My wife and I just got a wireless home security system installed by Platinum Protection. A salesman came to our house and offered us free equipment and installation. We would only have to pay for monthly service, which is $46.99.

Has anyone had any systems installed by Platinum Protection? If so, what did you think about their service?

What other alarm systems worked for you? We are more interested in a wireless system than a system that needs a phone line.

Thanks!

8/13/2008 10:08:44 PM

Quote :

"We would only have to pay for monthly service, which is $46.99. "

holy crap thats a lot of money (in the long run). and generally i dont trust door to door salesmen. and i would go with one of the leaders in that industry...not a company nobody has heard of.

did you even google the name before purchasing? i'm guessing not...cause it doesn't look good. http://www.google.com/search?q=Platinum+Protection%5C&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS239US239

8/13/2008 10:14:05 PM

We've read some opinions online. Most people only commented on the sales reps. Ours was really nice and professional. I've looked at Brinks and ADT and their equipment costs a lot more along with a monthly service fee.

8/13/2008 10:17:03 PM

I'm just saying click the link, do some reading. watch the you tube videos. it doesn't look good

adt has a special for a $99 i installation, with a $42/month fee. thats basically the same price you're paying, for a much more reputable company. brinks has a $49 install with monitoring starting at $30.

8/13/2008 10:21:07 PM

Quote :

"What other alarm systems worked for you?"

8/13/2008 10:39:46 PM

i just had something similar happen.

they started out by saying that they would pay me to put their sign in front of mine. then changing their story to, "free equipment, but pay us for monitoring instead".

i told him to get off my property.

don't pay too much.

i usually go to the police station where i live or am thinking about moving to and ask about crime rates and who they would use for security.

[Edited on August 13, 2008 at 10:44 PM. Reason : it's worked well as they know about response times and false alarms.]

8/13/2008 10:39:50 PM

We just got a German Shepherd puppy.

8/13/2008 10:45:40 PM

my parents have a wireless system...all the doors, windows and fire alarm sensors are wireless and there is a phone connection to call, ill have to check on the equipment manufacturer

if it was mine, id add window break, carbon monoxide, basement flood and water flow sensors to it

something like $5 per month for monitoring through a local place...the VOIP modem is on a UPS which gives it about 6-8 hours of backup time if someone cuts the power

the two cats just run and hide when they see strangers

8/13/2008 11:13:05 PM

teach it the german commands that k9 officers use. that way they'll never get confused. unless there's another german around.

8/13/2008 11:13:27 PM

i heard the fines for accidentally setting them off can be CRAZY depending on where you live.

any experience with this?

i was thinking about getting a security system because i live alone and it would at least make me feel safer and feel more at ease (especially at night). but i don't know if they are worth the money??

8/13/2008 11:27:09 PM

Quote :

"holy crap thats a lot of money (in the long run). and generally i dont trust door to door salesmen. and i would go with one of the leaders in that industry...not a company nobody has heard of. did you even google the name before purchasing? i'm guessing not...cause it doesn't look good."

The price is still competitive with the veteran companies. The only up-front cost is $100 versus $500+ for a comparable package from the others. My $47/month would compete with their ~$45/month dues. We got 3 door sensors, 2 window break detectors, fire and smoke alarm, 2 key fobs (hey, they're $100 apiece) in our package (all cellular), which is pretty much a topnotch package. Those cheaper prices you found come with the standard "front door, back door, motion detector" kit.

Truth is, ALL the alarm companies are catching hell on the Internet. Check out that same site for ADT reviews etc. I guess the only ones speaking their minds are the ones with the problems.

After reading up on them (and competitors), I'm actually more comfortable with Platinum Protection now than I was before. I may still cancel them, on account of the usefulness of a home security system If anyone has opinions on that matter, I'd like to hear em too

^My boss and the sales rep told me that you get a few freebies. Sales rep said three, boss said like 4 or 5 per year.

I stopped by the Police station this morning and talked it over with a few detectives, the sergeant and lieutenant (loo ten ten!). No one in the office had heard of them before but they've got my back if I ever need to pursue anything with Platinum. A detective even called their offices to size them up and make sure they don't try anything funny. A++ for Kannapolis Police Department.

[Edited on August 14, 2008 at 11:13 AM. Reason : ]

8/14/2008 11:08:41 AM

haha BobbyDigital is that your boxer? Mine would hide if someone broke in

8/14/2008 11:23:13 AM

nah, i was on a computer that didn't have any of my pictures on it last night. I just found a random boxer picture.

