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Looking to purchase alarm system - suggestions?

A

alarman

Frank said:
I don't believe in "gouging" the customer, if that's what you mean.
And $15.00 isn't unreasonable and provides a very comfortable margin.
The fact that it's below what everyone else is charging is probably
what bugs you. I run into that all the time. :))

Is basic economics not taught in Canada? Jeez.
js
 
A

alarman

R.H.Campbell said:
Dream on lad...:) I'm coming up 61 and wish to retire from this
business sometime soon, and will do so shortly once I am convinced
that my son is competent in ALL aspects of the business. Then I
intend to ride my motorcycle where ever the road leads to, plus hit
the Florida snowbird scene ( with bike in tow), plus start to slow
down a little.

BTW, we don't "do attics" at all, in any way shape or form....they
need that, they go elsewhere.

Must be nice, but how do you run your wires?
js
 
F

Frank Olson

alarman said:
Is basic economics not taught in Canada? Jeez.
js


We try to avoid words with "CON" in them here (politicians are an exception
though). :))
 
F

Frank Olson

Norm Mugford said:
Mr. Bass wrote:

"In all probability there's little or no difference either way".

Mr. Bass...I'm shocked.....You're taking the middle road.....


He has to. That way people can pass him using the road shoulders on either
side. :))
 
F

Frank Olson

PS: When you find out how to beam yourself to service calls let me know.
Gas IS expensive....:))


You mean you haven't received the latest release note from Elk?? The
transporter interface "ELKTREK-1M2" is scheduled for release in June, 2275.
I can't wait!!! :))
 
R

R.H.Campbell

Most houses are prewired here...at least the new ones anyway. With open
basement ceilings, most alarm wiring is run there. The odd second story
keypad or smoke is 1-up through two closets that line up with each other, or
2- the customer hires some grunt to run wires into the attic up through the
plastic pipe which usually goes from the basment to the attic ... or 3- you
pass up the business to someone who IS willing to do attic work (most other
companies...)

With 850 customers, I'm at a point where honestly I don't care if I get
another account. I only take new installs to keep my son busy, since I'm
paying him a decent salary. I either pay him, or pay the government thieves
at Revenue Canada.

It's a pretty bad state of affairs when a business person doesn't want to
expand due to excessive taxation (even with a professional accountant
advising....)

RHC
 
N

no wires showing

Frankie,
Try to do just a little bit of research before slamming
nationals,or dealers for nationals. Price should NEVER be an issue in
security. QUALITY! This isn't a dining room set, or lawn sprinklers.
These people are looking for Life Safety Devices, and shopping on price
is not a wise move.

"Oh we've had Joe Blow Alarm Company for 15 years and never had a
problem. Whenever the alarm goes off they call right away"

What's wrong with that statement? Simple. Joe Blow's response time for
False Alarms is on the money, but Joe Blow's system falses too damn
much.

"Well my friend has a Joe Blow alarm system, and they never had
trouble"

Do we know if Joe Blow's system is functioning properly? Does Joe Blow
really tell his client's to test their system weekly? Does Joe Blow
jump zones rather than repairing faulty devices? It only takes one
incident to destroy a national's reputation but Joe Blow skates. Why?
Because Joe only has 200 accounts when the national has over half a
million. Nationals need to be right 100% of the time or they are
hammered by small dealers. Look at Bass. Think of the people he has
suckered over the years. No problems with some of his installs because
he jumped zones. You don't think Bass was ever referred to someone
because the existing sucker never had a problem? Bass isn't all by
himself in the shoddy business society. The difference is Bass was
busted time and time again in this forum, but I'd bet money to this day
there are people who still think their system from the local guy (bass)
still works fine. Wait until they find out that heat detector isn't
connected.


See if the Central station is U.L. Listed, and I.Q. Certified. Make
sure the installing company is also licensed & I.Q Certified.
As Jack stated 90 some odd percent of all signals are false alarms. The
I.Q. Certification Board's #1 goal is the reduction of false alarms.
Joe Blow Alarm Company can always offer a better deal than the next guy
because Joe Blow Alarm Company doesn't use quality equipment,
fire-rated wire, and doesn't answer to anyone. Joe Blow can use that
$2.00 per month monitoring station that ass nuggets like Bass use. Joe
Blow won't offer a client a system relocation. All Joe Blow can do is
tell you why someone else is no good. Fact is, if Joe Blow Alarm
Company was that damn good then Joe Blow Alarm Company would be bigger
than they are, and have awards to show just how much better they are.

Yap yap yap until the cows come home but the proof is in the pudding.

Stop advising people to eliminate choices with blanket statements.
Look at the post from RHC in this thread and see if you can spot a
problem with "local service".
RHC went on vacation (which is great.... more power to him) but who was
left minding the shop?
Someone who in his own words doesn't fully understand the industry.
What happened to any potential service issues during that time? Who
took care of the customers? Was it someone who was fully aware of the
industry, and someone who knows how to handle any service issue?
How long should a customer wait until their system is functioning at
100%.
This isn't a pot shot at anyone Frank, but this isn't the Goodwill
Society either so if offense is taken so be it.
Most of us in this industry are in it to protect lives. How safe does
Mrs. Customer feel when her alarm is on the blink and that "reputable
local dealer" is 2,000 miles away wiping bugs off the windshield?
If the local dealer has another local covering for him then what does
that say? It says the installing dealer wasn't really the best because
another local dealer was just as good as him. Or does it say "well
customer, settle for second best because my one man show is on the
road"?
It's sad how "advise" (Canadian version) is spewed out about who is
good and who isn't when the bottom line is you don't really have a
fucking clue if you're right or not. Having a few beers with someone,
or trading emails doesn't make them a reputable dealer, nor does
someone listed on your website have a reputation that you know for fact
is good. All you do is spout off hearsay, and in this business that's
just irresponsible.
I've been a local dealer, and I've been a dealer for nationals. Were my
installers any better when we didn't have the national shingle?

(BTW - **** you Bass in advance for your future comments. I could out
install your slob ass with a Yankee drill, a dull bit, and both arms in
a sling).

I've cracked jokes about my installation abilities over the years but I
can guarantee you you'd be hard pressed to find someone you'd rather
have install or service your system than me or any of my techs. Mark
Leuck and I crack jokes about the millions of phone calls I've made to
him with questions but what we never talk about is the reason being
that I service DSC, Moose, AT&T, ITI, Ademco, Napco, DS, Radionics,
MyAlarm, and on and on and on. All of my training has been Baptism by
Fire. I don't sit back and read a manual so I can post answers in a
newsgroup. I get a call today for a panel I never worked with and by
tomorrow I have it repaired. And as Mark can also attest to I am not
alone in this area.

Do you think all locals immediately become inept once a national hands
them a shingle?

Rojas services for nationals and was also a dealer. Is he on the
"dark-side" of installers now? Bob Skinner was an ADT dealer. How
shoddy is his work? How about Bossman? He's a Monitronics dealer. Does
his work suck? Are his clients screwed?

How solid is your advice now Frank? How solid is your "atta boy Frank"
now RHC?
Stop bullshitting people already with your nickel and dime scare
tactics about nationals, and start worrying about your own credibility
because with the advice you offer you're both in desperate need of
some.

Don't like what I am saying? Remind me tomorrow to pretend I give a
shit.
 
F

Frank Olson

no wires showing said:
Frankie,
Try to do just a little bit of research before slamming
nationals,or dealers for nationals.


Where have I "slammed nationals or dealers for nationals"?? We do work for
"nationals" on a regular basis. There's no way I would "bite a hand that
feeds me". That's RLB's style, not mine.

Price should NEVER be an issue in
security. QUALITY! This isn't a dining room set, or lawn sprinklers.
These people are looking for Life Safety Devices, and shopping on price
is not a wise move.

I believe I said that (only in not so many words).

"Oh we've had Joe Blow Alarm Company for 15 years and never had a
problem. Whenever the alarm goes off they call right away"

What's wrong with that statement? Simple. Joe Blow's response time for
False Alarms is on the money, but Joe Blow's system falses too damn
much.

How many of the "falses" are user related in your example, though?? What's
to keep "a national" from experiencing the same level of falses from a
klutzy user??

"Well my friend has a Joe Blow alarm system, and they never had
trouble"

Most people would interpret a statement like that to mean:

- They're always "there" when you need them,
- Their equipment is top notch,
- They've never had a break-in (or the authorities responded to an attempt
at one)

Do we know if Joe Blow's system is functioning properly?

Do we know "the nationals" is??
Does Joe Blow
really tell his client's to test their system weekly?

