:
I looked at them all but chose Rhino Security as their circuit boards
and equipment was top line.
===== I don't know how it happened, but it seems there is
an applet in my toaster and some guy in Norway keeps
burning my bloody toast. =======
Don Mackie
> Has anybody used the services of FAI Home Security? If so, what are your
> opinions.
>
> We were given the security presentation this evening - was pretty
> convincing, but I was wondering if others had investigated alternative
> systems and had found the FAI system wanting in any way.
FAI have been criticized for their hard sell tactics in the past. I think
they have cleaned up their act. If I recall correctly they sell a low up
front cost system that you pay for with a monthly monitoring fee. You may
need to look very closely at the cocts for call outs. Bearing in mind that
most call outs will be when you or your family screw up the controls ;-)
An alternative is a system you buy yourself and which has a programmable
dialer, thus you (or your friends and rellies) can do your own monitoring.
--
Don at his place
Richard Malcolm-Smith
Holly wrote:
> Hi
> Has anybody used the services of FAI Home Security? If so, what are your
> opinions.
>
> We were given the security presentation this evening - was pretty
> convincing, but I was wondering if others had investigated alternative
> systems and had found the FAI system wanting in any way.
Is it Wireless? If so i would not recoment it. All it takes to disable
the cheaper of the wireless ones is for another transmittion on the same
frequancy. most are around 310 MHz - sharing it with car alarms and door
openers.
I tryed it on a mates "el-cheapo" schlarge alarm - and if there we held
a button on a car alarm remote within range of the reciever all the
sensors did not coe thru.
Perhaps if its a spread spectrum system then yeah, but if you can
hardwire it then go for it.
Craig Shore
In article <665tip$bnf$1...@wheel.wave.co.nz> ho...@spam.free.nz writes:
>
>Hi
>
>Has anybody used the services of FAI Home Security? If so, what are your
>opinions.
>
>We were given the security presentation this evening - was pretty
>convincing, but I was wondering if others had investigated alternative
>systems and had found the FAI system wanting in any way.
Consumer has featured them in April 1996, and the article led to
FAI sueing consumer for defamation, with consumer defending on the
basis that their article was true.
They may have changed their ways though.
The best advise would be to shop around and find a system that is
best for your needs in terms of security and price.
If you need a monitored system and you have Securitas in your area
check out the deal they have.
Craig.
--
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Holly
Thank you all for your comments. The Consumer article has opened my eyes
somewhat to the tactics used (they don't appear to have changed between
April 1996 and Dec 1997). IMO, they're still playing to a potential
customers fears and pressuring for a sale on the day.
Next step for me is to follow the advice given and check out other firms for
comparable systems.
Be seeing ya.
Sharkie
If someone from FAI knocks on your door or calls you on the phone, tell them
to F**K Off!! They are dangerous and their product is overpriced, outdated,
useless crap!!
I have just had an alarm put in. It has cost me $1,600 all up for
everything. Pet type sensors (3), fire alarm, panic button for the bedroom,
siren outside, Keypad, and remote operation from a wireless remote (like a
car alarm). My system is the Solution 6+6 made in Australia. I understand
that the FAI system is over $2,500. No One buys it outright, It goes on the
never never ($10.00 a week). It is sold to those of us how cant afford the
inital outlay or in somecase deposit required to finance an alarm systems.
I compare FAI to Encylopedia sales. Real convincing, hard to say no, and a
very very profressional sales pitch (lots of leading questions etc). Also a
very scary sales pitch with photos of burglary scenes etc. These guys will
generally only present to both husband and wife together. They want to do a
hard hard sell on you so that you have a hard time saying no.
Bascially saying something like "So Mr X, you would agree that $10.00 per
week is nothing compared to the safety of your familyand possessions." What
can you say to that?? Of course $10.00 is worth it for protection.
Also the unit is ugly. It can be monitored by a security company etc. I
heard that some people had been successfull in getting their money back by
taking FAI to the commerce commisson. Seems that because it relies on your
neighbours calling the police for you (FAI give you cards to give to your
neighbours with details so if your alarm goes off they can do something) So
if the neighbours aren't home or aren't inclined to help you the alarm is
useless (therefore not fit for the purpose for which you bought it. So it
breaches the CGA. Also I just heard from the installer here that the system
costs about $500.0 from the USA. So the markup is H U G E!!!
