I found a few Online companies offering $8.95/mo (+$30-40 OTC for setup) = Smarthome.com and store.plug-and-protect.com but I ended up going with El Cheapo http://www.saveonmyalarm.com They have a $2.95/mo plus $30 otc and some other options. If you can't reprogram the alarm they send you a diverter that traps the outgoing call and redirects it to their call center(s). Only catch appears to be the auto-renewal to mont-to-month @ $13.95 without 60 day notice at the end.
I wasn't happy with the diverter though, mostly because my alarm system contract was up and the system was paid for and I should have the ability to reprogram the phone number... and what if the new service is lousy and I want another vendor, same boat as before... I could replace the circuit board, but, that involves $$$ and re-wiring and figuring out all the re-programming too.
In the end I got a tip and ended up signing into the manuf.'s (alarm) website (as an alarm technician, it's true now I swear) and got the manuals and software to dial into the alarm system. Then I downloaded some manuals, did a little more research, fooled around with modems and such and was able to dial in and get the master code to program it (and actually just reprogram it via the program). It sounds straight forward but it really was a royal PITA involving lots of trial and error and running up and down stairs like a maniac. But I won. Sad thing is, it would have been possible for the original installer to lock out even the method I used if they wanted too... I'm glad they were a little lazy and I had nothing better to do today.
So, I have the code now, was able to switch over and can entrust my families safety to a $2.95/mo company... and my dog. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded spending the $20/mo originally but they truly sucked and weren't worth it. We had an alarm condition twice when we weren't home and both times they couldn't alert the police because they screwed up and 'lost' my permit #. I really don't think the $2.95/mo version can be any worse and even if it is, I still get my insurance discount... which is all I really wanted.
for me.
Cliffs Notes:
1) I became an Alarm Technician today and found a not-to-known way into my alarm and reprogrammed it. Fun Fun.
I wasn't happy with the diverter though, mostly because my alarm system contract was up and the system was paid for and I should have the ability to reprogram the phone number... and what if the new service is lousy and I want another vendor, same boat as before... I could replace the circuit board, but, that involves $$$ and re-wiring and figuring out all the re-programming too.
In the end I got a tip and ended up signing into the manuf.'s (alarm) website (as an alarm technician, it's true now I swear) and got the manuals and software to dial into the alarm system. Then I downloaded some manuals, did a little more research, fooled around with modems and such and was able to dial in and get the master code to program it (and actually just reprogram it via the program). It sounds straight forward but it really was a royal PITA involving lots of trial and error and running up and down stairs like a maniac. But I won. Sad thing is, it would have been possible for the original installer to lock out even the method I used if they wanted too... I'm glad they were a little lazy and I had nothing better to do today.
So, I have the code now, was able to switch over and can entrust my families safety to a $2.95/mo company... and my dog. Honestly, I wouldn't have minded spending the $20/mo originally but they truly sucked and weren't worth it. We had an alarm condition twice when we weren't home and both times they couldn't alert the police because they screwed up and 'lost' my permit #. I really don't think the $2.95/mo version can be any worse and even if it is, I still get my insurance discount... which is all I really wanted.
Cliffs Notes:
1) I became an Alarm Technician today and found a not-to-known way into my alarm and reprogrammed it. Fun Fun.