GTA - Alarm Force Feedback?

[Tash]

We currently have an ADT system (for 4 years) and ADT has ticked me
off. So I am thinking of changing.

Anyone have any feedback on the Alarmforce system they wish to share?

Please and thanks,

Natasha

 

[AlarmCo]

We currently have an ADT system (for 4 years) and ADT has ticked me
off. So I am thinking of changing.

Anyone have any feedback on the Alarmforce system they wish to share?

what'd they do to tick you off? don't know about alarmforce. you may have
trouble getting another co to monitor adt system without changing board
[additional expense]

 

[Frank Olson]

We currently have an ADT system (for 4 years) and ADT has ticked me
off. So I am thinking of changing.

Anyone have any feedback on the Alarmforce system they wish to share?

Please and thanks,

Natasha

AlarmFarce is just that. A Farce. Find a local dealer and spend some
money on a *real* system.

 

[Tash]

AlarmFarce is just that. A Farce. Find a local dealer and spend some

money on a *real* system.

Ok I don't know much about alarm systems.... what the difference
between a farce system and real system?

FYI, Our house was built in 1918 - its all plaster walls which I
understand makes hardwiring an alarm system much more difficult and
very expensive... is that true?

We took over the ADT contract from the previous owners - its wireless
as a result of the plaster (so we were told).

Tash

 

[Tash]

what'd they do to tick you off? don't know about alarmforce. you may have

trouble getting another co to monitor adt system without changing board
[additional expense]

I am appealing a police charge that never occurred for a false alarm.
Further as customers for 4 years, we were told b/c it was the 1st
incident any charges would be waived - I got an invoice three weeks
later. They have to pull the police invoice (which doesn't exist - I
called the Alarm Unit at MTP) and the voice recordings of the
conversations to the occurrence room. I have no clue how long this is
going to take but its really annoyed me.

Further more, they are now trying to sell me a $6 a month guard
service which is limited to 3 responses a year, thereafter $50 a
response. And when I asked about if the inside motion detector could
be failing (this was the trigger for the false alarm) would they
inspect it? It was going to cost me a call out fee plus whatever they
fixed... and then they tried to sell me some monthly fee to cover
things like that (extended warranty).

I just feel nickle and dimed - and ripped off re: the bogus police
fees.

I don't know a heck of a lot about alarm systems. Our house was broken
into when we were children and everywhere I have lived thereafter - we
have made sure we have one.

Several people recommended AlarmForce b.c the guard service is $2.15
month unlimited responses and because they guarantee the equipment for
life - so the maintenance and on-going fees are lower.

But if anyone on this list has other recommendations I am happy to
hear them and why.

Thanks

Tash

 

[Marc -Ashton]

Sorry to hear about your wow's
Pretty sure that Alarm Force is run by X AlarmBridge/ X ViaSecurity X VSN
security ( ... lot of leniage here.)
The guaranty for life is the equipment, not the service call @ $95 per hr..
Sure will replace a $10 contact for free at $95 per hour.. watch what your
paying for,
You say you took over the alarm from previous owners, If you wireless system
is ~ 15 years old, I suggest that you have it replaced..not to defend ADT..
the equipment is dated, find a local dealer that is responsive to your calls
and have the equipment replaced with newer reliable equipment.
I can recommend a few dealers in your area is interested, email me directly
for references

Marc

 

[Frank Olson]

Ok I don't know much about alarm systems.... what the difference
between a farce system and real system?

FYI, Our house was built in 1918 - its all plaster walls which I
understand makes hardwiring an alarm system much more difficult and
very expensive... is that true?

We took over the ADT contract from the previous owners - its wireless
as a result of the plaster (so we were told).

Tash

Alarm"Farce" is all hype and marketing. Nothing they offer can't be
provided by a Dealer local to your area, and since the individual Dealer
isn't tied to their marketing stratagems he's not limited to providing
their equipment, service, etc. Your home sounds like a lot of high end
heritage homes and sites we've provided service to. Wiring a home like
this presents challenges not all Dealers are willing (or able) to meet.
A wireless solution is an alternative but even that has to be "done
right" or it will wind up looking like a "farce" job. I would recommend
you investigate solutions local to you. Find someone familiar with
local codes and the specific construction techniques utilized in your
home. Ask for references and emphasize that you don't want "any old
slap and stick" job.

 

[tourman]

Frank, I don't know if I ever told you this, but one day while
visiting a lock shop in a town near mine, I struck up a conversation
as I always do with the owner, if for no other reason other than to
compare notes as peers in the same business. Well, it turned out that
he was a past service manager for Alarmforce some years back. When I
told him it takes us one day minimum to properly install a system, he
told me that when he was installing their "lick and stick" garbage, he
used to do as many as 10 to 15 systems a day.....

Kinda tells you something doesn't it.....)