Checked your keypads lately?? It says "test system weekly" on most of them.
Does Joe Blow
jump zones rather than repairing faulty devices?

Do the "nationals"?? Crummy installers and ditzy service techs are also
employed by "nationals", you know. I've met my fair share, thank you.

It only takes one
incident to destroy a national's reputation but Joe Blow skates.

Wrong. Both the "national" and "Joe Blow" (using your example of "we've
never had any trouble") would stand behind the equipment they sell and "make
it right" with the customer on any "one incident".
Why?
Because Joe only has 200 accounts when the national has over half a
million. Nationals need to be right 100% of the time or they are
hammered by small dealers.

The "Nationals" deserve the bad reps they got a number of years back when
they introduced the "low down" and "free" alarm "packages". Any local
Dealer savvy enough to see that this type of system didn't really address a
customer's security concerns could capitalize on it. Many people that got
"sucked in" to purchasing such a lousy system and then wound up having an
"incident" would be asking "why didn't you provide me *this* level of
protection when I first signed up?"
Look at Bass.

You comparing Bass Home with a "national" now?? He's a parts pusher who
doesn't provide service, or installation and still claims the CS he's using
is "UL Listed".
Think of the people he has
suckered over the years.

Twelve at last count at the BBB (and rising).
No problems with some of his installs because
he jumped zones.

I'll take your word for it. I've never seen one of his installs and
probably never will.
You don't think Bass was ever referred to someone
because the existing sucker never had a problem?

I'm sure he was. I understand he was "big" with Jewish Community.
Bass isn't all by
himself in the shoddy business society.

Like I said, I can't comment on Bass providing "shoddy service". I've never
seen one of his installs. I *have* seen the competitions though.
The difference is Bass was
busted time and time again in this forum, but I'd bet money to this day
there are people who still think their system from the local guy (bass)
still works fine. Wait until they find out that heat detector isn't
connected.

"Busting his balls" in the forum isn't the same as getting nailed for
"shoddy workmanship" or "unlicensed activity" in your local area. There's
been a couple of instances where both has happened to one of the "big three"
here in Vancouver (ISTR the CEO of Tyco got "nailed" recently).

See if the Central station is U.L. Listed, and I.Q. Certified. Make
sure the installing company is also licensed & I.Q Certified.
As Jack stated 90 some odd percent of all signals are false alarms. The
I.Q. Certification Board's #1 goal is the reduction of false alarms.

Right. So what method does "the Board" recommend you use to reduce false
alarms caused by a klutzy end-user?? Shoot the f**ker?? Cut off his
hands??

Joe Blow Alarm Company can always offer a better deal than the next guy
because Joe Blow Alarm Company doesn't use quality equipment,

Excuse me?? We onliest use the bestust relays and high quality chrome
plated pull chains.

fire-rated wire,

Is that anything like asbestos covered steel supports that had a "two hour"
fire rating??
and doesn't answer to anyone.

I always answer my phone... when I feel like it.
Joe Blow can use that
$2.00 per month monitoring station that ass nuggets like Bass use.

We use third party monitoring as well... They're ULC listed, and their
staff are all SIA trained.
Joe
Blow won't offer a client a system relocation.

I would in a heartbeat!! "You wanna move this equipment to where, Mr.
Customer?? That'll cost ya about $300.00 plus airfare, hotel, and
entertainment!"
All Joe Blow can do is
tell you why someone else is no good.

Well thank you, Joe... errmmmm... I mean Tom...
Fact is, if Joe Blow Alarm
Company was that damn good then Joe Blow Alarm Company would be bigger
than they are, and have awards to show just how much better they are.

Not if the owner (in this case Joe Blow) decided he wanted to concentrate on
providing good service and value for money (like Bob Campbell). In Bob's
case, the business "grows" by referral and he can "pick and choose" who he
wants to do business with. I'm sure that his son is going to have to make a
decision sooner or later to hire addtional support staff and service techs.
Besides, when "Joe Blow Alarm Company" gets to a certain size, they usually
wind up selling out to a "national" for a "sweet-heart deal"... :))

Yap yap yap until the cows come home but the proof is in the pudding.

When the cows come home you have to milk them first before you can make
pudding.

Stop advising people to eliminate choices with blanket statements.

I don't think I did...

Look at the post from RHC in this thread and see if you can spot a
problem with "local service".

Yep. That problem's covered though (in RHC's case). When Bass goes on
vacation the whole store goes to s**t.

RHC went on vacation (which is great.... more power to him) but who was
left minding the shop?

Ummmm... His son??

Someone who in his own words doesn't fully understand the industry.

Heh... He's also stated that he does most of the installs. I figure he
probably has good trouble-shooting skills as well. Besides, there's always
the "cell phone"...

What happened to any potential service issues during that time? Who
took care of the customers? Was it someone who was fully aware of the
industry, and someone who knows how to handle any service issue?
How long should a customer wait until their system is functioning at
100%.

About two hours (I figure)...

This isn't a pot shot at anyone Frank, but this isn't the Goodwill
Society either so if offense is taken so be it.

No offense taken... and none given...

It's sad how "advise" (Canadian version) is spewed out about who is
good and who isn't when the bottom line is you don't really have a
fucking clue if you're right or not.

Awww... give me a break... Nothing I've said hasn't been said already.
Check out:

http://www.alarm.org/pressreleases/10tips.html
Having a few beers with someone,
or trading emails doesn't make them a reputable dealer, nor does
someone listed on your website have a reputation that you know for fact
is good. All you do is spout off hearsay, and in this business that's
just irresponsible.

Heh... I've never listed anyone on my website by "reputation". And I've
never "spouted off" hearsay.

I've been a local dealer, and I've been a dealer for nationals. Were my
installers any better when we didn't have the national shingle?

Nope. I think I've already alluded to that.

(BTW - **** you Bass in advance for your future comments. I could out
install your slob ass with a Yankee drill, a dull bit, and both arms in
a sling).

You forgot to mention "both legs in a cast".

I've cracked jokes about my installation abilities over the years but I
can guarantee you you'd be hard pressed to find someone you'd rather
have install or service your system than me or any of my techs. Mark
Leuck and I crack jokes about the millions of phone calls I've made to
him with questions but what we never talk about is the reason being
that I service DSC, Moose, AT&T, ITI, Ademco, Napco, DS, Radionics,
MyAlarm, and on and on and on. All of my training has been Baptism by
Fire. I don't sit back and read a manual so I can post answers in a
newsgroup. I get a call today for a panel I never worked with and by
tomorrow I have it repaired. And as Mark can also attest to I am not
alone in this area.

I seriously doubt you'd be able to repair/program a panel without first
reading it's manual. I don't think Mark would tolerate many phone calls
from Dealers that require answering a question that's already covered *in
the freakin' manual*. Not reading the manual is pure laziness. Posting
stupid questions in this Newsgroup when you've got the manual in front of
you is equally lazy.

Do you think all locals immediately become inept once a national hands
them a shingle?

Yep!!! :))

Rojas services for nationals and was also a dealer. Is he on the
"dark-side" of installers now? Bob Skinner was an ADT dealer. How
shoddy is his work? How about Bossman? He's a Monitronics dealer. Does
his work suck? Are his clients screwed?

Hey!!! We do work for "nationals" too!!! I guess that means Robert's been
right all along... I know nothing about alarms... :))

How solid is your advice now Frank? How solid is your "atta boy Frank"
now RHC?

'Bout as "solid" as this post (which looks more like an example from RLB's
poison keyboard more and more)...

Stop bullshitting people already with your nickel and dime scare
tactics about nationals, and start worrying about your own credibility
because with the advice you offer you're both in desperate need of
some.


Don't like what I am saying? Remind me tomorrow to pretend I give a
shit.

Write me when you start making sense and have actually *read* what I posted,
OK?? Till then... "Below me"... :))
 
N

Norm Mugford

Frank Olson said:
He has to. That way people can pass him using the road shoulders on either
side. :))
Oh Yes!...The picture is very clear now.......
 
B

Bob Worthy

Roberto said:
Does anyone know the percentage of false alarms calls for DIY installs vs
professional installs?

Bob

That would be a tough one. It isn't tracked separately at the PD's. I am
afraid the number of DIY and Pro installs are so far apart that it would be
hard to compare and I don't really know what percentage of DIY's are
monitored as compared to those that are local or that simply page someone.
If I had to guess, although I am sure there may be some talented people that
are very capable of installing a security system, on a percentage basis, I
would think there would be more false alarms from a DIY install, if for
nothing else, simply the learning curve.
 
