ADT Security Pro - Home Security Blog

Is Using an ADT Dealer Right for You? Five Misconceptions Dispelled

Posted by Taniqua Pino on Tue,Nov 04,2014 @ 11:08 AM

An Internet search of ADT dealer will provide you quite the proverbial ear full. Many times one article contradicts the next and it can be hard to decipher fact from fiction. Unfortunately, finding controversial and conflicting information on the Internet is not surprising. Did you know that there are 3 experiments you can do at home that prove that the Earth is flat? Hmmm, maybe you can't believe everything you read on the Internet. While I won't endeavor to refute the 74 million articles seeking to prove the world is indeed flat, I can surely clear up some misunderstandings that are floating around the Internet about ADT dealers.

 

ADT Dealer Misconception #1: ADT Dealers Use Out-of-Date and Refurbished Equipment 


Used or refurbished equipment is never used for ADT monitored security systems installed by California Security Pro. State of the art equipment is installed, which is ALWAYS new. Your installer will pull it right out of the box, right before your eyes. Per ADT guidelines, you always receive a current panel from a short list of approved panels like the ultra-modern panels used for ADT Pulse, see a demo video here.

If your home already has equipment and you need to reactivate an existing home security system, a "system takeover" is done. The control panel will be replaced with a new one and your compatible existing devices will be added to your free home security package. Utilizing your existing equipment with your new equipment package can save you money and it will all be warrantied and monitored by ADT.

 

ADT Dealer Misconception #2: ADT Dealer Pricing is Higher than going Through Corporate

Actually, your Pricing Options can be LOWER with an ADT Dealer! While your ADT monthly fee for alarm service is established by ADT Corporate, your equipment package costs can vary. As an Authorized ADT dealer, the only focus is helping you protect your family. For that reason, dealers tend to offer more ADT Specials and ADT On-line Offers than corporate. California Security Pro will also price match any advertised ADT promotions or comparable equipment and installation packages from any other California Home Security Dealer.

California Security Pro is also your premier ADT Dealer for ADT Pulse and home automation. Almost 70% of your fellow consumers choose to go with ADT Pulse which offers remote access and options such as video surveillance and energy management features that can save you money and provide additional protection. On top of all that, ADT Pulse is exciting, cool and the epitome of cutting edge.

Many clients also mention that it can be tricky, misleading and down right dificult to figure out pricing through ADT, some dealers and other security companies. You will find ADT Pulse cost and equipment packages  and  the monitoring service pricing guide right on our website. No guesswork involved here.

GET A PRICE QUOTE

 

ADT Dealer Misconception #3: ADT Dealers Don't Provide Smash and Grab Features

This one is sneaky! "Smash and Grab" originally referred to a burglary tactic. For example a thief will smash a jewelry case, grab what they can and run, or smash a car window, grab a laptop and run. (Free tip: don't leave valuables in plain view in your car.)

A few companies have applied the term to home alarm systems. The technology relies on a signal being sent that a door has been opened. There is then a small delay for you to walk to your panel and disarmed the system. If a signal is not received that the panel was disarmed in the alloted time or that the time expired and the alarm did not sound, this is treated as an alarm event. This would account for a burglar getting in and grabbing the panel from the wall and smashing it so it does not sound an alarm.

Although ADT doesn't use the scary "Smash and Grab" term. Installing a modern ADT monitored cellular security system alleviates these issues. For one, newer panels have two trip switches so that when a panel is either pried from the wall or the front cover is lifted, it automatically activated an alarm if the system is armed. Even if it is separated from the wall a little and the thief stops or rests to grab a tool, the alarm will sound and notify the monitoring center. No need to wait for a two signal sequence, it's instant. If the system is not armed, the monitoring station is alerted that there is tampering with the panel and the monitoring station calls to verify that everything is okay.

The second preventative measure is that panels now house the cellular communicator and the back-up battery inside the control panel. There's no way to disconnect the alarm by ripping it off the wall because it's an all in one panel. So if the panel is pried off the wall, signals automatically go out and there is no interruption as the unit is still powered and the cellular unit is not in a separate unit that can be disconnected by removing the panel from the wall. It's probably no surprise that 80% of installs today are cellular based which also solves the concern of loosing your alarm's connection if the phone line is cut. Smash and Grab refers primarily to wireless systems, hardwired systems house the alarm components in a box usually hidden in a closet or different room away from the touch pad, removing the touch pad does not disarm the alarm.

