Help choosing a home alarm system in British Columbia, Canada

[[email protected]]

Can someone please suggest a reliable home security company? I am
moving into a new home in Burnaby British Columbia and like to look at
what's available for home protection.

I am evaluating the following:

ADT
Alarmforce
Chubb
Protectron
Voxcom

Any feedback on goods/bads from above list would be appreciated.
Thanks.


Peter

 

[Frank Olson]

Can someone please suggest a reliable home security company? I am
moving into a new home in Burnaby British Columbia and like to look at
what's available for home protection.

I am evaluating the following:

ADT
Alarmforce
Chubb
Protectron
Voxcom

Any feedback on goods/bads from above list would be appreciated.
Thanks.


Peter

Take a look around the neighbourhood. What company's signs do you see
around? The companies you list are all large "nationals" (which isn't
necessarily a "bad thing"). The only one on the list you supplied that
I'd tend to "shy" away from is "Alarmfarce". FWIW, their "superior two
way voice alarm" just isn't all that "superior". One tip: If you're
shopping on "price" I'd suggest you ask all the companies you invite to
quote on the same type of system and basic components. That way you're
comparing "apples" to "apples".

There are two different types of systems out there. For a more detailed
explanation, have a look at http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/faqs.
Choosing between a "perimeter" and "interior" system depends on what it
is you consider important. And don't forget "the basics" (it's also a
good idea to "harden" your home's entry points, trim high shrubs or
hedges that a perp could hide in, employ motion sensor lights around the
outside, etc.). I'd suggest calling a couple of the local companies in
your "Yellow Pages". Do your homework. Make sure you ask them to leave
a copy of their contract for you to review and don't succumb to sales
pressure (not that the good firms use those kinds of tactics). All of
the companies in BC are licensed and their staff are as well. Signing
any contract (where the rep actually comes to your home) has a mandatory
"cooling off" period (where you can cancel the contract without penalty).

Avoid the "low down" systems because they usually carry a stiff monthly
"fee" that will cost you more in the long run. Make sure you understand
what it is you're signing and that anything the salesman "says" (or
"offers") should be backed up in writing.

Is your home pre-wired? This often makes installing a system easier and
depending on the quality of the pre-wire you could wind up with an
excellent system at a very reasonable cost.

Have a look at some of the features and benefits of the different
manufacturer's systems (in most cases you can download the user manuals
which may help guide your decision as to what you want:

http://www.dsc.com
http://www.paradox.ca
http://www.ademco.com
http://www.gesecurity.com
http://www.elkproducts.com

Good Luck!

Frank Olson
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com

 

[Jeruvy]

I would recommend buying from a company you feel comfortable with.

1. Who comes out and agrees or meets most of your needs without being
told?

2. Who analyzes your perimeter and outside yard completely for full
assessment of your security needs?

3. Who understands your needs the best?

Don't be afraid to have them all over and let them decide for you.

Be afraid of anyone who quotes you over the phone without a visit.

Additionally I would recommend finding a smaller more local company as
you may get a better result from them. Once you have a security system
'anyone' can monitor it (though not all are equal)

Good Luck.

 

[Robert Campbell]

Good post Frank ! I guess the large nationals are more regulated in BC than
in Ontario. I wouldn't be quite as charitable in describing ADT locally here
in Ontario. However, both Protectron and Voxcom are decent companies, but
Alarmforce is a company that I would definately avoid for a variety of
reasons that we all know. Chubb I am told is also good, albeit very
expensive, along the same lines as ADT.

I've been wondering how things are down here in Florida. The only companies
I see are ADT, Westco, APT of Panama City, and one small company called
Secure Alarms. I get the impression there are nowhere near as many small
"mom and pop" companies in this area.....

One thing I've learned about our industry is that conditions from one area
of the country differ markedly from other areas. As such, we've gotta be
careful passing judgment on a company based on local
experience.....(something that I have to remember....)

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com

 

[Beachcomber]

Additionally I would recommend finding a smaller more local company as
you may get a better result from them. Once you have a security system
'anyone' can monitor it (though not all are equal)

Good Luck.

You can also get the company with the best reputation, but one bad or
inexperienced installer can give you a lifetime of grief with your
alarm system.

Experience counts on such items such as the placement of motion
sensors, wireless controls, and the techniques to wire doors and
windows into the system.

