Ademco System
2010
The Simple Truth About Alarm Monitoring
By now you’ve seen the “powerful” television ads being run by ADT and the other big boys selling centrally monitored alarm systems. Maybe one of these companies has visited your home with an offer of a “free” or “almost free” alarm system.
Sounds good, doesn’t it? Perhaps they even asked you the magic “closing” question…”Wouldn’t you spend just $1.00 per day to protect your family?” Who could say no to that question? That’s what they are counting on! Now they have you ready to sign your contract!
What is wrong with this picture? First of all, no one “gives” you a free system! No one! These “big boys” spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on their powerful television ads and your dollars are used to pay for them. Add it up.
The so called free system is typically an Ademco/Honeywell system that includes a main control panel, a single keypad to operate the system, 3 door or window surface contacts, an interior siren and a motion detector. Next, your monitoring contract is ALWAYS tied into a 3-5 year monitoring contract that automatically renews. Lastly, you will probably need some extra contacts, a second motion detector and at least 1 smoke and fire sensor.
Now we’ll add it up. For convenience, let’s just say your offer requires a 3 year commitment at $35.00 per month. That comes up to $1,260.00.
Too Much! You can easily purchase central monitoring from a national company, without a written long term contract, for as little as $8.95 per month. This adds up to $322.20 for the same 3 years the “big boys” require, and you aren’t subject to an automatic renewal. Now add in the cost of the same Ademco/Honeywell system…control panel, keypad and 3 door or window contacts…$136.17, (link). The difference is $801.63. If you install the system yourself, you keep the entire difference. If you pay a handyman or professional installer an installation fee, you will normally only pay $250.00. You just saved yourself $551.63!
That’s not all you need to know. The typical monitoring customer, like yourself, keeps their same monitoring service for an average of 15 years. If you compare the total cost for an additional 12 years after your automatically renewing original contract expires, you will pay $5,040.00. If you use the $8.95 program, you will pay only $1,288.80 for the same 12 years. Is there really anything to think about?
Now for the “scary” part! The “big boys” will not tell you that your system requires an “installer’s code” to be set in the system. They will only tell you about the “user’s code”. The “user’s code” allows you to program your secret numbered codes for the members of your family having access to the system. The “installer’s code”, on the other hand, is required to re-program zones or add devices. Without it, you cannot make changes to your system without paying the “big boy” to do it. More importantly, without having the “installer’s code”, you CANNOT switch monitoring companies! This allows the “big boys” to hold your system hostage. Just try and get them to give it to you when you want to cancel the contract. They usually don’t, and in most cases, they do so reluctantly, and usually require a fight.
Lastly, most home owners require more sensors than the limited number the “big boys” offer for “free”. If you do require extra sensors such as window or door contacts or smoke and fire sensors, you will typically pay the “big boys” 2-3 times more for these extras.
When the time comes for you to purchase a security system for your home, be an educated consumer. Don’t let the polished television ads lure you in. Purchase your system from a reputable internet security store and have the system installed on your own. You will save thousands of dollars, (literally), and have the complete freedom to renew, not renew or change your monitoring service as you choose.
About the Author
David Zuppke has been a licensed attorney for more than 28 years and is the founder of Watchdog Superstore. He has dozens of years of experience in consumer’s protection laws and has a full staff of professional installers and technicians who are available to assist you in the design, purchase and installation questions for your home security systems. Find out more at www.watchdogsuperstore.com
Ademco Security System Test (Burglar Portion)
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