ADT direct vs. Authorized ADT Dealer

[Bklyn4Life]

Is ADT any good with internet phone, no landline? How does that get accomplished (or do they just push the cell service on you)?

As you can see...6+ months, still no system. Procrastinator or researcher? You be the judge...

[joe moving]

honestly not to call myself out, but how many feel like you need a security system? stick a sign in your front and get a dog and some lights

[Alarmman3]

Agreed do not use the dealers. They get paid for selling your contract to them. Most dealers do the worst installation practices, use the cheapest equipment, use subs which are not even full fledged techs. They most likely do not even have a license to do alarms. The first clue should be if they do not come out to discuss system. That should be a strike against them. I would never use an security company that won't even come out to my site. That show how much you mean to them. Your only a dollar figure to them and not a customer. Also they do not pay there subs fair and on top of all of that they do 1099 them so after all said and done they are lucky if they make $20.00 for the install after gas, tolls etc. They just call you and make the tech do all the work sale and all. As far as eversafe goes they have many strikes against them. Go look them up on the Better Business Bureau. They have no idea about how to run a proper alarm company. The only thing they are good at is scamming to get your money. Also if you do go with one if the tech shows up in a unmarked car that should be your next clue to stay clear of that company.

[Alarmman3]

Originally Posted by Bklyn4Life

Is ADT any good with internet phone, no landline? How does that get accomplished (or do they just push the cell service on you)?

As you can see...6+ months, still no system. Procrastinator or researcher? You be the judge...

You can use an alarm system with internet phone. It is not recommended by the manufacturers. But you can't use alarm with Vonage or Magic Jack. They have propriority networks that do not work with alarm systems. You can use a cell as a primary if no phone exists or if not able to use the carrier. You can also use a network card and have system send signals off of your high speed network via the internet. You will need a router additionally.

[KL72]

Originally Posted by Bklyn4Life

Is ADT any good with internet phone, no landline? How does that get accomplished (or do they just push the cell service on you)?

As you can see...6+ months, still no system. Procrastinator or researcher? You be the judge...

There are two good options that I've found if you want to go broadband and avoid the telephone line.

First, let me advise to avoid any monitoring company that locks you into an annual agreement (and in most cases, a 36 month agreement) at $30, $40 or more. That inclues ADT, broadview and similar 'leading national' companies. They are a rip off over the long run.

If you do want to limit your out of pocket investment and don't mind paying high monthly fees over a 3 year contract, then look into Protect America, which offers broadband monitoring using GE Simon systems.

The two alternatives are:

1) Ingrid Home Monitoring - Relatively inexpensive fully wireless, do it yourself installation system. $30 mo for fully monitored system (live operator monitoring by Guardian), including a virtual self monitor system that allows you to monitor the system via the web, or PDA (such as iPhone, Blackberry) etc. Down side is you have to pay monthly to get any benefit from the hardware, the hardware is of unknown quality (not a leading brand like Adempco or DCS), and the hardware choices are extremely limited (no recessed door or recessed window contacts).

2) Install a high quality Adempco system such as the Vista20P, add the internet board from myvirtualmonitoring.com, and you are all set for a fully live operator monitored + virtual monitoring via web site/PDA for under $14/mo ($16/mo on a month to month contract). For the Jersey area, you can have professional installers such as JM Resources in PA do the installation and leave the self-monitoring or subscription for you directly with myvirtualmonitoring.com.