Alarm System Problems
AlanB:
So far, so good on my setup with NextAlarm. All my tests have worked.
Here's what I purchased.
Alarm BroadBand Adapter: http://www.home-technology-store.com/home-security/NA-ABN3A.aspx
I also bought a pair of powerline apdaters: http://amzn.com/B00AWRUICG
The powerline adapters were because I don't have an ethernet port anywhere near my alarm system. I almost went wifi, but it locks up alot. So, I went with the powerLine adapters.
So, last night I call ADT to cancel, and they want to offer me cellular connection and keep my $23.99/mo rate. Why is there always such a hassle before companies quit trying to get more out of you? Cellular is better, but NextAlarm is cheaper and I've already bought the hardware. Not sure what I'm going to do yet.
MurrayB:
Sounds interesting. Please let us know how it goes.
AlanB:
Quote from: MurrayB on May 02, 2014, 05:01:24 pm
Sounds interesting. Please let us know how it goes.
NextAlarm or ADT?
SteveInWA:
Quote from: AlanB on May 02, 2014, 02:03:11 pm
So far, so good on my setup with NextAlarm. All my tests have worked.
Here's what I purchased.
Alarm BroadBand Adapter: http://www.home-technology-store.com/home-security/NA-ABN3A.aspx
I also bought a pair of powerline apdaters: http://amzn.com/B00AWRUICG
The powerline adapters were because I don't have an ethernet port anywhere near my alarm system. I almost went wifi, but it locks up alot. So, I went with the powerLine adapters.
So, last night I call ADT to cancel, and they want to offer me cellular connection and keep my $23.99/mo rate. Why is there always such a hassle before companies quit trying to get more out of you? Cellular is better, but NextAlarm is cheaper and I've already bought the hardware. Not sure what I'm going to do yet.
Hi Alan:
Thanks for sharing your experience (admittedly veering off-topic for Obihai, but hey, that's the way this forum rolls :-) )
So, I am also a long-time ADT customer, "grandfathered" into a lower-rate (which they keep inching up every year). I keep a POTS line primarily for ADT, and for an emergency landline, but I have looked into NextAlarm and the cellular alternatives. Cellular isn't a good option for me, due to signal coverage issues, but I think it's the best alternative to POTS for most people, from a maximum-reliability standpoint, and immunity to criminals cutting phone/broadband/power wires, etc. I would never trust an internet connection via some wireless extender gizmos -- they aren't reliable enough.
The alarm industry's big players are notorious for having nearly-impossible to cancel contracts. They auto-renew for a year or two on your renewal date, with no notice to you, and then demand that you pay off the entire duration of the contract to get out of it, unless you are lucky enough to keep track of the expiration date and cancel during the 30-day period prior to it. Did you run into that when you talked to ADT? I'd say, if they offer you the Telguard or equivalent solution, to go with it.
Otherwise, you'd need to break your contact with ADT, lock them out of killing/disabling your alarm panel, have the panel's password, and either reconfigure it yourself to use a new provider, or have the new provider configure it for you, to use NextAlarm or some other alternative monitoring center. At least, that was my past experience with another <shall remain nameless> national alarm service provider before I moved to ADT.
So, yes, please do let us know what you decided. Were you able to break your contract with ADT?
MurrayB:
I think we all would be interested in how the Next Alarm system and hardware works out. Telguard is a good alternative if you have the cellular coverage.
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