Buddy B.
Even if you've got unusual requirements, service is second to none
Several months ago, I found myself at the end of a contract with a major nationwide alarm company. About a year before that, we bought a system from them that we found didn't meet our needs; specifically, the interface was a touch screen, and only very basic functions of arming and disarming the system were usable either via a smart phone app or the key fob. Since both my wife and I are blind, we had to do without such features as the ability to bypass alarm zones, add or remove user codes, etc. Besides, the monthly monitoring costs were a bit more than we wanted to pay, and so we were looking for alternatives as the end of our contract loomed. We found another system that seemed to meet our needs: lower price, smart phone access, keypad with real buttons, audible and/or spoken confirmation of system status. Except that we'd have to replace all the sensors in our home. I, at least, would prefer avoiding that if possible. We then found Alarm Grid, and again, they had a system with real buttons, spoken/audible status indicators, a lower per month monitoring cost (no contract...even better), and we could use (as it turned out) most of our existing sensors. My first impression of them was extremely positive, as sterling spent a lot of time chatting with me online, exchanging Emails, and helping me put together a system that would exactly meet my needs. No installer? No problem. Sterling set up an appointment when I'd have someone over who had working eyeballs, and he talked the two of us through hooking up the panel and getting the initial setup started. Programming in the first door, window, and motion sensors was a snap, as was doing the initial setup of a key fob. And then we hit a snag. The alarm net Web site was completely useless with my computer software. Being blind, I use software that reads my computer screen. I use several in fact, both Mac and Windows, and the site didn't work with any of them. Not to worry. Sterling took even more time out to set my account up for me, even programming in the extra button on my key fob and setting up a second one. So, while I might have taken points off for a pretty rotten Web site, (Alarm Grid's site is fine, the Honeywell Alarmnet site is awful), they get points back for going way out and making things right anyway. So here I am, more than six months later, with an alarm system I can use independently, a company that has second to none customer service and after sales support, not to mention pre-sales support, and I'm paying about 40% less per month. Sure, i had to buy the kit for about $350, but I'll be about even with that other alarm company's monthly in just couple more months. Speaking briefly of pre-sales support, I felt absolutely no pressure at all from Sterling. I was very impressed: his aim seemed to be that I was educated. He wanted me to understand what I was getting from him and to be completely comfortable before I put down any money. That's not something you run into very often anymore. Yes, I'd do business with Alarm Grid again, and they get my most enthusiastic thumbs up.