R

R.H.Campbell

That's definately a difficult question to answer and I certainly don't have
the answer. And, my experience with DIY installs is small since most
installations are non-monitored and I don't deal in "toy alarms". But the
very few that do come to me must be inspected carefully before I hook them
up. I can honestly say that everyone I've inspected is at least as good as
the poorest professional installation I've seen (and granted, that's damn
poor). But far and away, I find they are usually overengineered to the
extreme. The guy has made all sorts of cross connections outside the panel
which he didn't have to do; however, the joints are soldered (something that
a professional almost never does, since B connections are completely
reliable). Mistakes he's made are simple to correct since everything is
usually external, and the contacts are usually the commercial grade units
mounted externally on the door.

So what they don't do on one hand (proper positioning, B connections,
internal wiring), they make up for by using techniques which by themselves
likely are as secure as they need to be (external door contacts which are
hard to mess up compared to hidden contacts)

Bottom line, the "jury's still out" on that question. But DIY installs are
probably not worse than the worst of the professional installs when all is
said and done, and in most cases, at least as good, and in a few cases, far
better.

(ain't that a mouthful of nothing.....:))))

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

Vicky

Hi, http://www.jec-cctv.com/enindex.asp
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professional designer, manufacturer and sales company
of CCTV lines and security & safety lines, mainly dealing in pan/tilt, dome
and enclosure. In the past few years, it has
rapidly developed and become one of the largest manufacturers in Mainland
China in the scope of the above product lines. ,
Being one of the largest manufacturers of the above products in China,we
believe that the high quality is the solid
foundation of our existence and leading position in the industry. To achieve
the aim of Superior quality and satisfactory
service, we are continuously striving to improve the quality of both our
products and service. Now we got the ISO 9001:2000
Certificate of TUV and CE Approval.
¡¡
We always pay the close attention to the international market trend and the
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time, we can manufacture the products
as the buyer's special demands. Also we look upon R&D activities as the
foundation of our company's development.
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Taiwan.We can supply our own JEC brand
and provide OEM/ODM products without brands.

¡¡We are looking forward to cooperating with you in the future.

Miss Han

Tianjin Jia Jie Electronics Co Ltd
3/F, CD-B Nankai Industry Area, Ya'an Road, Nankai, Tianjin China (mainland)
300190
Tel: (86 22) 27687101; (86 22) 27681466 Ext: 2023; Fax: (86 22) 27687096
email : [email protected] ,
MSN; [email protected]
 
N

no wires showing

Frank Olson Jul 9, 4:28 pm show options

Newsgroups: alt.security.alarms
From: "Frank Olson" <[email protected]> - Find messages by this author

Date: Sat, 09 Jul 2005 20:28:11 GMT
Local: Sat,Jul 9 2005 4:28 pm
Subject: Re: Looking to purchase alarm system - suggestions?
Reply | Reply to Author | Forward | Print | View Thread | Show original
| Report Abuse




Frankie,
Try to do just a little bit of research before slamming
nationals,or dealers for nationals.

Where have I "slammed nationals or dealers for nationals"?? We do work for
"nationals" on a regular basis. There's no way I would "bite a hand
that
feeds me". That's RLB's style, not mine.<

Frankie you've been slamming nationals for years. Denial isn't a river
in Egypt.

Price should NEVER be an issue in
security. QUALITY! This isn't a dining room set, or lawn sprinklers.
These people are looking for Life Safety Devices, and shopping on price
is not a wise move.

I believe I said that (only in not so many words).<

Next time use more words then. Dumb fckin Canadians always confusing
people.

"Oh we've had Joe Blow Alarm Company for 15 years and never had a
problem. Whenever the alarm goes off they call right away"

What's wrong with that statement? Simple. Joe Blow's response time for
False Alarms is on the money, but Joe Blow's system falses too damn
much.


How many of the "falses" are user related in your example, though?? What's
to keep "a national" from experiencing the same level of falses from a
klutzy user??<

Properly training the end user will reduce false alarms. Quality
equipment and fire rated wiring will also help. While some nationals
are absolute shitbags there are some who demand much higher standards
than any local I've ever seen.
If it came down to a choice between Joe Blow and Protect America I
would go with Joe Blow but if you're comparing Joe Blow to say Westec
then Westec is where my money is at.

"Well my friend has a Joe Blow alarm system, and they never had
trouble"


Most people would interpret a statement like that to mean:

- They're always "there" when you need them,
- Their equipment is top notch,
- They've never had a break-in (or the authorities responded to an
attempt
at one)<

Frankie customers don't have a real clue as to the quality of their
service, and customers hate admitting they made a bad choice.


Do we know if Joe Blow's system is functioning properly?


Do we know "the nationals" is??<

Not with all of them. I've seen jumped zones on ADT panels just as many
times as I've seen jumped zones on the local company's panels.

Does Joe Blow
really tell his client's to test their system weekly?

Checked your keypads lately?? It says "test system weekly" on most of them.<

Know of many customers who actually do it? How many customers know to
look in the panel for jumped zones?
Come on down here and see what the "locals" offer. Windows & doors all
on the same zone because they're too cheap to buy an expander.

Does Joe Blow
jump zones rather than repairing faulty devices?

Do the "nationals"?? Crummy installers and ditzy service techs are also
employed by "nationals", you know. I've met my fair share, thank you.
<

I've met them from all walks of life, but with a national there is
backup. Nationals tend to have more installers in their local offices
than Joe Blow. If Joe Blow is a 1 man show like your pal in Sarasota
then what recourse does the end user have?

It only takes one
incident to destroy a national's reputation but Joe Blow skates.

Wrong. Both the "national" and "Joe Blow" (using your example of "we've
never had any trouble") would stand behind the equipment they sell and
"make
it right" with the customer on any "one incident".<

I've seen more locals than nationals walk away from trouble systems,
leaving the customer high & dry.

Why?
Because Joe only has 200 accounts when the national has over half a
million. Nationals need to be right 100% of the time or they are
hammered by small dealers.

The "Nationals" deserve the bad reps they got a number of years back when
they introduced the "low down" and "free" alarm "packages". Any local
Dealer savvy enough to see that this type of system didn't really
address a
customer's security concerns could capitalize on it. Many people that
got
"sucked in" to purchasing such a lousy system and then wound up having
an
"incident" would be asking "why didn't you provide me *this* level of
protection when I first signed up?"<

Those "low down/free systems" have done more to bolster our industry
than any other form of marketing.
Crunch the numbers and see the amount of systems installed since the
inception of these low down systems.

Look at Bass.

You comparing Bass Home with a "national" now?? He's a parts pusher who
doesn't provide service, or installation and still claims the CS he's
using
is "UL Listed".<

No ya numbnut I was comparing Bass with a local dealer. How many of his
victims even know they were duped by him? I saw the clowns installs,
and he made the crappiest installer look like a pro.

Think of the people he has
suckered over the years.

Twelve at last count at the BBB (and rising).<

Not his online racket. I'm talking about his CT installs.

No problems with some of his installs because
he jumped zones.

I'll take your word for it. I've never seen one of his installs and
probably never will.<

You'd die laughing if you did.

You don't think Bass was ever referred to someone
because the existing sucker never had a problem?

I'm sure he was. I understand he was "big" with Jewish Community.<

Like a bacon sandwich in Temple Beth El.

Bass isn't all by
himself in the shoddy business society.

Like I said, I can't comment on Bass providing "shoddy service". I've never
seen one of his installs. I *have* seen the competitions though.<

I'm not sure how many installs you have seen but from my experience the
local dealers here need some sort of policing.
Guys like Jack Stevens are a dying breed (at their age they're on
borrowed time too). Locals try to compete with nationals and most I've
seen can't do it without taking shortcuts.

The difference is Bass was
busted time and time again in this forum, but I'd bet money to this day
there are people who still think their system from the local guy (bass)
still works fine. Wait until they find out that heat detector isn't
connected.

"Busting his balls" in the forum isn't the same as getting nailed for
"shoddy workmanship" or "unlicensed activity" in your local area.
There's
been a couple of instances where both has happened to one of the "big
three"
here in Vancouver (ISTR the CEO of Tyco got "nailed" recently). <

You're the big Google guru so post the old news articles on ADT
installers arrested for breaking into homes, but when you do it make
sure to add installers for local companies.
That's what's really scary.

See if the Central station is U.L. Listed, and I.Q. Certified. Make
sure the installing company is also licensed & I.Q Certified.
As Jack stated 90 some odd percent of all signals are false alarms. The
I.Q. Certification Board's #1 goal is the reduction of false alarms.


