Installation fee for ADT home alarm system is $3k?!

[JEDI]

parents just put this in for their house.
lots of break-ins recently on their block.

and omg the monthly fee...

 

[nickbits]

Just buy the yard signs and window stickers...

 

[postmortemIA]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/adt.htm
can't find a single positive review

 

[Greenman]

I thought all alarm company's sucked. The entire reason for the service is to tell you when your house has been opened or on fire. While that's handy information to have, it's usually worthless by the time it gets to you, the police, and all to often the fire department.

They always seemed like false security to me.

 

[iamwiz82]

Just buy the yard signs and window stickers...

There is a theory that this leads thieves targeting the house specifically. If a system can be defeated and thieves know that the system exists in the house, then it's open season, essentially.

 

[iamwiz82]

I went with Frontpoint: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/frontpoint-security.html

Super happy thus far.

 

[nickbits]

There is a theory that this leads thieves targeting the house specifically. If a system can be defeated and thieves know that the system exists in the house, then it's open season, essentially.

Hmm never thought of that. Damned if you do & damned if you don't.

 

[highland145]

There is a theory that this leads thieves targeting the house specifically. If a system can be defeated and thieves know that the system exists in the house, then it's open season, essentially.

 

[DrPizza]

For a while, I was getting calls from some company that wanted to install a free security system in my home. It took about 10 minutes on the phone before I was able to get the guy to mention that there was a monthly fee for monitoring the system. But, fwiw, apparently there are companies out there who install the system for free, then make their money from the monthly fee instead.

I wasn't actually interested; it was just that I had at least a dozen phone calls from them, all from different cities/numbers. Finally, I talked to the guy for about 15 minutes. At least I did amuse him for a bit with my free home security (he was confused how my system was free) - "Well, if someone who doesn't belong here goes into my house when I'm not home, my always home retired neighbor will confront them and shoot them if he has to. We've already had one trespasser shot in my front lawn, though it wasn't a human. And, I reciprocate. I bury the bodies; I have the digging equipment." He went right in to, "well, what if you have a fire in your house?" "Then, when my neighbor sees the flames and smoke, he'll call the fire department. If my house burns, I'd rather it all burns - I'm insured. And, if I'm home, when the smoke and heat alarms go off, I'll call, plus I have at least half a dozen fire extinguishers." He persisted: "what if you can't get to your phone?" "It's in my pocket. Are you saying that there's going to be a fire, and my arm is going to shrink to half of its length, all at the same time? That's a heck of a coincidence." "What if you have a heart attack?" "My wife is a well trained nurse; she has worked in an ER. She would know how to care for me better until the ambulance arrives." "What if your wife has a heart attack?" "I have her insured for a lot of money."

After 15 minutes, I told him that I was just joking around to waste his time because I was tired of the phone calls. If they didn't take me off the call list, I'd waste 30 minutes of their time the next time. I haven't received a call since; ditto calls for a couple of other services that I got at least once every other day.

 

[vi edit]

There is a theory that this leads thieves targeting the house specifically. If a system can be defeated and thieves know that the system exists in the house, then it's open season, essentially.

So buy signs from 5 different security companies and put all of them on your door and keep them guessing

 

[master_shake_]

hidden gun turrets behind bushes are a good deterrent.

i know i wouldn't go anywhere near that house.

also trip wire land mines.

 

[mizzou]

The main issue with ADT is the subcontractor business who claim to work for them. A typical ADT Installation costs $0.00 and will include the base unit, several wireless alarms, and a key FOB.

If they paid $3,000.00 for an installation, I'm quite baffled. Did they go with a wired install and go way overboard with multi-sensors? What package did they get?

"I got ADT" could mean, you just have 2 door sensors or you that you have Pulse with all the advanced bells & whistles (door unlocks, etc.)

 

[Ban Bot]

We recently got Simplisafe--affordable, easy to install, seems to work. Under $400 for the house and monitoring is $15/mo.

 

[Red Squirrel]

When I was in the market for a system it just so happened that I got a door to door guy selling systems. Figured I'll let him show me what he has to offer and go from there. My house was randomly picked (guessing this is just marketing talk) and I get the system for free and just have to enter a 3 year contract.

I did end up going for it but the monthly fee ain't cheap. $60/mo. I was not thinking there, but I pretty much paid that system over many times. I would have been better off buying my own system then either monitoring it myself or finding a cheaper company.

Either way having a security system is well worth it though. I don't worry as much any more when I have to leave the house for a long time. I'd like to eventually look into cameras though, and that I would definitely go the DIY route as I would not trust monitored systems for something like that. The cameras would mostly just be a second defence and act as evidence if someone did break in anyway.

Putting the signs up is a double edged sword. Based on the company and how long the stickers have been up thieves can get a very general idea of what kind of system is in there and if there are any flaws they'll be able to bypass it. On the other hand it will stop the lazy thieves who don't feel like dealing with a security system.

 

[mizzou]

Putting the signs up is a double edged sword. Based on the company and how long the stickers have been up thieves can get a very general idea of what kind of system is in there and if there are any flaws they'll be able to bypass it. On the other hand it will stop the lazy thieves who don't feel like dealing with a security system.

Just keep in mind, if you are a target of thieves who actually know a thing or two about disarming alarm systems...you will need something way more powerful then a consumer level security system to handle that.

Your average burglar will still kick in that door or shatter that window to get in. I'm hard pressed to remember any break in on local news, ever, that involved someone cutting glass, picking locks, or defeating an alarm system with criminal knowledge.

 

[Zorba]

Just keep in mind, if you are a target of thieves who actually know a thing or two about disarming alarm systems...you will need something way more powerful then a consumer level security system to handle that.

Your average burglar will still kick in that door or shatter that window to get in. I'm hard pressed to remember any break in on local news, ever, that involved someone cutting glass, picking locks, or defeating an alarm system with criminal knowledge.

My thoughts exactly. Everyone thinks a Jason Borne is the one that will break into their house, when in fact in a 17 year-old kid that needs money for drugs and is most likely strung out on said drugs when they are breaking in. I've known a handful of people that had their houses broken into and it was either a complete amateur job or a friend of their kids.

I hear the same argument about safes, specifically gun safes, that they are so easy to crack, etc. Seriously? How many safe crackers, alarm defeaters are breaking into random houses, cracking safes hoping there is something valuable in it? Someone breaks into my safe they'll get my passport and porn, woo hoo.

 

[NutBucket]

The bigger deal about safes is making sure they're not easily removable. When it weighs 500lbs+ it really helps

 

[MustISO]

That seems like a crazy amount to pay for installation. Typical new installation with door, windows, motion usually runs around $500 and monitoring is anywhere from $15 - $30 month. Did the 3000 include video monitoring or something incredibly elaborate?

 

[Unheard]

The bigger deal about safes is making sure they're not easily removable. When it weighs 500lbs+ it really helps

It also helps to bolt it to the floor and/or wall.

 

[edro]

Spam post/links deleted.


I have personally used both, and they burned down my house.
Would NOT recommend.


Please do not quote spam posts/links. It makes our job much more difficult.
admin allisolm