Broadband Tech > General Questions > VMS Alarms

VMS Alarms

Probably just a scam. I have never heard of that company either and that's an awful high monitoring fee. You'll end up paying for the system very fast paying those fees.

reply to snowman714
Just look at VMS's website. Everyone gets free (basic) equipment. They make up for it from their HIGH monitoring charge.
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reply to snowman714
They get their ROI out of it. Usually its a 2 or 3 year contract.

That price does seem high from what little price-shopping I have done in the past.

If you do it, make sure you verify the contract terms, early termination fees (they tend to be high with alarm companies), and service agreement. What are you paying for, do you have to pay extra for false alarms (kid accidentally hits the button, etc), is there a set number of times they will come out before charging extra. Is the contact center staffed 24/7 (you laugh but im serious. One local place I contacted closes their doors at 9pm and are closed on weekends. They filter their calls to a 3rd party answering service who was more or less able to call 911 and that was all.)
Also try to find out if their contact center is adequately staffed. If they have an 800 number, call it a few times at different times of the day. It may be indicative of service response. See what their policy is on contacting law enforcement. Do they contact 911 right away, do they wait for a response from the homeowner, does it depend (as it should in my opinion), etc.

I have noticed a lot of very specific differences with different alarm companies. The wife and I were shopping 3 or 4 years ago.

Personally, I wouldn't go with an alarm company that contacted me. They are obviously direct-marketing and may not be as interested in you as your account/money.

reply to Msradell

reply to snowman714
I have had BRINKS which changed to Broadview Security and just recently became owned by ADT for 13 Years. I hope ADT doesn't ruin my good run or increase my price.

I have been very happy with BRINKS and the fee per month including free maintenance and replacement of any device has been $28.95/mo. and has not gone up in 13 years. I have never had a contract, maybe the first two years were, I don't recall.

Initially for free, You received 1-smoke/heat detector, 3-door sensors, and 1-motion sensor and 1-Keypad

I payed extra to have all doors & windows, 4-glass breakage detectors, 1-extra motion, 2-extra Keypads and heat detectors in the garages.

reply to snowman714
$34.99 is a rip-off. Ask if it comes with a free can of lube, you'll need it. And I'm sure the alarm system is completely inadequate (e.g., 2 doors and 1 motion sensor. No windows, etc.)

reply to dvd536

reply to BryanInPHX
The problem with Brinks is that you don't own the equipment. You decide you want to change monitoring companies, Brinks comes and takes back their system.

reply to dvd536

reply to Bobcat79

reply to BryanInPHX
With most companies, even ADT, you own the equipment. But the big companies nickel-and-dime you for everything. For example, that alphanumeric display that your local alarm company uses by default is a $150 extra-cost option from ADT. The smoke detectors that your local company monitors for no extra charge (it doesn't cost them any extra to monitor smoke detectors) are an extra monthly cost with ADT. The local company monitoring may also do a telephone dialing test periodically, something that ADT does not do.

The big companies also insist that the wife be present for their sales pitch, so they can play to the fear factor. That should tell you something about the way they run their companies.

As far as the other things you mentioned: There's no reason to replace the battery every year. The system does a load test every 4 hours. It also does a no-load voltage test every 3 minutes. There's no reason for the alarm company to come out to test the system. You should be testing it yourself every month (or even more frequently). I suspect their visits are an opportunity to upsell you with higher cost services.

reply to Bobcat79

I just looked at the BBB website:

Broadview Security is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ Rating for both national and local offices.

ADT is not a BBB Accredited Business, and has a local Tempe, Arizona Rating of C-.

So If I decide to go with another Security vendor in Phx, AZ who should I look into? Some of my neighbors have Broadview, ADT, Monitronix, Unique, Protection One, Guardian...
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reply to BryanInPHX
If you cancel, they do remove the equipment. If you don't let them, they send you a bill for the original cost.

From a quick Google search:

quote:

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Lin of Duluth GA (11/04/07)
I was a customer of Brinks Home Security for 5 years until last month I switched. Brinks' monthly fee is 10 higher than its competitors. When I called to cancel, I really got a surprise. They said they own the equipment (control panel, keypad, motion detector, window detectors, etc.) installed in my home, and they need to remove them. I spent more than 400 for installation (promotional standard package 99, additional keypad and motion detector at 300+). They told me all this money was for installation labor. I certainly don't agree; the salesperson did not mention anything like this but instead made it sound like if I fulfill the contract (3 year) I got to keep the equipment. I did not let them take the equipment because the motion detectors and window detectors are being re-used, although I have control panel and keypads in a box.

A week later they sent me a bill of 500 for the equipment. There is a clause in the contract saying they are the owner. But I was not aware until they pointed out over the phone during the argument. As you know, there is no way to read through the several pages of small font, printed contract before you sign it. My argument is (1) the salesperson should make me aware of the consequence of canceling their service; (2) they should explain why the equipment now costs 500, not 200 or 800, and whether depreciation is considered.

Alex of Newark CA (10/31/07)
I called Brinks to cancel my service (after 4 years of service), and they told me that they would have to come in and remove the equipment. When I signed up for the equipment the salesperson told me that the equipment would be mine after the service agreement (3 years). I even called their main number and confirmed that with another salesperson. It seems to me that this company is deceiving their customers by having their sales force push for something that is not true. Brinks' customer service claims the contract says that the equipment is theirs and they have the right to remove it.

After removing the equipment, holes were left in the walls and the technician refused to clean the mess. People should stay away from Brinks. I would never use them again and will speak against them any chance I get.

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reply to snowman714
nextalarm.com is a very popular company for the VoIP community that does not have standard phone line.
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reply to BryanInPHX
Go with a local alarm company. Look for alarm company stickers on local businesses.