Review For: ADT Security Services
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For all those complaining about ADT services, I will give you more reasons to complain about them.
I was initially hounded by ADT for their service and finally I decided get their system installed with monthly payment of $32.00/month. (That was my biggest mistake) Within 2 or 3 months of service, they raised my monthly bill to $42.00 and it is still going up. Their customer service can't explain why. On top of all that, when they came to install the system, he forgot to program the panic button on my remote control. When I called and complained about that, I was told by their customer service that I no longer can receive free service by their personals and that I will have to pay $99.00/hour for this if I need any service from them. I almost choked when he told me that, because up until this time no one not even the sales person told me that it will cost me $99/hour to service my system. So, to avoid having to call ADT for service, I went looking online for solutions that I can use to program my remote. Well, I came empty handed. Plus, it is not easy to program especially when ADT password protects the system for programmer mode - which means you must call ADT for their service. On top of all this, they lock you in with their contract for 3 years, which means you are screwed.
I am a software and system engineer and I know the ins and outs of electronics. So, while online searching for remote control solution, I came across the very same make and model of this ADT alarm system they installed in my house with for a lot less price than ADT is putting them up for. Then, I realized I could have bought the very same system and installed it myself with all my windows and doors with sensors without monthly payment. ADT and every alarm system companies are a joke. In my opinion ADT system is nothing more than a very expensive early warning system for you to run out the door not to alert the authorities at an instance.
Well, I was curious to find out how long it will take for the police to be called and be at my house after the alarm is tripped. So, I tripped the ADT system purposely and waited. Sure enough the system started to beep and it's internal siren went off. The siren keeps making noises for about 4 minutes and then calls ADT personnel. A guy called and asked if everything is okay and requested for the secret password to make sure I was not a burglar. That 4 minute is an internal system delay, even though ADT told me that their system calls them right away as soon as the alarm is tripped. Obviously, you don't have any control over that delay even if you wanted to adjust.
If this had been a real break in, I don't think the ADT system would've had a chance to dial ADT personnel at all. A burglar would've had a plenty of time to smash that system and the internal dialer into pieces (Note from Admin: This is only true with "all in one" systems) and do all kinds of damages to the house. I've seen on Youtube.com many videos of break-ins where the house is outfitted with alarm system and these kids yanking the security system panels and basically walking around as if there is no worries in the world. It usually takes within 5 minutes.
From my test I assume that ADT system will take about 4 minutes to dial ADT headquarter and then another 20 seconds for ADT to call back home to make sure this is a real alarm. And, then they will decide to contact the local police station. It will take another 5 to 10 minutes for them to arrive at the house to help. All together the total time it will take for us to get any sort of help through ADT will be about 15 to 20 minutes give or take 3 minutes. You know, a guy breaking in will not take even five minutes to rob the place and do whatever damage to the people and property.
Basically, ADT is ripping their customers off. Plus, they are running false advertisements. The ADT system doesn't kick into alarm mode right away for the front door (30 second delay to prevent false alarm) and ADT people don't call you in less than 10 seconds as they show in their commercials.
There is a serious weakness in ADT or any alarm systems which is the phone line. More often than not phone line is easily accessible and can be cut easily with anything with sharp edges. Once that wire is cut, you are done. No matter, how long your ADT system screams and yells with its siren, no one is going to be notified. I asked the ADT sales rep about this and he mumbled it off by saying "90% of the break-ins happens within 3 to 5 minutes without phone line cut." I didn't feel one bit comfortable with that response. Sure, they have wireless systems that you don't need land line for, but it will cost you as much as you are paying monthly for your car probably.
All in all, ADT is a joke.
I was initially hounded by ADT for their service and finally I decided get their system installed with monthly payment of $32.00/month. (That was my biggest mistake) Within 2 or 3 months of service, they raised my monthly bill to $42.00 and it is still going up. Their customer service can't explain why. On top of all that, when they came to install the system, he forgot to program the panic button on my remote control. When I called and complained about that, I was told by their customer service that I no longer can receive free service by their personals and that I will have to pay $99.00/hour for this if I need any service from them. I almost choked when he told me that, because up until this time no one not even the sales person told me that it will cost me $99/hour to service my system. So, to avoid having to call ADT for service, I went looking online for solutions that I can use to program my remote. Well, I came empty handed. Plus, it is not easy to program especially when ADT password protects the system for programmer mode - which means you must call ADT for their service. On top of all this, they lock you in with their contract for 3 years, which means you are screwed.
I am a software and system engineer and I know the ins and outs of electronics. So, while online searching for remote control solution, I came across the very same make and model of this ADT alarm system they installed in my house with for a lot less price than ADT is putting them up for. Then, I realized I could have bought the very same system and installed it myself with all my windows and doors with sensors without monthly payment. ADT and every alarm system companies are a joke. In my opinion ADT system is nothing more than a very expensive early warning system for you to run out the door not to alert the authorities at an instance.
Well, I was curious to find out how long it will take for the police to be called and be at my house after the alarm is tripped. So, I tripped the ADT system purposely and waited. Sure enough the system started to beep and it's internal siren went off. The siren keeps making noises for about 4 minutes and then calls ADT personnel. A guy called and asked if everything is okay and requested for the secret password to make sure I was not a burglar. That 4 minute is an internal system delay, even though ADT told me that their system calls them right away as soon as the alarm is tripped. Obviously, you don't have any control over that delay even if you wanted to adjust.
If this had been a real break in, I don't think the ADT system would've had a chance to dial ADT personnel at all. A burglar would've had a plenty of time to smash that system and the internal dialer into pieces (Note from Admin: This is only true with "all in one" systems) and do all kinds of damages to the house. I've seen on Youtube.com many videos of break-ins where the house is outfitted with alarm system and these kids yanking the security system panels and basically walking around as if there is no worries in the world. It usually takes within 5 minutes.
From my test I assume that ADT system will take about 4 minutes to dial ADT headquarter and then another 20 seconds for ADT to call back home to make sure this is a real alarm. And, then they will decide to contact the local police station. It will take another 5 to 10 minutes for them to arrive at the house to help. All together the total time it will take for us to get any sort of help through ADT will be about 15 to 20 minutes give or take 3 minutes. You know, a guy breaking in will not take even five minutes to rob the place and do whatever damage to the people and property.
Basically, ADT is ripping their customers off. Plus, they are running false advertisements. The ADT system doesn't kick into alarm mode right away for the front door (30 second delay to prevent false alarm) and ADT people don't call you in less than 10 seconds as they show in their commercials.
There is a serious weakness in ADT or any alarm systems which is the phone line. More often than not phone line is easily accessible and can be cut easily with anything with sharp edges. Once that wire is cut, you are done. No matter, how long your ADT system screams and yells with its siren, no one is going to be notified. I asked the ADT sales rep about this and he mumbled it off by saying "90% of the break-ins happens within 3 to 5 minutes without phone line cut." I didn't feel one bit comfortable with that response. Sure, they have wireless systems that you don't need land line for, but it will cost you as much as you are paying monthly for your car probably.
All in all, ADT is a joke.
This ADT customer review has been submitted anonymously by a present or former ADT burglar alarms client. Please note that ADT uses a sub-dealer program, which usually means that a local company will install and service your alarm, and ADT will monitor it. So a review listed here may not be for or against corporate ADT, but a completely independent local dealer. If you submit a review, please indicate whether the review is regarding ADT corporate, or the local company who installed your system.
NOTE: If you are submitting an ADT alarm review, please specify the local company that installed it, if applicable.