 

ADT Central Station network is a multi-tiered emergency platform that monitors for burglary, fire, medical and police emergencies. ADT has multiple Central Stations strategically located throughout the United States and Canada. ADT's Central Station network is prepared for virtually anything including natural disasters and ADT offers what many feel is the best security monitoring in the world. - See more at: http://www.californiasecuritypro.com/blog/bid/170263/Types-of-ADT-Security-Monitoring-Service#sthash.yrtFFMtl.dpuf
When you choose to install a wireless GSM Cellular Alarm System there is no way to disarm the system even if it is ripped off of the wall. The reason for this is the cellular unit and the back up battery reside inside the control panel. This means that the cellular signal is sent within 6 seconds from the unit and if ripped off the wall, the battery back up continues to give the unit power. You can rest assured that the signal will be sent ultimately giving you added peace of mind. This is a vast improvement over the older landline dial up security systems that could take up to 24 seconds for the alarm to connect to the ADT monitoring station. Also, phone lines can be cut and therefore disarming your system. Of course, if you have an ADT Pulse system you are protected in the same way because it has a built in cellular communicator. Now close to 80% of all alarms installed today are using cellular communication as a way to connect to the ADT central station as compared to just a few years ago, it was only 50%.  - See more at: http://www.californiasecuritypro.com/blog/bid/186600/5-Misconceptions-About-ADT-Monitored-Security-Systems#sthash.MvOSHdjB.dpuf

ADT Dealer Misconception #4: ADT Dealers Can't Offer a Warranty

ADT Dealer WarrantyCOMPLETELY FALSE. California Security Pro offers only ADT monitoring levels that include the warranty. For the cost of a trip to Starbucks once a month, maintenance and replacement of faulty equipment is included in residential monitoring. There is no charge for service calls in the first 90 days after your initial installation and after that, there is only a minimal $25 trip charge. If you've had a service call to your home lately, you know that it costs between $40 and $120 for a service technician to just knock on your door, that's before any parts and labor.

There's also a money-back service guarantee! If during the six months following installation, it is determined that any installation/service-related concern is not resolved, your monitoring fees will be refunded. You can find lower monthly monitoring, but it's buyer beware! Most often the cost to maintain and service your system is yours with lower monthly fees. With an average service call cost of $150 to $300, that's can blow through a $5-10 a month saving pretty quick.

ADT Dealer Misconception #5: ADT Dealers are synonymous with Horrible Customer Service

While it would be great to say that this is never the case, you already know that you can find a lousy company in any industry. However, checking out customer review sites can lead you to a company who's priorities align with yours.

At California Security Pro we've focused on treating our customers the way you deserve to be treated. We also strive to have the best trained employees and try to enjoy the heck out of our jobs! A great attitude towards our work has paid of in a variety of ways:

 
  1. California Security Pro had a 2014 fiscal year ranking of #12 nation wide and #1 for dealers that exclusively serve California for 3 years running. This re-affirms our motto to be #1 in California and #1 in Customer Service!!!
  2. Customers like you give us overall ratings of 5 stars on independent review sites like Yelp, TrustPilot, Angie's List. Having some of the highest ratings of any security company in California is certainly what separates us from our competition for ADT Monitored security in California.
  3. Our record with the Better Business Bureau is an A+ rating and California Security Pro is a BBB  accredited business.

I am sure that you would agree that many happy customers is a sign of a company committed to customer service.

ADT is the most trusted and well-known name in the security industry today, monitoring over 6 million American homes, countless U.S. Airports, and most Federal buildings. We have the experience you can count on to protect your home and family. The ADT Authorized Dealership program is made up of local companies, familiar with and specializing in their local communities needs. ADT Authorized Dealers also follow astringent ADT guidelines and help keep ADT the number one security company in America.

For more information or to schedule your FREE In-Home Security Review call us at 1-800-310-9490.

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Tags: ADT Authorized Dealers, ADT Monitoring Service