Right. So what method does "the Board" recommend you use to reduce false
alarms caused by a klutzy end-user?? Shoot the f**ker?? Cut off his
hands??<

Training training training training and more training.

Joe Blow Alarm Company can always offer a better deal than the next guy
because Joe Blow Alarm Company doesn't use quality equipment,

Excuse me?? We onliest use the bestust relays and high quality chrome
plated pull chains.<

Loxxons for everyone!

fire-rated wire,

Is that anything like asbestos covered steel supports that had a "two hour"
fire rating??<

It's like a left-handed toothbrush.

and doesn't answer to anyone.

I always answer my phone... when I feel like it.<

Who calls you anyway? I wouldn't. You spell like a retard so you must
be dribbling on the phone too :)

Joe Blow can use that
$2.00 per month monitoring station that ass nuggets like Bass use.

We use third party monitoring as well... They're ULC listed, and their
staff are all SIA trained.<


Would you say that's the exception and not the rule?

Joe
Blow won't offer a client a system relocation.

I would in a heartbeat!! "You wanna move this equipment to where, Mr.
Customer?? That'll cost ya about $300.00 plus airfare, hotel, and
entertainment!" <

So in other words NO?

All Joe Blow can do is
tell you why someone else is no good.

Well thank you, Joe... errmmmm... I mean Tom...<


Too much eggnog?
Fact is, if Joe Blow Alarm
Company was that damn good then Joe Blow Alarm Company would be bigger
than they are, and have awards to show just how much better they are.

Not if the owner (in this case Joe Blow) decided he wanted to concentrate on
providing good service and value for money (like Bob Campbell). In
Bob's
case, the business "grows" by referral and he can "pick and choose" who
he
wants to do business with. I'm sure that his son is going to have to
make a
decision sooner or later to hire addtional support staff and service
techs.
Besides, when "Joe Blow Alarm Company" gets to a certain size, they
usually
wind up selling out to a "national" for a "sweet-heart deal"... :)) <

Have you seen any of his installs? He might be the greatest installer
alive but have you seen any of his installs?
It's just hearsay until you actually do.
Yap yap yap until the cows come home but the proof is in the pudding.


When the cows come home you have to milk them first before you can make
pudding.<

Milk a bull

Stop advising people to eliminate choices with blanket statements.


I don't think I did...<

You have done it before. You post so damn much you can't keep track of
your own blabbering.

Look at the post from RHC in this thread and see if you can spot a
problem with "local service".

Yep. That problem's covered though (in RHC's case). When Bass goes on
vacation the whole store goes to s**t. <

And how many Bassholes are there as opposed to RHCs?

RHC went on vacation (which is great.... more power to him) but who was
left minding the shop?

Ummmm... His son??<

How qualified is his son? (mind you RHC is the example of a small
dealer Frankie. We're not discussing his son per say but companies
constructed the same way). What if his son isn't qualified? When will a
Father ever admit his son is incapable? RHC isn't the only father/son
company out there.

Someone who in his own words doesn't fully understand the industry.

Heh... He's also stated that he does most of the installs. I figure he
probably has good trouble-shooting skills as well. Besides, there's
always
the "cell phone"...<


He's "stated" but where is the proof? It's still hearsay Frankie.

What happened to any potential service issues during that time? Who
took care of the customers? Was it someone who was fully aware of the
industry, and someone who knows how to handle any service issue?
How long should a customer wait until their system is functioning at
100%.

About two hours (I figure)...<

You GUESS

This isn't a pot shot at anyone Frank, but this isn't the Goodwill
Society either so if offense is taken so be it.

No offense taken... and none given...<

I must be losing my touch :)

<snip>


It's sad how "advise" (Canadian version) is spewed out about who is
good and who isn't when the bottom line is you don't really have a
fucking clue if you're right or not.

Awww... give me a break... Nothing I've said hasn't been said already.
Check out:<

You just did it in your reply.




Having a few beers with someone,
or trading emails doesn't make them a reputable dealer, nor does
someone listed on your website have a reputation that you know for fact
is good. All you do is spout off hearsay, and in this business that's
just irresponsible.

Heh... I've never listed anyone on my website by "reputation". And I've
never "spouted off" hearsay. <

You just did. Now what is the criteria to be listed on your website?
Tell me what you do to protect end users from shoddy installers?
Do you investigate these companies, and if so, how?

I've been a local dealer, and I've been a dealer for nationals. Were my
installers any better when we didn't have the national shingle?

Nope. I think I've already alluded to that.<
OK


(BTW - **** you Bass in advance for your future comments. I could out
install your slob ass with a Yankee drill, a dull bit, and both arms in
a sling).


You forgot to mention "both legs in a cast".<

And under sedation

I've cracked jokes about my installation abilities over the years but I
can guarantee you you'd be hard pressed to find someone you'd rather
have install or service your system than me or any of my techs. Mark
Leuck and I crack jokes about the millions of phone calls I've made to
him with questions but what we never talk about is the reason being
that I service DSC, Moose, AT&T, ITI, Ademco, Napco, DS, Radionics,
MyAlarm, and on and on and on. All of my training has been Baptism by
Fire. I don't sit back and read a manual so I can post answers in a
newsgroup. I get a call today for a panel I never worked with and by
tomorrow I have it repaired. And as Mark can also attest to I am not
alone in this area.


I seriously doubt you'd be able to repair/program a panel without first
reading it's manual. I don't think Mark would tolerate many phone
calls
from Dealers that require answering a question that's already covered
*in
the freakin' manual*. Not reading the manual is pure laziness.
Posting
stupid questions in this Newsgroup when you've got the manual in front
of
you is equally lazy. <


Frankie in most situations when it's your first time with the panel
there is no time to read the manual so you wire up the different panels
properly and have someone walk you through programming, and the next
time you run into that system you should have it down in spades.
Mind you I'm talking about panels that aren't amongst the most popular
choices, and panels that are no longer in production.
Mark dammit explain it in English to the Canuck.

Do you think all locals immediately become inept once a national hands
them a shingle?


Yep!!! :)) <

You really do want a fckin wedgie don't you?

Rojas services for nationals and was also a dealer. Is he on the
"dark-side" of installers now? Bob Skinner was an ADT dealer. How
shoddy is his work? How about Bossman? He's a Monitronics dealer. Does
his work suck? Are his clients screwed?


Hey!!! We do work for "nationals" too!!! I guess that means Robert's been
right all along... I know nothing about alarms... :))<

Bass thinks Augustus Pope was the ruler of Vatican City.

How solid is your advice now Frank? How solid is your "atta boy Frank"
now RHC?


'Bout as "solid" as this post (which looks more like an example from RLB's
poison keyboard more and more)...<

It was the burgers.

Stop bullshitting people already with your nickel and dime scare
tactics about nationals, and start worrying about your own credibility
because with the advice you offer you're both in desperate need of
some.


Don't like what I am saying? Remind me tomorrow to pretend I give a
shit.


Write me when you start making sense and have actually *read* what I posted,
OK?? Till then... "Below me"... :)) <

"Below me"? Going UFO hunting now too?
 
J. Sloud said:
Some facts they may not tell you...

Almost all alarm calls are for false alarms - well over 90% of the
time the police get a call for a residential burglar alarm it turns
out to be false. Because of this, many police departments have
stopped responding to non-verified alarm calls. Those agencies who do
respond, assume that the alarm call will be a false and it gets lowest
priority. Most of the alarms are caused by users failing to turn the
system off in time, faulty equipment, bad installations, power surges
etc.

Actually I would have thought the % of false alarms would be even
higher - when I was in high school I interned at a police precinct,
they had a policy that if there were 3 false alarms at a location
within a certain amount of time, they would no longer respond to an
alarm call at that address for a period of 30 days.
Poilce departments have started charging false alarm fees, sometimes
running hundreds of dollars.

Typical police response time is 30 minutes or more in many locations -
if they come at all.

It's been my experience that the vast majority of break-ins occur when
the homeowner is gone (I work in law enforcement) - I have almost never
seen a true home invasion (the few that do occur almost always involve
parties who know each other and there's something else going on). That
said, when I was a teenager our home was burglarized when we were home
upstairs asleep at 4 AM, so I'm well aware that it does happen. I know
that the likelihood that my home will be broken into is not very high,
and the likelihood of it happening when I'm home is practically nil,
but I still would like the peace of mind of having a security system -
and if I'm going to go to the trouble, I'd like a good one that will
work when it needs to (of course I don't want to break the bank
either).

