Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
So I called ADT regarding their free installation. They wanted a 36 month contract and my social security number to do a credit check before I even purchase a system. Apparently if your credit score is less than 650, you can't get the free installation. If it's more than 650, you qualify. Does anyone have ADT? I'm assuming the length of their contract is negotiable.
Also, do you own the equipment at the end of 3 years from ADT? And I heard the monitoring fees are not stable and can increase over the lifetime of the contract; the rumor is ADT starts you out at $35 per month and then charges up to a $100 a month at the end of the contract.
If anyone has ADT, what are good questions to ask. I read some old threads and got some helpful advice. I know with these type of services, it's like buying a car and you have to know what questions so you don't get ripped off or fail to receive service you were promised.
Last edited by azriverfan.; 04-20-2010 at 03:16 PM..
Nothing in life is for "free", hence why they want to do a credit check. The alarm system is essentially financed through their monthly monitoring fees.
Local alarm and monitoring companies tend to be much more realistic; you pay for the system upfront, but your monthly fees aren't going to be so high either.
The three year contract is required to recoup their investment. My last home I owned the equipment and paid a yearly monitoring fee. I paid by the year which lowered the rates.
When I moved to my current home, I had a company install my system on a three year contract. After three years I owned the equipment and could go to anyone I wanted for monitoring.
They require you to have good credit because you will have hundreds of dollars of their property in your home, and they want it paid for...!
The three year contract is required to recoup their investment. My last home I owned the equipment and paid a yearly monitoring fee. I paid by the year which lowered the rates.
When I moved to my current home, I had a company install my system on a three year contract. After three years I owned the equipment and could go to anyone I wanted for monitoring.
They require you to have good credit because you will have hundreds of dollars of their property in your home, and they want it paid for...!
So it sounds like ADT's mandatory 3 year contract is not negotiable? I have excellent credit BTW but I felt uncomfortable giving my social security number over the phone when I haven't even purchased the system.
Local alarm and monitoring companies tend to be much more realistic; you pay for the system upfront, but your monthly fees aren't going to be so high either.
Absolutely correct. If you shop around with local alarm companies, you should be able to find a basic system with keypad, 2-3 motion sensors and/or 2-3 door contacts for $349-$499 installed then monitoring anywhere from $20.00-$26.99/month.
Both ADT and Brinks have been advertising "free systems" for years and the $35.99 for 36 months becomes $1295.64. The equipment they use is the same that the local provider uses and the third year becomes pure profit for them.
my current home came with an ADT alarm. In previous homes I had alarms, but never paid to have them monitored. I called ADT, and they won't help me make the alarm functional unless I sign a contract. So, we have an unused alarm system.
For the reasons mentioned above I don't think it's a scam. In fact I did it myself and have had the system for about a year. The rate has not gone up in that time. They are providing a system and installing it and they need to know they will have at least three years worth of revenue to make it worthwhile. It's better than paying for the system AND the monitoring I think. And after being burglarized at the new house after having lived here for only a week, it's absolutely worth the additional peace of mind (although I certainly know that an alarm system guarantees it won't happen again).
Hi azriverfan.
ADT is now the biggest( they have taken over broadview/brinks).
Remember to ask if you can get a discount with aaa( I do).
Tell them that you are OK with the contract.
My contract has gone up incrementally. Going from 35 to 100 would be usurious/excessive and they would loose you and many others quickly with that practice and they would stand little chance of winning even in small claims or with collections.
I would like to see them try to come and take the equipment! You can ask about it...it's kind of a write off, hence the contract.
I would NOT submit to a credit check; have them come out and check you and your house in person. If the representative is not empowered to make such a huge decision, ask for a supervisor. Credit checks can hurt your credit. This is a hoop jumping/ customer disservice policy and I would remind them that there are local security system companies that monitor as well. this is a certain p.r. faux pas that I would like to see if they will waive if pushed.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
. The equipment they use is the same that the local provider uses and the third year becomes pure profit for them.