So be warned.
Sharkie
Craig Shore wrote in message <88132202...@yonder.southern.co.nz>...
Craig Shore
In article <66fr8u$3n3$1...@fep4.clear.net.nz> sha...@bigfoot.com writes:
>Also the unit is ugly. It can be monitored by a security company etc. I
>heard that some people had been successfull in getting their money back by
>taking FAI to the commerce commisson. Seems that because it relies on your
>neighbours calling the police for you (FAI give you cards to give to your
>neighbours with details so if your alarm goes off they can do something) So
>if the neighbours aren't home or aren't inclined to help you the alarm is
>useless (therefore not fit for the purpose for which you bought it. So it
>breaches the CGA. Also I just heard from the installer here that the system
>costs about $500.0 from the USA. So the markup is H U G E!!!
While not intending to promote the FAI system at all, i'd like to point
out that not having it monitored isn't such a bad thing.
Whether or not you need monitoring really depends on the area you live
in and what your neighbours are like. Alarms are noisy, all you
need are neighbours (not necessarily the ones right next door) that
are prepared to have a bit or a look and call the cops if they think
something's going on.
Monitoring costs money, and if you have good neighbours it's wasted money.
Also, residential telephone lines are real easy to cut, then the
monitored alarm's on it's own anyway.
Ian Talbot
Sharkie wrote:
>
> If someone from FAI knocks on your door or calls you on the phone, tell them
> to F**K Off!! They are dangerous and their product is overpriced,
> outdated,
Definitely NOT. Uses latest technology in the sensors.
> useless crap!!
Not if it's installed CORRECTLY! Not that often unfortunately..
>
> I have just had an alarm put in. It has cost me $1,600 all up for
> everything. Pet type sensors (3), fire alarm, panic button for the bedroom,
> siren outside, Keypad, and remote operation from a wireless remote (like a
> car alarm). My system is the Solution 6+6 made in Australia. I understand
Not telepermitted for NZ, from memory. Also several systems available in NZ that do
meet NZ specs etc that would cost about $800 for the above same specs.
> that the FAI system is over $2,500. No One buys it outright, It goes on the
> never never ($10.00 a week). It is sold to those of us how cant afford the
> inital outlay or in somecase deposit required to finance an alarm systems.
> I compare FAI to Encylopedia sales. Real convincing, hard to say no, and a
> very very profressional sales pitch (lots of leading questions etc). Also a
> very scary sales pitch with photos of burglary scenes etc. These guys will
Usually showing one hell of a mess and a bit of blood & gore...
> generally only present to both husband and wife together. They want to do a
> hard hard sell on you so that you have a hard time saying no.
>
> Bascially saying something like "So Mr X, you would agree that $10.00 per
> week is nothing compared to the safety of your familyand possessions." What
> can you say to that?? Of course $10.00 is worth it for protection.
>
> Also the unit is ugly.
Possibly true..
> It can be monitored by a security company etc. I
True..
> heard that some people had been successfull in getting their money back by
> taking FAI to the commerce commisson. Seems that because it relies on your
> neighbours calling the police for you (FAI give you cards to give to your
As do many systems. As long as they are sold with that understanding then they are
OK. Unfortunately many are sold on the basis you describe - monitoring = reliance on
neighbours ringing the Police.
> neighbours with details so if your alarm goes off they can do something) So
> if the neighbours aren't home or aren't inclined to help you the alarm is
> useless (therefore not fit for the purpose for which you bought it. So it
> breaches the CGA. Also I just heard from the installer here that the system
> costs about $500.0 from the USA. So the markup is H U G E!!!
Then he hasn't got a clue... My guess is his installations are probably of the same
standard...
The systems FAI sell in NZ are made wholly in Sydney. I was in the factory where
they are made exactly 12 months ago, to the day. I was not there for anything to do
with FAI, in fact I dissasociate myself fully from FAI.
For the record, I am involved with the design and manufacture of security systems
here in NZ. We also import various security items and export our own product. Any
further info is available by e-mail.
--
73 de Ian.
ia...@ihug.co.nz
ICQ 685771