Never had an alarm before but...

brumac · 2006-01-09T05:38:39+00:00

I'm just beginning to research home security systems.It is quite bewildering, and salespeople are not much use as a sourceof unbiased information, to say the least.I've not had much luck finding a place on the internet where I can readreviews of the different types of system, reviews of monitoringcompanies etc.Does such exist? If so, where?I was a bit put off by a guy from ADT who offered my "over 1200 dollarsworth" of hardware (but only if I signed up today), and what amountedto $42.00 / mo for monitoring. ($CDN here).Can't I just by the best hardware, install it myself and pay somebodyto monitor it? Surely if I can build computers, I can install otherelectronics.Or is there more to this than I can even imagine?I no so little about this whole thing I don't even know what I don'tknow.Tkx,V

V

vorpal 20 years ago

LMAO, Alarmman, yes, your post had some real info in it, as did some others, which I've looked at.

Mikey,

I read replies to the thread in case there is more information -- what is so surprising about that? I've read a lot of threads in this newsgroup for the same reason. I was interested more in this thread because I was surprised at the venom spewed forth as a result of a simple question. What in my post lead you to conclude that I was not grateful for the information I *did* receive? I'm not an "ingrate" -- in fact, I am quite thankful for the advice received so far. I even said so. I'm equally thankful for this insight into the character of (some of the) people in the security industry.

Your post is a lovely example of misdirection. It implies I was bitching about the advice, when in fact I was merely making an observation regarding the behaviour of some of the posters.

Regards,

Vote

T

T. Lee 20 years ago

Wal-mart may well start selling security systems and already sells some inexpensive (meaning i wouldn't bother installing one) wireless cameras. however they will never replace those of us who know how to properly install and maintain quality alarm systems.

Vote

M

mikey 20 years ago

I'm not biting, vorpal. I'm here for the entertainment. Good luck with your installation.

Vote

M

Matt Ion 20 years ago

Same goes for cameras. We've quoted plenty of homeowners and mom-and-pop stores who are aghast at the idea of $300-$500 per camera, $600 for a time-lapse VCR, and $3000 and up for a DVR, when they can go down to their local Costco and pick up a setup with four B&W cameras, a

9" monitor and built-in VCR, for about $200.

The justice is when they call back later wondering how they can set up those cameras to see anything at night without the aid of a pair of 500W floodlights, or why the guy standing right in front of the camera in broad daylight is unrecognizable on playback.

The answer, of course, is that's the difference between the $200 system and the $4000 system...

Of course, if they wanna do the cool stuff like zooming in on Will Smith's shopping bag from a satellite, like you see in the movies... well we can do that too... if you wanna tack a couple more zeros on the price. You're not gonna get that with your $200 "package" system.

Vote

R

Robert L Bass 20 years ago

Some of the worst offenders here actually tried to ban posts about DIY sales several years ago. They didn't understand USENET then and apparently still don't.

:^)

Some alarm guys actually are teenagers. :^)

Yep. And you could order it in whatever color you wanted as long as you only liked black.

There already are hundreds of online stores (including mine) that sell professional alarm systems to DIYers.

True, but fortunately for folks like me, Walmart doesn't give tech support.

Vote

R

Robert L Bass 20 years ago

I don't think the gentleman was trying to convey any obligation on your part. He just reacted in surprise (as most sane people do) to the trash that other folks posted.

After a few years reading the daily drivel from Jiminex, Olson and the like, one tends to become a bit jaded. Newcomers are amazed at these folks' online behavior and they wonder if such behavior is the Norm within our industry.

Don't take offense at the gentleman, Bob. I don't think he was trying to chastise you. He was just reacting in the way normal humans do to the verbal effluent that has become standard fare in ASA.

Vote

D

Doug L 20 years ago

And thats the reason why you get away with it for so long, the newcomers haven't seen the obnoxious and vindictive posts that you have subjected this group to over the past several years.

Its certainly not the norm in my industry, you'd know better than I if its the norm in your industry IE:On line sales

Doug L

Vote