If you are doing a full blown "wired system", you may have better luck
with a smaller company that might not be under as much pressure to
shuttle the installers from job to job. Just one opinion here.

Beachcomber

 

[Robert L Bass]

I've been wondering how things are down here in Florida...

All of the nationals are active in Florida. There are also lots
of the notorious "authorized dealer" outfits doing pretty much
the same rotten work they do elsewhere.

I've run into a few ADT corporate types and seen their work. It
was good. In Sarasota, which is a good distance south of where
you are, there are several independent firms selling installed
systems. One I know of does awful work and the others re about
average.

Several years ago there were three of four large, regional
outfits mostly catering to the booming new construction industry.
They've been bought up by larger firms and we rarely see anything
from what was left of them any more (at least not in Sarasota).

Every so often some moron ADT "authorized dealer" from Bradenton
plasters illegal free system come-ons all over our neighborhood.
I used to throw them out but a few months ago I decided to call
the guy. He tried to pretend that he knew nothing about the
offer -- said it was the work of a "new" salesman, etc. I
assured him I had no intention of forwarding his illegal offer to
the state attorney's office if he didn't repeat it.

Just before I left for Brazil I found another of his ads stuffed
in my rural mailbox. I kept it. When I get back I'll make a
copy of it and send the original up to Tallahassee. Now that
they've finished wasting time on Mugsy's pals' false complaint,
perhaps they have time to go after the jerk.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

Bass Burglar Alarms
The Online DIY Store
http://www.BassBurglarAlarms.com

--

Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large
groups.


The only companies

 

[Doug L]

They already did, but apparently he legged it to Brasil

Doug L

 

[mikey]

Protectron

Can someone please suggest a reliable home security company? I am
moving into a new home in Burnaby British Columbia and like to look at
what's available for home protection.

I am evaluating the following:

ADT
Alarmforce
Chubb
Protectron
Voxcom

Any feedback on goods/bads from above list would be appreciated.
Thanks.


Peter

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[Robert Campbell]

They also have a monitoring station in Vancouver which is connected to their
others in Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City for redundancy.

If you decide to use a large national, you could do worse....

RHC

 

[Beats]

Peter:

I have been installing alarm systems for in homes, business, banks, etc
for 16 years. The thing that maters most is getting someone qualified.
That is an employee (not a sub) who has been doing it for at least 3
years. Choose a well known company so they will come back to service if
you need them. If you choose a trunk slammer you will never see them
again and no one else will want to service you without an expensive
upgrade.

You will need all doors contacted and maybe a motion sensor or two
(spend the money on good motion sensors, get dual or quad digital
element).

Stephen

 

[mikey]

I started as a trunkslammer 20 years ago and I'm still here.

Peter:

I have been installing alarm systems for in homes, business, banks, etc
for 16 years. The thing that maters most is getting someone qualified.
That is an employee (not a sub) who has been doing it for at least 3
years. Choose a well known company so they will come back to service if
you need them. If you choose a trunk slammer you will never see them
again and no one else will want to service you without an expensive
upgrade.

You will need all doors contacted and maybe a motion sensor or two
(spend the money on good motion sensors, get dual or quad digital
element).

Stephen

*** Free account sponsored by SecureIX.com ***
*** Encrypt your Internet usage with a free VPN account from http://www.SecureIX.com ***

 

[alarman]

I started as a trunkslammer 20 years ago and I'm still here.

Same here.
js
Slammin' trunks since 1982.

 

[alarman]

You guys STILL working out of your cars??? I slam the door on my van....
)

Yup, Chevy van, lots of doors to slam.
js

 

[Everywhere Man]

Same here.
js
Slammin' trunks since 1982.<

Probably the same trunk too.
No wonder Doug fears riding with you.

 

[alarman]

Probably the same trunk too.
No wonder Doug fears riding with you.

You kidding? This is Southern California. We change cars like you change
underwear.
Well, like most other people change...oh, forget it.
js

 

[Mark Leuck]

Same here.
js
Slammin' trunks since 1982.

Not me, a Chevette has no trunk

 

[Doug L]

I've got 275,000 miles on mine and about the same on the van

Doug L
--

 

[alarman]

I've got 275,000 miles on mine and about the same on the van

Yes, but you have not yet ass-imilated into our culture.
js