RHC

 

[Pogo]

Hey Tourman, you still basking in the Sun?
We met a few months back, talked about biking and such.. plan on heading
south myself next few days...
Nice to see you out here.. I'm new to this news group, but what a wonder
that the same re-curring topics appear... Why it it people think that the
likes of ADT and AlarmForce, AlarmBridge are actual security companies!
"They are Finance Companies" nothing more..ha ha
Be safe, keep the Vulcan two wheels down

Pogo

 

[Frank Olson]

Frank, I don't know if I ever told you this, but one day while
visiting a lock shop in a town near mine, I struck up a conversation
as I always do with the owner, if for no other reason other than to
compare notes as peers in the same business. Well, it turned out that
he was a past service manager for Alarmforce some years back. When I
told him it takes us one day minimum to properly install a system, he
told me that when he was installing their "lick and stick" garbage, he
used to do as many as 10 to 15 systems a day.....

Kinda tells you something doesn't it.....)

RHC

Their "lick and stick" special includes one PIR and one door contact.
The customer has to pick which door and the PIR is located where-ever
the "tech" thinks best. Joel Matlin says it's "superior" to what any of
us sell. He's a lot like another poster here whose name I won't mention
who seems to think that if he repeats something often enough, people
will actually start "believing" him. Have you seen their latest annual
report?

 

[tourman]

Hey, good to hear from you....yes, I remember meeting you at SSI when
we were both in there on a spend. Lots of good riding since 15th Jan
all around northern Florida and southern Alabama I've met lots of nice
people and some fine biking types who are from the military and a lot
of whom have just returned from Iraq. Lots of charity runs for their
widows too.

It's great to be out of the snow and getting in a couple of "free"
months of extra riding (yeah...free like the free alarm
systems.....costing big bucks when you count up the real costs, but
worth every penny, unlike the free alarm systems. As I remember, you
are on the east cost and I am on the west coast, so not likely we will
meet on the road, but keep the rubber down my friend.

Best wishes

RHC

 

[Pogo]

Frank, Now you just tweeked something, where would I find this annual
report...., talking to a local ADT service guy, not his fault he needs to
feed his family I guess, he indicated that they were not doing so good! I
would like to see just how "No so Good there Doing" As I was informed that
they now charging $148.00 for a 12VDC 4 AmpHr battery swap out.., Of course
this is north of the 49th Parallel were the dollar is $0.89 US.. ha ha.
($131.72US) I keep hearing that they are suffering, this industry has never
really boated about its good times if there ever was any, but we sure gripe
when it not so good!

 

[Frank Olson]

Frank, Now you just tweeked something, where would I find this annual
report...., talking to a local ADT service guy, not his fault he needs to
feed his family I guess, he indicated that they were not doing so good! I
would like to see just how "No so Good there Doing" As I was informed that
they now charging $148.00 for a 12VDC 4 AmpHr battery swap out.., Of course
this is north of the 49th Parallel were the dollar is $0.89 US.. ha ha.
($131.72US) I keep hearing that they are suffering, this industry has never
really boated about its good times if there ever was any, but we sure gripe
when it not so good!

http://www.alarmforce.com/AlarmForce Annual Report 2005.pdf

 

[Frank Olson]

Frank, Now you just tweeked something, where would I find this annual
report...., talking to a local ADT service guy, not his fault he needs to
feed his family I guess, he indicated that they were not doing so good! I
would like to see just how "No so Good there Doing" As I was informed that
they now charging $148.00 for a 12VDC 4 AmpHr battery swap out.., Of course
this is north of the 49th Parallel were the dollar is $0.89 US.. ha ha.
($131.72US) I keep hearing that they are suffering, this industry has never
really boated about its good times if there ever was any, but we sure gripe
when it not so good!

They seem to think Joel Matlin is the "cat's meow".

"Dependence on Key Personnel: The company is highly dependent on its
ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel such as its
president, Mr. Joel Matlin. The company has entered into a management
agreement with Mr. Matlin, which includes a non-competition covenant.
The loss of Mr. Matlin could have a negative impact on the company or on
the further development and/or marketing of the company’s products.
However, as additional personnel are hired, the dependence on Mr. Matlin
will be reduced. In the interim, there could be a disruption of the
company’s operations if Mr. Matlin leaves or otherwise becomes
unavailable to render services to the company."

One of my customers called them for a "quote/proposal". He lives in a
3500 square foot house with two levels. The "consultant" seemed to
think the "basic package" was more than adequate. They don't have a
"pet immune" PIR. The guy said his "tech" would be installing it upside
down and about 3 feet from the floor (in the foyer). None of the back
windows would be covered which would have left the family room (with the
big TV, stereo) and the master bedroom unprotected.

The rep kept repeating: "Real burglars avoid Alarmfarce protected
homes. It's on our website".