Home Alarm Systems

[Boblobla]

Backstory:

There is an alarm system installed in the house the Mrs. and I bought last year. Since I suffer from Chronic Procratinitus, this system has not been activated. Last night a very nice young gentleman tried to see me an APX alarm system. They are willing to upgrade my sensors, give me 2 new touchscreen keypads and install a smoke and heat detector that is hooked into the fire department for a $100 activation fee.

My questions:

How much is the usual monthly payment, I was offered $44.99/mo, is that cheap or about par for the course?
Is it worth it?
Anyone have any experience with APX?
Any other companies that are recommended or I should steer clear of?


Thanks in advance.


-Bob

[4X4]

You just got cased. Now the kid knows you have no alarm. I bet your TV is already gone.

[burn_this_city]

Almost $50 a month sounds expensive. I think you could shop around and get a better rate.

[bradster57]

$44/month seems kinda steep to me.

[The Yen Man]

I have United Alarm and pay $20 a month. It came with a free install too. Mind you, I don't have the fancy doo-hickeys like touch screen and upgraded sensors.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by 4X4

You just got cased. Now the kid knows you have no alarm. I bet your TV is already gone.

He didn't get to see my TV, all he got to see was my dirty kitchen.

After doing some reading it would appear that APX has some pretty crappy reviews and some good ones. Their equipment seems to be quite nice but the monthly cost is higher than others.

[Bill Bumface]

APX is way better for having awesome gadgets/slick dohickies, but the montly cost is really high.

I'm with Securtek, and I had a fully wireless system put in which looks like 80s technology compared to APX and I pay about $31/mo for 3 years, then it drops to $21/mo.

Almost guaranteed you can get them to drop the $100 activation too.

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I'm with Securtek, and I had a fully wireless system put in which looks like 80s technology compared to APX and I pay about $31/mo for 3 years, then it drops to $21/mo.

Methinks taking security advice from Hulk is a bad idea.

[bc-chris]

my security system is thru vox com - it's $30/month and it reduces my insurance a bit too.

i've never heard of apx - but i know we've had kids come by our place before - i just tell them i'm happy with what i have and that seemed to be the end of it

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

we pay $200 a year through Securtek

Pretty sure it does nothing for me, but whatever.

[csnarpy]

Dude, do not go with APEX - they were reps of ADT and they did such bad installs that ADT bought out all their accounts.

Seriously, they may have kind of good systems (which almost all the companies have) but their installers have the knowledge and wiring skills of 3yr olds.

BTW, 44 a month is ridiculous. You have to have a lot of equipment, mainly life saving (smokes, CO's, etc) to pay those prices.

Since I'm with ADT (just a tech, not a sales rep) I'll do my usual plug. If you like I can hook you up with a rep that I trust. Just give me a pm and give you some info.

Out of all the company's - ADT and Chubb are probably at the top. The others all contract out their monitoring while these 2 companies do not.

The 2 company's to stay away from are Alarmforce and APX.

[pylon]

Dial 1-800-267-2001.....1-800-267-2001 ALAAAAARMFORCE!

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by pylon

Dial 1-800-267-2001.....1-800-267-2001 ALAAAAARMFORCE!

Thanks Joe Matlan, president of Alarm Force. Are you guys listed on the TSX?

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by the yen man

thanks joe matlan, president of alarm force. Are you guys listed on the tsx?

THIS IS THE ALARM FORCE CENTRAL STATION i

[onetwo_threefour]

If you get a dog you can keep burglars and DESS away...

[troutman]

What does it cost a month to feed a dog?

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by troutman

What does it cost a month to feed a dog?

Nothing if you can kill and prepare the homeless and have a freezer to store them in.