Honeywell/ADT/Brinks/etc, why do they send dudes from out of state door to door?

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
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Got another alarm drone here. Always the same story, they usually bring up 'a cop' that lives 'oh down a few blocks' that told them just a few moments earlier there were anywhere from 1 to 10 break-ins over the last 2 days to week (today's story was 5 houses were broken into in my neighborhood between today and yesterday, calling the local PD showed that was not the case).

Anyway these guys are always from out of state with out of state phone numbers or the 800 number.

I'd probably never choose one of these outfits, but I gave this guy another shot. 26 windows with switches, 4 doors, 7 glass breaks, 2 pet-friendly motions, 1 normal motion, two keypads with a separate panel, multiple sirens with one in attic and cell dialing.

They always say they can do this 'included' but then it becomes back and forth with some manager or the parent company that insists they will send another guy out...it ends up being $500+ and you aren't getting the equipment promised.

I am planing on going with a Vista 15P or equivalent soon and possibly doing some wired connections...although with today's smart wireless many are skipping that.

Most don't think how easy it is to defeat phone and with a panel that's all built into one that's easy to defeat too. Now cell phone jamming is becoming low hanging fruit, but it's not widely used.

Anyway why the hell do they ship these guys in? Aren't there kids willing to sell stuff locally?

Å
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,282
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It's just like the roving/traveling magazine sales crews that used to pass through all the time.

Most of the alarm sales/install crews we get here are Mormons from Utah, working for sketchy Utah companies, but representing the major alarm companies.

The first time we signed up, we went with ADT and got a decent alarm system, but no window sensors. (good motion sensors are almost as good.
When our contract expired, the Monitronics folks happened to stop by, and since ADT had almost doubled our rates after the contract expired, we were interested. They upgraded our existing system to meet the new laws here, (now requires 2-way voice in the panel) plus gave us a second motion sensor, fire/smoke alarm tied to the system, cell phone back up system, all installation, etc. and we had to pay $99. for it all, but they gave us back $100 in cash so the equipment & install was free. (Apparently, Monitronics requires them to charge for the labor, but they give it back as a rebate...go figure)
The other day, I screwed up and hit the panic button on the remote...the system went off, but they didn't call us like usual. I finally got the dammed thing to disarm, (forgot the code momentarily) and called them. No record of the alarm event. No landline signal, no cell back-up signal. Hmmm we did some tests while I was on the phone, and the basic system was working, but the panic button wasn't working and neither was the cell system.
They sent out a tech who looked the system over, changed the programming so the panic button would send a signal, (apparently the last tech disabled that feature) and told us our cell back-up was out dated and non-functional. (no more analog, all digital)
It took some arguing and threatening to go back to ADT, but Monitronics finally agreed to replace the cell back-up unit with a current one at no charge. (they started at $100 + installation of about $100.)
The guy spend about 3 hours here installing the new parts, reprogramming the panel, and doing some other testing...all at no charge to me.
I expect that next year, ADT or another alarm company will send someone else through the neighborhood again, and this time, it's gonna cost them window sensors...:D
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
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well even a good motion can usually be defeated by just moving slowly. I think they may even have demostrations on YouTube. I look at multi-layered.

Most of the alarm companies are actually expecting the break-in to occur prior to their system doing anything. Most of their drones will insist only one motion is needed as 'all crooks' will come through common traffic paths within a house. If the dude picks one room to B&E and then leave then it will do no good.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
65,282
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I can't argue with your statements, but it sounds like you're forgoing ANY alarm system just because they won't give you all the bells and whistles you want. Don't wait until your house gets burgled to put in a system like my neighbor did...
 

Ernie99

Member
May 4, 2006
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0
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Save yourself some money and DIY. I can guarantee you that with the amount of sensors you want installed, any security company is going to charge you quite a bit of money. Check with your local phone company and see if they offer security monitoring (mine does and it is cheap with no contract).
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
Originally posted by: BoomerD
I can't argue with your statements, but it sounds like you're forgoing ANY alarm system just because they won't give you all the bells and whistles you want. Don't wait until your house gets burgled to put in a system like my neighbor did...

Didn't say that...the system I want is about $750...I would install it myself.