Intruder Alarms

Pippah45
Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
1000 Comments
edited January 2017 in General Chat #1

I broke one of my rules the other day and let a salesman in following a cold call about intruder alarms.  I was attracted by the fact that it would be wireless operated and would alert the security firm as well as me on my mobile.  Having lost my really good neighbour before Christmas I liked the idea of some protection and peace of mind when travelling.  Does anyone have experience/recommendations of any House Alarms (this one came complete with a panic button for me to use in the house and the garden)?  I would be grateful for any feedback.   

I can't find the company online - but I notice ADP have various packages although they won't talk any prices until you have seen a salesman!  I think it would be much cheaper to cultivate the new neighbours! 

Comments

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #2

    Be careful Pippa, check the small print before signing.    There are companies who will install such systems for an apparently very attractive price. Where they make their money is on the monitoring contracts.  Charges per month can be very expensive.

    Cheers.................K

      

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited January 2017 #3

    Yale do a wireless system that will contact up 4 different phone numbers. I've just installed one in my house. Very easy to install and program.

    they market several different starter packs and a wide range of add ons including smoke detectors and (I think) cctv cameras.

    a quick search on line will show you what's available from Yale.

     

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #4

    ADT are a UK, well known, intruder alarm company etc.

    ADP are an American, computer systems - security company.

    Con men are often fond of cold calling and sounding like they are from a well known outfit.

     Do please be careful.

    My rule of thumb is 'If I need the product then I will research it then call you'.

    If I didn't call them then I kiss them goodbye.   I.E. I initiate the contact - not them.

     

    Good luck

     

     

  • IanH
    IanH Forum Participant Posts: 4,708
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #5

    Good firms don't cold call......forget them.

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #6

    Any company that wont talk prices without an hour long sales pitch I ignore Pippah

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #7

    Thanks - everyone.   I can't fault these people for handling it all - very well trained staff - but I pulled my "cancellation" rights and that seems to be fine since I didn't part with any money either.  The only fault was the cold calling.  And I meant ADT - their advert states they start at 99p per day for cover but that doesn't tell you much.  Yale sound a good bet too.  Thank you

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #8

    Aged  Sister  has  got  one  of  these  Panic  Buttons,  Pippah.

    That  &  the  stair-lift  were  fitted  at  the  same  time  after  my  Niece

    Stamped  her  foot  &  told  her  mother  she  was  struggling  to 

    get  up  the  stairs  and  , as  such,  was  making  life  harder  for

      herself,  never  mind  the  visitors  who  worry  about  her.

    She  must  have  caught  her  on  a  'Low  day'  to  get  away  with 

    that  one  !!  But  I  will  check  up  &  see  who  fitted  &  Monitors  it 

    and  will  report  back  A S A P  !!  {  Assuming  she's  still  speaking 

    to  us,  of  course  sealed  }

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited January 2017 #9

    Pippah

    If you are interested in having a house alarm you could consider Secure One. They maintain our house alarm and my next door neighbour had one of their alarms fitted recently. Sorry, no idea on current costs, however I can understand why they may need to visit the house to give you an accurate idea of costs. 

    David

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #10

    ABM  I can relate to your poor niece!  I was in a similar position at my brother's house last year - eventually persuaded them to fit a stair lift but it was one heck of a battle.  Something I find hard to understand as it makes so much sense to avoid accidents (to me at least!)  Having failed to persuade our parents that they needed one - I am glad I  succeeded with brother!  It seems to be pride that holds some people back - but why struggle? 

    Thanks David I will look into secure one - I see the need for a system to to "fit" the house - it's just hard sell pressure salesmen I would prefer to avoid!   Secure One do say they don't have "pushy sales staff" so that is looking good! 

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #11

    It  could  be  that  I'm  a  particularly  easily  worried  Old  Goat,  but 

    should  any  cold  caller  ask  me  about  alarms,  panic  buttons  etc

    I'd  inform  the  police  sharpish  !!

    It  could  be  totally  innocent  of  course,  but  information  of  that

      nature  would  be  like  an  open  door  to  some  of  the  residents

    of  this  world  !

    Brian

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #12

    Pippah, 

    I  was  round  at  Aged  Sisters  today  &  checked  on  the 

    "Panic Button"    which  she  has  been  wearing  for  the  last

    few  weeks  ( she  has  had  the  Cold Bug  &  felt  very  tired  & 

    weak  so,  amazingly,  saw  sense  surprised &  wore/carried  it  as  she

    should )  but  sadly  the  information  I  got  from  her  was  just  that 

    it was  provided  via  the  Social  Services  ( Surprise  surprise laughing )

    and  they  arranged  the  whole  shooting  match.

    Sorry  I'm  not  able  to  help  further,  'cos  her  daughter  has

    flown off  hunting  for  Spring  in  the  far  east  for  a  while !

    Brian  A B M

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #13

    Nice man from Secure One came yesterday - 10 mins look round and I am awaiting a quote - way better than the hard sell!  He thought I might have been talking about ADT but he hadn't heard of my cold calling company - it remains to be seen just how much difference there will be in the price for what seems to be similar installations although secure one do have a maintenance charge which was included in the other company's quote for 5 years.  I am giving my new neighbours lunch on Saturday - so maybe they will be suitable caretakers without the need to spend! 

    DavidKlyne if I go with them you will get £50 introduction fee - I will keep you posted! 

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #14

    I Googled them they seem not to cover our area, but I'll be interested in your views on costs Pippah45.  We have an Yale system hubby fitted, but might be interested in a monitored system.  One less thing for us to be concerned about when we are away, although our neighbours are good and watch and have keys. It's a lot to ask if we are going to be motorhoming more this year and having a few months in NZ.

  • Freedom a whitebox
    Freedom a whitebox Club Member Posts: 296 ✭✭✭
    100 Comments
    edited January 2017 #15

    ADT are owned by TYCO and they are an American company 

    I have delt with their commercial side in the past and they provided a fair service, but you did have to aggressively micro manage them..

    I've not had any dealings with the domestic side. 

    An alarm is good for peace of mind, but won't stop a break in, it's a deterrent! Common sense and basic security like remembering to lock up properly and some lighting will be worthwhile. 

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #16

    Yes Bakers2 it seems they are only in the midlands area - but maybe someone in your area will have a recommendation.  I suspect there are systems you can install yourself or someone handy can!  The monitoring is attractive but it has got to add to the costs considerably.  I will let you know when I hear - ADT coming later today - I hope they aren't a hard sell lot! 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #17

    Pippa, have you looked at your local police alarm advice on their web site, this might be helpful in making decisions. Also your insurers may have advice too.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #18

    Thanks Brue the police is a great idea.  ADT were quite impressive today - I am becoming quite well informed now!  wink  Now I need to see how they all add up with different charges etc etc.  I think I am leaning towards ADT being so recognisable but I will work on it. 

  • Lyke Wake Man
    Lyke Wake Man Forum Participant Posts: 238
    edited January 2017 #19

    I use an alarm both at home and in the van, I installed them my-self and therir is no one maintaning them

Categories