Based on the advice in this thread, I did find a local alarm company
that I'm going to be meeting with this week and see what they have to
say. I'll probably make my decision in a week or so, hopefully it
won't be too complicated :)
 
F

Frank Olson

Frankie you've been slamming nationals for years. Denial isn't a river
in Egypt.

You're confusing me with someone else. I've been a big supporter of the
local ADT branch for years.


Next time use more words then. Dumb fckin Canadians always confusing
people.

It's "Dumb fckin Amuricans" that can't read no-how... Don't spell things
right... and still believe theres justification in invading a sovereign
nation...


Properly training the end user will reduce false alarms.

Heh... in your dreams...
Quality
equipment and fire rated wiring will also help.

"Check" (on the quality equipment). How will "fire rated wiring" help??
While some nationals
are absolute shitbags there are some who demand much higher standards
than any local I've ever seen.

You've obviously never heard of a procedures manual...

If it came down to a choice between Joe Blow and Protect America I
would go with Joe Blow but if you're comparing Joe Blow to say Westec
then Westec is where my money is at.

Really?? You were just slamming "Joe Blow". There used to be a "Westec" in
Edmonton, but they sold out to the Borg.

- They're always "there" when you need them,
- Their equipment is top notch,
- They've never had a break-in (or the authorities responded to an
attempt
at one)<

Frankie customers don't have a real clue as to the quality of their
service, and customers hate admitting they made a bad choice.

Aux contraire, mon ami... Customers know ze qualitez of their ser-rveese
ver-r-ry well... (at least ours do).

Not with all of them. I've seen jumped zones on ADT panels just as many
times as I've seen jumped zones on the local company's panels.

But you're "defending" a "national installation" over Joe Blows. Make up
your freekin' mind, ya damn Yank. "We done found no weapons of mass
destruction, but we done proved our weapons of mass destruction shure do
work!"

Know of many customers who actually do it?

That's a personal choice. Some can't be bothered... others take their
security far more seriously.
How many customers know to
look in the panel for jumped zones?

Ummmm.... The ones that take their security far more seriously??

Come on down here and see what the "locals" offer. Windows & doors all
on the same zone because they're too cheap to buy an expander.

At least they're protected. It may be a bit of an inconvenience trying to
find the open window when you're in a hurry to leave, but having each device
annunciate individually on your keypad is not a requirement.

employed by "nationals", you know. I've met my fair share, thank you.
<

I've met them from all walks of life, but with a national there is
backup.

Ummmm... would that be from the branch office?? Could it be that the
branch office may consist of one or two service techs (like Joe Blow's
Company)??
Nationals tend to have more installers in their local offices
than Joe Blow.

Heh... right...
If Joe Blow is a 1 man show like your pal in Sarasota
then what recourse does the end user have?

There ya go again... comparing Bass Home with a national (or any alarm
company). He doesn't do installs. He doesn't do service (He does remove
Brinks panels though). Sheesh!!!

never had any trouble") would stand behind the equipment they sell and
"make
it right" with the customer on any "one incident".<

I've seen more locals than nationals walk away from trouble systems,
leaving the customer high & dry.

I haven't seen a lot of examples of that. Vancouver must be "different".
Those "low down/free systems" have done more to bolster our industry
than any other form of marketing.
Crunch the numbers and see the amount of systems installed since the
inception of these low down systems.

Which was the point of my point... Dummy!!!

doesn't provide service, or installation and still claims the CS he's
using
is "UL Listed".<

No ya numbnut I was comparing Bass with a local dealer. How many of his
victims even know they were duped by him? I saw the clowns installs,
and he made the crappiest installer look like a pro.

No matter how ya slice it, Bass isn't a "Dealer" of any kind (except when
he's playin' Poker).

Not his online racket. I'm talking about his CT installs.

Don't know anything about how he installed. And I don't accept third party
comments about another person. I've seen Bass in action in this group and
wouldn't give the guy the time of day let alone allow him in my house to
install a system. That opinion is based entirely on his Newsgroup persona
and nothing else.

probably never will.<

You'd die laughing if you did.

I'm already laughing...

Like a bacon sandwich in Temple Beth El.
Heh!!


seen one of his installs. I *have* seen the competitions though.<

I'm not sure how many installs you have seen but from my experience the
local dealers here need some sort of policing.
Guys like Jack Stevens are a dying breed (at their age they're on
borrowed time too). Locals try to compete with nationals and most I've
seen can't do it without taking shortcuts.

None of the nationals I deal with here and very few of the locals take
"shortcuts". Most customers here are pretty savvy when it comes to alarm
systems.

"shoddy workmanship" or "unlicensed activity" in your local area.
There's
been a couple of instances where both has happened to one of the "big
three"
here in Vancouver (ISTR the CEO of Tyco got "nailed" recently). <

You're the big Google guru so post the old news articles on ADT
installers arrested for breaking into homes, but when you do it make
sure to add installers for local companies.
That's what's really scary.

Funny how the "nationals" always make the news with stuff like that...

alarms caused by a klutzy end-user?? Shoot the f**ker?? Cut off his
hands??<

Training training training training and more training.

Uh-huh... sure...

plated pull chains.<

Loxxons for everyone!

I like mine with a bagel.

fire rating??<

It's like a left-handed toothbrush.

Ahhh... I get the "pitcher".

Who calls you anyway? I wouldn't. You spell like a retard so you must
be dribbling on the phone too :)

Pardon me while I wipe the drool from my keyboard.

staff are all SIA trained.<


Would you say that's the exception and not the rule?

Nope. The industry here is pretty tightly regulated.

Customer?? That'll cost ya about $300.00 plus airfare, hotel, and
entertainment!" <

So in other words NO?

Did I say that??

Too much eggnog?

Puh-leeze!!! It's "Courvoisier". My tastes are much more discriminating.

providing good service and value for money (like Bob Campbell). In
Bob's
case, the business "grows" by referral and he can "pick and choose" who
he
wants to do business with. I'm sure that his son is going to have to
make a
decision sooner or later to hire addtional support staff and service
techs.
Besides, when "Joe Blow Alarm Company" gets to a certain size, they
usually
wind up selling out to a "national" for a "sweet-heart deal"... :)) <

Have you seen any of his installs? He might be the greatest installer
alive but have you seen any of his installs?
It's just hearsay until you actually do.

Nope. I haven't. But I'm a pretty good judge of character. I figure Jim,
Mark, Jim R., RHC, Jack, Jackcsg, Bob L., Bob W., Norm and a few others here
are decent folks. It's actually easier to list the guy "on the dark side"
than all the good people here... :))

pudding.<

Milk a bull

A "bull" ain't a cow, but a cow can be a "bull", right?? :))

You have done it before. You post so damn much you can't keep track of
your own blabbering.

Where?? I done Googled everythin', boss and can't find it nowhere.

vacation the whole store goes to s**t. <

And how many Bassholes are there as opposed to RHCs?

Heh... I ain't gonna touch that!! I promised I wouldn't flame Robert...

How qualified is his son? (mind you RHC is the example of a small
dealer Frankie. We're not discussing his son per say but companies
constructed the same way). What if his son isn't qualified? When will a
Father ever admit his son is incapable? RHC isn't the only father/son
company out there.

Hey!!! Lay off RHC. He's Canadian, dammit!!!

probably has good trouble-shooting skills as well. Besides, there's
always
the "cell phone"...<


He's "stated" but where is the proof? It's still hearsay Frankie.

Nope. When someone states something about their own business or themselves
, that's not hearsay... You should look up the meaning of the word.

You GUESS

What do you think "I figure" means??

I must be losing my touch :)

<snip>



Check out:<

You just did it in your reply.


never "spouted off" hearsay. <

You just did. Now what is the criteria to be listed on your website?

You really want to know?? Or are you just "fishing"??

Tell me what you do to protect end users from shoddy installers?

I onliest hire the bestust beer drinkers and use the bestust qualities
relays and pull chains.

Do you investigate these companies, and if so, how?

Nope. Not my place. If they're licensed (in their State/Province) then
they get listed. The BBB does a pretty good job of keeping tabs on how they
perform. The latest iteration of my "Dealers" page contains a link to the
local BBB and State Alarm Association.

