Residential Security Alarms, Opinions Needed/Break In!

[a1tinkfans]

BIL home was broken into.
They came thru a front window and exited the front door, during the day. Talk about Brazen. Police think they made it look like they were workers, as they walked out with a 47" tv and so many other items, they took pillow cases and filled them. No glass breakage, just shimmied the window lock (Andersons, if anyone is interested, not cheapo window) No one saw anything, most all work and its in a dead end to boot!!
Fortunately:
He was not home (lives alone)
Did not take/harm the dog (small)
Did not damage the home in any way.
Police also said rash of break ins in area, times are tough, but much more likely HEROIN addicts were in/out and took what they knew they could get $$$ for, fast. SO scary....I can not even imagine if they were strung out...what could have happened. VERY sad and scary!! A neighbor few blocks away was hit TWICE, the second time AFTER he had replaced everything...........
Needless to say, getting an alarm system installed and was wondering if you all can give us you opinions on any company you have first hand knowledge with? There are so many companies...slomins, Brinks, adt, us alarms....then there are companies that are private as well, all appear to be central alarm monitored.
Any negatives with company? Any positives?
Anyone buy it (security items) and install themselves but still hook/or not to Police dept. We are reviewing local business thru BBB but thought I'd also ask here. Thanks.

 

[SC Minnie]

We have ours through our local telephone company. Our house was wired for an alarm when it was built so we didn't have to do that. We originally signed up with one national company that was then merged/bought out by another company and so on and so on. About 2 years ago we switched to the local. The local company is monitored locally which I like. They have also been much more responsive.

We haven't had a break in or attempted break in yet (which is one of my worst fears by the way) so I don't know how much a help or anything they would be.

 

[Melrosgirl]

We have ADT. We secured every window (both floors) and have a motion detector in the basement and glass breakage sensor. For a 3000 sf home, it costs us about $1800 to install. $30 a month for monitoring fees. I've set off false alarms a couple of times myself (didn't shut it off in time) and ADT called right away. (If you don't answer or don't give the right password to them, they send police out.)

There are cheaper alternatives out there. I do recommend securing each window though. Seems silly to only do a few windows (as some companies will tell you to do to lower cost). You'll see ads for just the motion detector and a key fob or something for much less installation. I wanted the works though.

 

[shrubber]

Well, definatly one of these

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5

And maybe one of these

http://patriotshop.us/product_info.php?products_id=70

 

[puffkin]

My parents use a smaller local company. My mom works for a lawyer and that lawyer recommended it from his own personal use as well as many of his lawyer friends. They were very competitive in price for installation with the national companies, but their monitoring fees are much lower per month. I think my mom pays hers for the entire year upfront and gets a decent discount.

I would suggest asking around locally. From what she has heard from others, the local companies are much more responsive and cheaper than the nationals.

 

[Melrosgirl]

Well, definatly one of these

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5

And maybe one of these

http://patriotshop.us/product_info.php?products_id=70

Those don't help if you aren't home.

 

[shrubber]

Those don't help if you aren't home.

A nice Mossberg sure works a lot better if you are though. ( Although I've read the signs, ADT , or 'Careful, I've got a Gun' are pretty darn effective whether your home or not.)

 

[Melrosgirl]

A nice Mossberg sure works a lot better if you are though. ( Although I've read the signs, ADT , or 'Careful, I've got a Gun' are pretty darn effective whether your home or not.)

Good point, but some might see it as a challenge.

 

[amid chaos]

We use a local company. We wirelessly alarmed the doors and screens, but not the windows. If the screens are cut, the alarm goes off. This way I can do errands without shutting the whole house up. We have a lot of large windows in the back of the house so we also put in a glass breaking alarm.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Thanks everyone....having a local guy come in for an estimate...

 

[momof1princess]

we use ADT, and have never had any issues with the alarm or with break-ins. my brother was working for them at the time, and he did the installation. all windows and doors are wired (no basement) and we have a fire alarm as well. it's great peace of mind. i'm so sorry this happened to your brother. it has happened to my family before, more than once, so i know the feeling.

 

[padams]

We had Brinks at a previous home. We were happy with Brinks. The couple who had previously owned our current home had used a local company and we stuck with it when we bought the house. Our local company is quicker to respond than Brinks on maintenance and installation issues.

 

[TheGottis]

Went with a local company. They are cheaper than Brinks and we OWN the system. Plus with the local company we are only bound to a year contract (with a Military clause) - Brinks is a 3 year contract (no military clause - either we buy it out or sell it to our home buyer if we have to move).

Check your contracts with Brinks (Broadview now) - you never OWN the system you are only leasing from them. If you decide you are done using them, they can come in and take everything they installed OUT.

 

[a1tinkfans]

again, thanks everyone,.,.,,Good Info...I am learning that some are "proprietary" so if you end contract or you move, no one else can use it.......who knew???????