Alarm GridReviews of alarmgrid.com

I'm definitely an alarm system amateur. I have enough electrical skill to install wall plugs and switches etc, but I had never ventured into home electronics. However, my new home was built with a Vista-20P alarm system pre-installed. This system was fully paid for in the purchase price of our home, but the installer (an ADT dealer) wanted to charge me $99/mo for monitoring. This is the price they charge people they give a "free" system to. It's he rate that allows them to recoup their capital expense over their 2-3 yr contract period. He wanted that rate on a fully paid for system! Thankfully, I came across the AlarmGrid website and determined I could upgrade and monitor my system myself for a much more reasonable rate and with no contracts. A quick Google search shows the many DIY alarm sales companies out there. What set this site apart for me was the extensive information provided free of charge regarding all aspects of alarm programming and equipment. I could tell from his plain language explanations that he had put a lot of time into supporting both paying customers and casual enthusiasts who needed a few tips and techniques. His prices are slightly higher than eBay and some other DIY companies. However, I guarantee the the customer service support is outstanding, required, and well worth the extra few pennies. By "outstanding" I mean he (the owner, Sterling) almost always anwswers his 1-800 contact line himself. His associates are just as helpful, but it's very nice to talk to "the man." He talks in plain language and is very patient with newbies like me. The few times I have sent him emails or left him a vmail, I have received return calls almost immediately - even on Saturday. He's gone well beyond what I expect in terms of customer service and earns "outstanding" in my book. By "required" I mean the instructions that come with the products are almost unintelligible. They are written for professional installers who don't need or want any explainations of acronyms or technical-words. Even with extensive web-searching, I wasn't able to make sense of it. A quick call to Alarm-grid gets you a plain-language explanation and step-by-step instructions. Alarm systems are not difficult for DIY folks as long as you can find someone to decode all the cryptic codes in the programming manual. By "worth the exta few pennies" I mean exactly that. I decided to upgrade my basic 20P system with a Tuxdo Touch keypad so I could add Z-wave automation down the road and a GSMV4G communicator so I could be monitored via cell-communication by a central monitoring station. Strerling ensured I ordered all the extra little things I would need for a flawless install (aux power supply, aux battery, external antenna system, etc). I checked his prices extensively before deciding to press "submit" on my order. On little things like the power supply, he matched the competitors. On big items like the Tuxedo Touch screen and cellular communicator, I paid about $40 more ($840 vs $800) than I would have paid from the cheapest competitor. However, when considering the technical support I've received before and after placing this order, I feel certain I have gained more than $40 in value from my purchase of his equipment. The equipment from different companies is the same - the support is highly variable. You can't beat AlarmGrid's support! Oh - and his monitoring rates are outstanding. You won't find any cheaper or simpler and no contacts to boot. Two pieces of advice for the non-professional installers out there: 1) don't pay ADT or any other major installer to do a simple job like installing and/or monitoring an alarm system and 2) make sure you can get reliable/professional advice before you tell the big guys to pound sand. By the way - this is unsolicited praise - I never write reviews like this. I can't think of another company I've ever dealt with that provided support at this level. They have a solid business plan built on service. I highly recommend them if you're looking to do this yourself. Best wishes and good luck. Go with AlarmGrid - you won't be disappointed.

Sometimes things seem to be too good to be true. And I am a natural skeptic! Then, you get down to the details or actually purchase a good or service and things were not all that good. I am writing to say THIS IS NOT THE CASE WITH ALARM GRID. I am a do-it-yourselfer that won't pay to have anything done that I could do myself. I enjoy the satisfaction and want to be able to maintain my property and equipment. I previously had a Concord 4 alarm panel and the programming was pretty complicated for a newbie--and I struggled through it and had many trials and errors before I got it right. For instance, first time I walked through the house after installing the sirens went off because I put the wrong code on my motion detectors. Just yesterday switched out the Concord for a Honeywell Vista 20p panel. It is even more complicated to program than the Concord. But the big difference this time was Sterling at Alarm Grid. I purchased the monitoring on Saturday January 26. Sterling called me the same day to make an appointment to help me get things set up. We agreed on 11 am Sunday--the next day. He called me 5 minutes early. I liked that. Then, he advised me, worked with me, problem-solved with me, and stayed with me until we had the whole system (all sensors) tested and my account set up on Total Connect 2.0. I am ashamed to say that I kept him on the phone for over 4 hours. But he never complained, never showed any impatience. I could not have done it without him. Seriously. So, how much did all this help cost me. $0. And my monitoring plan is dual path with Total Connect 2.0--only $30 a month. OK, no setup costs, no contract, no credit check, willing to work with DIY but without much alarm knowledge. That's why I am writing this review. I researched the local and online alarm companies for a good week and decided on Alarm Grid. Now if I sound like a professional writer, it is because I communicate for a living. But, I am getting nothing for this review except the satisfaction of helping others who struggle with this decision. Tony Roberts, Atlanta, GA

Alarm Grid is the best yet. I wanted to install my new Honeywell 5100 system on a Sunday, and the owner, Sterling, spent two hours with me. Also, they are the only monitoring company that allows you to pick and choose, including no contracts. This the best company by far. Plus they are experts, no wasted time.