And under sedation
Prozac???


reading it's manual. I don't think Mark would tolerate many phone
calls
from Dealers that require answering a question that's already covered
*in
the freakin' manual*. Not reading the manual is pure laziness.
Posting
stupid questions in this Newsgroup when you've got the manual in front
of
you is equally lazy. <


Frankie in most situations when it's your first time with the panel
there is no time to read the manual so you wire up the different panels
properly and have someone walk you through programming, and the next
time you run into that system you should have it down in spades.
Mind you I'm talking about panels that aren't amongst the most popular
choices, and panels that are no longer in production.
Mark dammit explain it in English to the Canuck.

It doesn't take long for me to read a manual. Understanding the principles
of programming a panel doesn't take long either. I'd never even try to
program a Radionics panel (or one of Jackcsg's "Dippy" ones)... And I don't
waste time on the phone to someone in Texas to try and get him to talk me
through programming when I know some klutzy installer that leaves
"no-wires-showing" needs him more. :))

You really do want a fckin wedgie don't you?

I prefer "Noogies"...

right all along... I know nothing about alarms... :))<

Bass thinks Augustus Pope was the ruler of Vatican City.

Wasn't he??

poison keyboard more and more)...<

It was the burgers.
:))


OK?? Till then... "Below me"... :)) <

"Below me"? Going UFO hunting now too?

Nope. Spooks. I done rewired my volt-meter to detect 'em.
 
Just got a quote from Slomins - they're the only ones so far who have
offered me a hard-wired system. Full installation is $396 for 3 door
sensors, 4 windows, siren, keypad, and motion detector. I have to sign
a five year contract at $25.45/month plus tax (about $27/month or so)
after which I own the equipment. Is this a reasonable deal? Are there
any benefits to hardwired as opposed to wireless? The Slomins guy said
the only reason to go wireless is if I had a lot of windows, it would
be less intrusive to go wireless, but he said that the problem with the
wireless systems is that over time the battery starts to decay and the
effectiveness is reduced. Any thoughts? Thanks!
 
M

Mark Leuck

Just got a quote from Slomins - they're the only ones so far who have
offered me a hard-wired system. Full installation is $396 for 3 door
sensors, 4 windows, siren, keypad, and motion detector. I have to sign
a five year contract at $25.45/month plus tax (about $27/month or so)
after which I own the equipment. Is this a reasonable deal? Are there
any benefits to hardwired as opposed to wireless? The Slomins guy said
the only reason to go wireless is if I had a lot of windows, it would
be less intrusive to go wireless, but he said that the problem with the
wireless systems is that over time the battery starts to decay and the
effectiveness is reduced. Any thoughts? Thanks!

The deal sounds okay but he's dead wrong about wireless sensors, most use
lithium batteries which have a very stable voltage curve, the sensors
themselves have quite a bit of lee-way concerning operating voltages.

In other words the sensors will work correctly and don't reduce
effectiveness due to battery decay
 
C

Crash Gordon®

Sovereign...like Quebec eh?