Mine's kind of a scaredy cat too, apparently it's only when i'm home. my wife claims that when she's home alone, he'll run to the door and growl menacingly if someone is on the other side.

8/14/2008 11:58:36 AM

i pay 19.99/mo with http://www.integratedexcellence.com/ - their standard is 24.99 but you can argue over price with them

they pre-installed the wiring while they were buliding my house - the only pieces of equipment missing were the sensors that needed to be attached and the wall unit

it's in ATL though and not of much use to you - the point is the price can go down - anything over $35 is ridiculous in my opinion

after the 3 year contract runs out in 2 years i'll probably go with https://nextalarm.com/index.jsp

8/14/2008 1:05:42 PM

he forums at http://www.homesecuritystore.com/ also have some great information.

I actually purchased and installed my own system from them.

8/14/2008 2:49:57 PM

so far this worked well for me

8/14/2008 2:54:16 PM

Quote :

"and it would at least make me feel safer and feel more at ease (especially at night)."

why, does your system come with a armed guard?

it'll only help you to get lower insurance rates. it won't help you if someone breaks in and starts looking around. being self-sufficient helps. having good perimeter lighting, good locks, door frames that don't suck, solid ext. and int. doors, no windows on or near your doors, trimmed bushes, etc...

getting to know your neighbors is valuable too. the alarm company might send someone out, but your neighbors can be on the look out when you aren't.

[Edited on August 14, 2008 at 3:24 PM. Reason : s]

8/14/2008 3:24:00 PM

To add to what ^ said.

The real goal here is to make your house less of a target than other houses around it.

If someone wants stuff from your house bad enough, an alarm isnt going to stop them.

Lots of outdoor light, no easy places to hide (keep bushes trimmed), good locks, strong doors, good security procedures (checking windows/doors are locked when you leave) all go a long way to making your house less attractive.

8/14/2008 3:33:17 PM

I pay $30 a month for my monitoring.

As far as false alarms go...
You get two free warnings. Then it is a $100 fine, then a $500 fine, but this was 4 years ago.

8/14/2008 3:52:56 PM

i know CPI advertises free installation, but i have no idea what the system costs.

alarmforce advertises free installation, $0 down, $25/month.

[Edited on August 14, 2008 at 4:36 PM. Reason : ]

8/14/2008 4:34:57 PM

if you file a change of address (or go to a post office) you can get a packet with a coupon in it for ADT

ADT -

This was the special
a) 2 door alarms
b) 1 motion sensor (or 1 glass break)
c) 1 key chain
d) $99 installation fee, equipment is free, $36/month monitoring price

I called them up, on your first call, they gave me these extras:
a) 1st month free
b) $50 gas gift card
c) $100 visa gift card
d) extra key chain

So I paid a little over $100 for installation.

Got about $180 back.

Only pay $36/month

AND I have a dog. Along with video surveillance...

[Edited on August 14, 2008 at 5:57 PM. Reason : .]

8/14/2008 5:55:20 PM

12 gauge shotgun loaded with #0 buckshot.

8/14/2008 7:13:22 PM

You prefer more shot I see. I like my Federal Tactical Low Recoil 9 Pellet 00 Buck or Winchester Ranger Low Recoil 1oz Slugs. Very little muzzle flash and quick follow ups, but there's nothing wrong with some 0 Buck.

8/14/2008 7:29:44 PM

i live in a condo so it really isn't about lighting and stuff for me. i meant i would make ME feel safer as in me personally (and my stuff i guess). i mean all i really want is a sign to go on my door and that would give me peace of mind. i don't even really care if it is monitored, i guess. a sign and an alarm that would go off and scare people away is enough for me. but i meant like...i live alone and it would just make me feel more at ease being alone all the time. i'm more worried about me than my stuff

but that is the thing the lock on my condo door is super flimsy i feel like. it is just a bottom lock and it is old fashioned like just the kind you twist like this:


except not with a key obviously, but with just a thing you twist (and nothing on the outside except a keyhole). but there's no deadbolt or anything. so i'm getting new locks put on my door. i think i live in a safe place...but it is more for peace of mind than anything i guess. and because if anyone wanted to, i doubt it would be hard to break in with the lock that is on there now.

8/14/2008 11:33:49 PM