|
| |
| >
| > Frankie you've been slamming nationals for years. Denial isn't a river
| > in Egypt.
|
| You're confusing me with someone else. I've been a big supporter of the
| local ADT branch for years.
|
|
|
| >>I believe I said that (only in not so many words).<
| >
| > Next time use more words then. Dumb fckin Canadians always confusing
| > people.
|
| It's "Dumb fckin Amuricans" that can't read no-how... Don't spell things
| right... and still believe theres justification in invading a sovereign
| nation...
|
|
|
| >
| > Properly training the end user will reduce false alarms.
|
| Heh... in your dreams...
|
| > Quality
| > equipment and fire rated wiring will also help.
|
| "Check" (on the quality equipment). How will "fire rated wiring" help??
|
| > While some nationals
| > are absolute shitbags there are some who demand much higher standards
| > than any local I've ever seen.
|
| You've obviously never heard of a procedures manual...
|
|
| > If it came down to a choice between Joe Blow and Protect America I
| > would go with Joe Blow but if you're comparing Joe Blow to say Westec
| > then Westec is where my money is at.
|
| Really?? You were just slamming "Joe Blow". There used to be a "Westec" in
| Edmonton, but they sold out to the Borg.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> "Well my friend has a Joe Blow alarm system, and they never had
| >> trouble"
| >
| >
| >
| >>Most people would interpret a statement like that to mean:
| >
| > - They're always "there" when you need them,
| > - Their equipment is top notch,
| > - They've never had a break-in (or the authorities responded to an
| > attempt
| > at one)<
| >
| > Frankie customers don't have a real clue as to the quality of their
| > service, and customers hate admitting they made a bad choice.
|
| Aux contraire, mon ami... Customers know ze qualitez of their ser-rveese
| ver-r-ry well... (at least ours do).
|
|
| >
| >
| >
| >> Do we know if Joe Blow's system is functioning properly?
| >
| >
| >
| >>Do we know "the nationals" is??<
| >
| > Not with all of them. I've seen jumped zones on ADT panels just as many
| > times as I've seen jumped zones on the local company's panels.
|
| But you're "defending" a "national installation" over Joe Blows. Make up
| your freekin' mind, ya damn Yank. "We done found no weapons of mass
| destruction, but we done proved our weapons of mass destruction shure do
| work!"
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Does Joe Blow
| >> really tell his client's to test their system weekly?
| >
| >
| >>Checked your keypads lately?? It says "test system weekly" on most of
| >>them.<
| >
| > Know of many customers who actually do it?
|
| That's a personal choice. Some can't be bothered... others take their
| security far more seriously.
|
| > How many customers know to
| > look in the panel for jumped zones?
|
| Ummmm.... The ones that take their security far more seriously??
|
|
| > Come on down here and see what the "locals" offer. Windows & doors all
| > on the same zone because they're too cheap to buy an expander.
|
| At least they're protected. It may be a bit of an inconvenience trying to
| find the open window when you're in a hurry to leave, but having each device
| annunciate individually on your keypad is not a requirement.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Does Joe Blow
| >> jump zones rather than repairing faulty devices?
| >
| >
| >>Do the "nationals"?? Crummy installers and ditzy service techs are also
| > employed by "nationals", you know. I've met my fair share, thank you.
| > <
| >
| > I've met them from all walks of life, but with a national there is
| > backup.
|
| Ummmm... would that be from the branch office?? Could it be that the
| branch office may consist of one or two service techs (like Joe Blow's
| Company)??
|
| > Nationals tend to have more installers in their local offices
| > than Joe Blow.
|
| Heh... right...
|
| > If Joe Blow is a 1 man show like your pal in Sarasota
| > then what recourse does the end user have?
|
| There ya go again... comparing Bass Home with a national (or any alarm
| company). He doesn't do installs. He doesn't do service (He does remove
| Brinks panels though). Sheesh!!!
|
|
| >
| >
| >> It only takes one
| >> incident to destroy a national's reputation but Joe Blow skates.
| >
| >
| >>Wrong. Both the "national" and "Joe Blow" (using your example of "we've
| > never had any trouble") would stand behind the equipment they sell and
| > "make
| > it right" with the customer on any "one incident".<
| >
| > I've seen more locals than nationals walk away from trouble systems,
| > leaving the customer high & dry.
|
| I haven't seen a lot of examples of that. Vancouver must be "different".
|
| > Those "low down/free systems" have done more to bolster our industry
| > than any other form of marketing.
| > Crunch the numbers and see the amount of systems installed since the
| > inception of these low down systems.
|
| Which was the point of my point... Dummy!!!
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Look at Bass.
| >
| >
| >>You comparing Bass Home with a "national" now?? He's a parts pusher who
| > doesn't provide service, or installation and still claims the CS he's
| > using
| > is "UL Listed".<
| >
| > No ya numbnut I was comparing Bass with a local dealer. How many of his
| > victims even know they were duped by him? I saw the clowns installs,
| > and he made the crappiest installer look like a pro.
|
| No matter how ya slice it, Bass isn't a "Dealer" of any kind (except when
| he's playin' Poker).
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Think of the people he has
| >> suckered over the years.
| >
| >
| >>Twelve at last count at the BBB (and rising).<
| >
| > Not his online racket. I'm talking about his CT installs.
|
| Don't know anything about how he installed. And I don't accept third party
| comments about another person. I've seen Bass in action in this group and
| wouldn't give the guy the time of day let alone allow him in my house to
| install a system. That opinion is based entirely on his Newsgroup persona
| and nothing else.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> No problems with some of his installs because
| >> he jumped zones.
| >
| >
| >>I'll take your word for it. I've never seen one of his installs and
| > probably never will.<
| >
| > You'd die laughing if you did.
|
| I'm already laughing...
|
|
| >
| >
| >> You don't think Bass was ever referred to someone
| >> because the existing sucker never had a problem?
| >
| >
| >>I'm sure he was. I understand he was "big" with Jewish Community.<
| >
| > Like a bacon sandwich in Temple Beth El.
|
| Heh!!
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Bass isn't all by
| >> himself in the shoddy business society.
| >
| >
| >>Like I said, I can't comment on Bass providing "shoddy service". I've
| >>never
| > seen one of his installs. I *have* seen the competitions though.<
| >
| > I'm not sure how many installs you have seen but from my experience the
| > local dealers here need some sort of policing.
| > Guys like Jack Stevens are a dying breed (at their age they're on
| > borrowed time too). Locals try to compete with nationals and most I've
| > seen can't do it without taking shortcuts.
|
| None of the nationals I deal with here and very few of the locals take
| "shortcuts". Most customers here are pretty savvy when it comes to alarm
| systems.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> The difference is Bass was
| >> busted time and time again in this forum, but I'd bet money to this day
| >> there are people who still think their system from the local guy (bass)
| >> still works fine. Wait until they find out that heat detector isn't
| >> connected.
| >
| >
| >>"Busting his balls" in the forum isn't the same as getting nailed for
| > "shoddy workmanship" or "unlicensed activity" in your local area.
| > There's
| > been a couple of instances where both has happened to one of the "big
| > three"
| > here in Vancouver (ISTR the CEO of Tyco got "nailed" recently). <
| >
| > You're the big Google guru so post the old news articles on ADT
| > installers arrested for breaking into homes, but when you do it make
| > sure to add installers for local companies.
| > That's what's really scary.
|
| Funny how the "nationals" always make the news with stuff like that...
|
|
| >
| >
| >> See if the Central station is U.L. Listed, and I.Q. Certified. Make
| >> sure the installing company is also licensed & I.Q Certified.
| >> As Jack stated 90 some odd percent of all signals are false alarms. The
| >> I.Q. Certification Board's #1 goal is the reduction of false alarms.
| >
| >
| >
| >>Right. So what method does "the Board" recommend you use to reduce false
| > alarms caused by a klutzy end-user?? Shoot the f**ker?? Cut off his
| > hands??<
| >
| > Training training training training and more training.
|
| Uh-huh... sure...
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Joe Blow Alarm Company can always offer a better deal than the next guy
| >> because Joe Blow Alarm Company doesn't use quality equipment,
| >
| >
| >>Excuse me?? We onliest use the bestust relays and high quality chrome
| > plated pull chains.<
| >
| > Loxxons for everyone!
|
| I like mine with a bagel.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> fire-rated wire,
| >
| >
| >>Is that anything like asbestos covered steel supports that had a "two
| >>hour"
| > fire rating??<
| >
| > It's like a left-handed toothbrush.
|
| Ahhh... I get the "pitcher".
|
|
| >
| >
| >> and doesn't answer to anyone.
| >
| >
| >>I always answer my phone... when I feel like it.<
| >
| > Who calls you anyway? I wouldn't. You spell like a retard so you must
| > be dribbling on the phone too :)
|
| Pardon me while I wipe the drool from my keyboard.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Joe Blow can use that
| >> $2.00 per month monitoring station that ass nuggets like Bass use.
| >
| >
| >>We use third party monitoring as well... They're ULC listed, and their
| > staff are all SIA trained.<
| >
| >
| > Would you say that's the exception and not the rule?
|
| Nope. The industry here is pretty tightly regulated.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Joe
| >> Blow won't offer a client a system relocation.
| >
| >
| >>I would in a heartbeat!! "You wanna move this equipment to where, Mr.
| > Customer?? That'll cost ya about $300.00 plus airfare, hotel, and
| > entertainment!" <
| >
| > So in other words NO?
|
| Did I say that??
|
|
| >
| >
| >> All Joe Blow can do is
| >> tell you why someone else is no good.
| >
| >
| >>Well thank you, Joe... errmmmm... I mean Tom...<
| >
| >
| > Too much eggnog?
|
| Puh-leeze!!! It's "Courvoisier". My tastes are much more discriminating.
|
|
| >
| >> Fact is, if Joe Blow Alarm
| >> Company was that damn good then Joe Blow Alarm Company would be bigger
| >> than they are, and have awards to show just how much better they are.
| >
| >
| >>Not if the owner (in this case Joe Blow) decided he wanted to concentrate
| >>on
| > providing good service and value for money (like Bob Campbell). In
| > Bob's
| > case, the business "grows" by referral and he can "pick and choose" who
| > he
| > wants to do business with. I'm sure that his son is going to have to
| > make a
| > decision sooner or later to hire addtional support staff and service
| > techs.
| > Besides, when "Joe Blow Alarm Company" gets to a certain size, they
| > usually
| > wind up selling out to a "national" for a "sweet-heart deal"... :)) <
| >
| > Have you seen any of his installs? He might be the greatest installer
| > alive but have you seen any of his installs?
| > It's just hearsay until you actually do.
|
| Nope. I haven't. But I'm a pretty good judge of character. I figure Jim,
| Mark, Jim R., RHC, Jack, Jackcsg, Bob L., Bob W., Norm and a few others here
| are decent folks. It's actually easier to list the guy "on the dark side"
| than all the good people here... :))
|
|
| >
| >> Yap yap yap until the cows come home but the proof is in the pudding.
| >
| >
| >
| >>When the cows come home you have to milk them first before you can make
| > pudding.<
| >
| > Milk a bull
|
| A "bull" ain't a cow, but a cow can be a "bull", right?? :))
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Stop advising people to eliminate choices with blanket statements.
| >
| >
| >
| >>I don't think I did...<
| >
| > You have done it before. You post so damn much you can't keep track of
| > your own blabbering.
|
| Where?? I done Googled everythin', boss and can't find it nowhere.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Look at the post from RHC in this thread and see if you can spot a
| >> problem with "local service".
| >
| >
| >>Yep. That problem's covered though (in RHC's case). When Bass goes on
| > vacation the whole store goes to s**t. <
| >
| > And how many Bassholes are there as opposed to RHCs?
|
| Heh... I ain't gonna touch that!! I promised I wouldn't flame Robert...
|
|
| >
| >
| >> RHC went on vacation (which is great.... more power to him) but who was
| >> left minding the shop?
| >
| >
| >>Ummmm... His son??<
| >
| > How qualified is his son? (mind you RHC is the example of a small
| > dealer Frankie. We're not discussing his son per say but companies
| > constructed the same way). What if his son isn't qualified? When will a
| > Father ever admit his son is incapable? RHC isn't the only father/son
| > company out there.
|
| Hey!!! Lay off RHC. He's Canadian, dammit!!!
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Someone who in his own words doesn't fully understand the industry.
| >
| >
| >>Heh... He's also stated that he does most of the installs. I figure he
| > probably has good trouble-shooting skills as well. Besides, there's
| > always
| > the "cell phone"...<
| >
| >
| > He's "stated" but where is the proof? It's still hearsay Frankie.
|
| Nope. When someone states something about their own business or themselves
| , that's not hearsay... You should look up the meaning of the word.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> What happened to any potential service issues during that time? Who
| >> took care of the customers? Was it someone who was fully aware of the
| >> industry, and someone who knows how to handle any service issue?
| >> How long should a customer wait until their system is functioning at
| >> 100%.
| >
| >
| >>About two hours (I figure)...<
| >
| > You GUESS
|
| What do you think "I figure" means??
|
|
| >
| >
| >> This isn't a pot shot at anyone Frank, but this isn't the Goodwill
| >> Society either so if offense is taken so be it.
| >
| >
| >>No offense taken... and none given...<
| >
| > I must be losing my touch :)
| >
| > <snip>
| >
| >
| >
| >> It's sad how "advise" (Canadian version) is spewed out about who is
| >> good and who isn't when the bottom line is you don't really have a
| >> fucking clue if you're right or not.
| >
| >
| >>Awww... give me a break... Nothing I've said hasn't been said already.
| > Check out:<
| >
| > You just did it in your reply.
| >
|
| <sigh>
|
| >
| >> Having a few beers with someone,
| >> or trading emails doesn't make them a reputable dealer, nor does
| >> someone listed on your website have a reputation that you know for fact
| >> is good. All you do is spout off hearsay, and in this business that's
| >> just irresponsible.
| >
| >
| >>Heh... I've never listed anyone on my website by "reputation". And I've
| > never "spouted off" hearsay. <
| >
| > You just did. Now what is the criteria to be listed on your website?
|
| You really want to know?? Or are you just "fishing"??
|
|
| > Tell me what you do to protect end users from shoddy installers?
|
| I onliest hire the bestust beer drinkers and use the bestust qualities
| relays and pull chains.
|
|
| > Do you investigate these companies, and if so, how?
|
| Nope. Not my place. If they're licensed (in their State/Province) then
| they get listed. The BBB does a pretty good job of keeping tabs on how they
| perform. The latest iteration of my "Dealers" page contains a link to the
| local BBB and State Alarm Association.
|
|
| >
| >
| >> I've been a local dealer, and I've been a dealer for nationals. Were my
| >> installers any better when we didn't have the national shingle?
| >
| >
| >>Nope. I think I've already alluded to that.<
| >
| > OK
| >
| >
| >> (BTW - **** you Bass in advance for your future comments. I could out
| >> install your slob ass with a Yankee drill, a dull bit, and both arms in
| >> a sling).
| >
| >
| >
| >>You forgot to mention "both legs in a cast".<
| >
| > And under sedation
|
| Prozac???
|
|
| >
| >
| >> I've cracked jokes about my installation abilities over the years but I
| >> can guarantee you you'd be hard pressed to find someone you'd rather
| >> have install or service your system than me or any of my techs. Mark
| >> Leuck and I crack jokes about the millions of phone calls I've made to
| >> him with questions but what we never talk about is the reason being
| >> that I service DSC, Moose, AT&T, ITI, Ademco, Napco, DS, Radionics,
| >> MyAlarm, and on and on and on. All of my training has been Baptism by
| >> Fire. I don't sit back and read a manual so I can post answers in a
| >> newsgroup. I get a call today for a panel I never worked with and by
| >> tomorrow I have it repaired. And as Mark can also attest to I am not
| >> alone in this area.
| >
| >
| >
| >>I seriously doubt you'd be able to repair/program a panel without first
| > reading it's manual. I don't think Mark would tolerate many phone
| > calls
| > from Dealers that require answering a question that's already covered
| > *in
| > the freakin' manual*. Not reading the manual is pure laziness.
| > Posting
| > stupid questions in this Newsgroup when you've got the manual in front
| > of
| > you is equally lazy. <
| >
| >
| > Frankie in most situations when it's your first time with the panel
| > there is no time to read the manual so you wire up the different panels
| > properly and have someone walk you through programming, and the next
| > time you run into that system you should have it down in spades.
| > Mind you I'm talking about panels that aren't amongst the most popular
| > choices, and panels that are no longer in production.
| > Mark dammit explain it in English to the Canuck.
|
| It doesn't take long for me to read a manual. Understanding the principles
| of programming a panel doesn't take long either. I'd never even try to
| program a Radionics panel (or one of Jackcsg's "Dippy" ones)... And I don't
| waste time on the phone to someone in Texas to try and get him to talk me
| through programming when I know some klutzy installer that leaves
| "no-wires-showing" needs him more. :))
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Do you think all locals immediately become inept once a national hands
| >> them a shingle?
| >
| >
| >
| >>Yep!!! :)) <
| >
| > You really do want a fckin wedgie don't you?
|
| I prefer "Noogies"...
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Rojas services for nationals and was also a dealer. Is he on the
| >> "dark-side" of installers now? Bob Skinner was an ADT dealer. How
| >> shoddy is his work? How about Bossman? He's a Monitronics dealer. Does
| >> his work suck? Are his clients screwed?
| >
| >
| >
| >>Hey!!! We do work for "nationals" too!!! I guess that means Robert's
| >>been
| > right all along... I know nothing about alarms... :))<
| >
| > Bass thinks Augustus Pope was the ruler of Vatican City.
|
| Wasn't he??
|
|
| >
| >
| >> How solid is your advice now Frank? How solid is your "atta boy Frank"
| >> now RHC?
| >
| >
| >
| >>'Bout as "solid" as this post (which looks more like an example from RLB's
| > poison keyboard more and more)...<
| >
| > It was the burgers.
|
| :))
|
|
| >
| >
| >> Stop bullshitting people already with your nickel and dime scare
| >> tactics about nationals, and start worrying about your own credibility
| >> because with the advice you offer you're both in desperate need of
| >> some.
| >
| >
| > <sigh>
| >
| >
| >> Don't like what I am saying? Remind me tomorrow to pretend I give a
| >> shit.
| >
| >
| >
| >>Write me when you start making sense and have actually *read* what I
| >>posted,
| > OK?? Till then... "Below me"... :)) <
| >
| > "Below me"? Going UFO hunting now too?
|
| Nope. Spooks. I done rewired my volt-meter to detect 'em.
|
|
 
J

Jim

Just got a quote from Slomins - they're the only ones so far who have
offered me a hard-wired system. Full installation is $396 for 3 door
sensors, 4 windows, siren, keypad, and motion detector. I have to sign
a five year contract at $25.45/month plus tax (about $27/month or so)
after which I own the equipment. Is this a reasonable deal? Are there
any benefits to hardwired as opposed to wireless? The Slomins guy said
the only reason to go wireless is if I had a lot of windows, it would
be less intrusive to go wireless, but he said that the problem with the
wireless systems is that over time the battery starts to decay and the
effectiveness is reduced. Any thoughts? Thanks!


Not TOO bad. Most monitoring in this Slomins area, from independent
dealers is somewhere around $18.00 to $20.00 per month. Anywhere from
one year to 5 years.

With what you are getting on the install, it looks like they've just
spread out the balance (of what you would normally pay up front for the
complete job) over the 5 years with a little tacked on for their
"loaning" you the money.

Here's what I consider the down side. In my area,the people who usually
install for Slomins are people who were former sub contractors or
people who haven't been able to hold jobs with independent dealers or
make it on their own in business. Here, there are literally hundreds of
independent alarm companys and every installer, who's got any talent at
all, is working with companys who have customers lined up waiting for
intallations. The people who can't hold jobs with these companys,
usually go to work for Slomins. Secondly, I've been told that you'll
find that service is rather slow coming from Slomins, should you
require it in the future. And, of course, you'll never see the same
person twice. On the other hand, Slomins has gone into the top ten
largest US alarm companies in a relatively short number of years. So,
they have to be doing something right. Just watch out for anything that
sounds like the words FREE. Because you know that you're paying more
for it than most people would, if they paid regular price.

As far as wireless goes, a wired system is better but not for reasons
you'd suspect. Reliability of a wired versus wired system is just about
equal, if both system are installed to the highest quality. But a well
installed wireless system is going to work better than a poorly
installed hard wired system and vice versa. The two disadvantages of
wireless system are, you have to change batteries in the transmitters
every 3 to five years. ( not too bad)and ..... The most difficult thing
to reconcile is that in about 10 years, if a major component fails,
it's possible that the mfg has discontinued that product and there are
no compatable wireless components available. You'll have to replace all
the hardware with the latest wireless system. Hardwired system with
future problems, you only have to replace the failed component.

Advantages are: wireless requires very little disruption of the decor
of your home to install it. If you make sure the equipment you are
having installed is expandable, wireless can be added to, very easily,
in the future, should you decide to increase the scope of your system.
Hardwired no. In my opinion, wireless systems are less suseptable to
lightning damage also. Hardwired systems tend to experience more damage
when they are hit. There is one disadvantage to wireless that has more
to do with the method of installation and not the equipment. Wireless
systems have procedures to follow that will allow an installer to check
the field strenth of the transmitters so that they or the receivers can
be placed at the locations that will provide the very best reception.

Unfortunately, many installers that I've come across, just simply
install the system and if it works ....... it works. If there's bad
reception on a transmitter, they adjust it and just leave the rest of
the system alone. That is, every other transmitter could be one degree
off losing contact ......... and they just leave it that way. I've
experienced that this usually takes place with companies who sell the
"free" or discount systems,...... as the installers are usually under
pressure to install as many systems a day, as possible. And ..... they
are not usually the ones who get the call back for service. But, in
some cases, it's just laziness or ineptness on the installers part,
regardless who they work for.

What disturbs me about your post is that the Slomins salesperson lied
to you about wireless battery decay making wireless systems become less
effective. All major mfgs wireless systems have transmitter low battery
alert, with at least 30 days advance notice. This can be reported to
central station, also. So, if someone with a wireless system can't
change their battery within 30 days of notification ( and notice
remains on the keypad every day)then, that's the only way it could
cause loss of effectiveness. And at that point it's the users fault.
Why the salesperson would feel he had to lie about that simple matter,
makes me wonder. Considering the fact that Slomins has literally
THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS of wireless installations installed.

Hmmm, I wonder..?
 
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