Community Chat

[Annabellethecat66]

I've had ADT since 2001.  In May of that year we had a house fire (lightning hit the roof, caught it on fire).

The fire just affected the roof, but the firemen pulled down the insulation, etc and my house looked (honestly) worse than any war zone!  It was unbelievable!  Cost the insurance company almost $300,000 total!  Exactly 5 months later, we moved back in.

My late husband traveled quite a bit and was worried about me being here by myself.

He had ADT wire this house up to the wazoo!  I'm telling you.  I have motion sensors, alarms if glass breaks, so much up in the attic I don't know it all.

It's been a long time since it was installed and it still works great.

I don't set the thing much anymore.  I have 10 Blink cameras in and outside of my house too.  I like those because I can actually SEE everything and delete it (pictures/video) whenever I want.

Still, I wouldn't change (take out, delete) ADT for anything.  When a door is opened, I hear the announcement.

It's funny the things you get used to.  Even as long as I've had ADT, I still perk up (ears) whenever it says something like, "Sensor 1, Front Door OPEN".

A quick funny story.  A few weeks ago my cat (Katie) was out on the screened in back porch.  I wanted her to stay out there for a short time because I was vacuuming and it upsets her.

I didn't latch the door shut but I did push it closed.  Katie is a weird cat.  She's afraid of every single thing you can imagine.  I've never picked her up in the (now) almost 8 years I've been her Mom (she's 12 years old).  She has a metabolism of a hummingbird.  What I mean is she could eat me and you out of house and home and not gain an ounce.  She's as light as a feather (so says the Vet).

So, I was in a back room vacuuming.  I heard ADT make the announcement (similar), "Door number 3, Back Door open".  

It scared the heck out of me.  We don't get a lot of visitors and when we do (we being myself and 2 cats) I know ahead of time.

I went flying (as fast as I go which for some would be a snail) into the dining room (the porch is off of the dining room) and looked down just in time to see Katie the cat walking through the door!

I looked over to her brother (which I question if he is) Bill and said, "Bill, if I was you, I wouldn't argue with your sister because she's a lot stronger than we thought".  Ha!

She must have put all of her maybe 5 lbs into it and pushed that heavy door open!

This is a big house (3,000 square feet) split foyer, 2 car garage, sitting on 1 wooded acre and more windows and doors than you can imagine! 

They are made safe with ADT alarms.  If a window is open ADT tells me.

I'm getting ready to call them back because I need new batteries in some of the windows and I need the pad changed (time-wise).

I have the program where they take out money each month so I don't have to pay for any trips they make or even the batteries.

Since mine is so old, I'm sure a lot has changed.  There are no wires to mine but it does take batteries.  Those tiny batteries are quite expensive, so I'm glad I don't have to pay for them.

Because there are so many alarms, they ran out of things to call all of them.  The guy got very creative in giving them names!  I'm about the only person now who knows what some of these alarms mean.

The young guys who come here stand at the pad and say, "Wow!  You have a lot of alarms set up".  

I say, "Yes!  My husband wanted to make sure I was safe".  Ha!

Some of the young one's have to call the office to get help on how to handle so many alarms.

But it's all good.  Like I said, even with having Blink (which I really also recommend, another subject) I wouldn't change that ADT alarm for the world.

If I had to sum up ONE major reason I'd say it is being made aware of doors and windows being messed with that I especially like.

I have 2 pads they gave me way back when.  I keep one in the bedroom and one down near the garage (so if I set it, I don't have to run to delete alarm).

There've been a few times over the years that I became nervous at say, 3 or 4 AM.  I just reach over and put some numbers in the pad and it tells me what I want to know.

Sorry to make this so long but I wanted you to know why I like ADT and even with the 10 Blink cameras (mostly outside) I'll never get rid of the ADT system.

A few years ago the area where I live police department made all home security owners pay $10 and register their systems.  I think because they were getting so many calls on fake alarms they made us do it.

Only once did I have (ALMOST) interaction with the police.

Here's what happened.  I came into the garage.  I'd set the alarm and forgotten.  Suddenly, I remembered.  I went flying upstairs and called ADT first.  The alarm was going bonkers.

I said, "Did you notify the police?"  They said, "Yes!  They're on their way".  

I quickly called the police and she said, "A car has been dispatched and is almost at your house".  

I gave the password and I didn't see them, Phew!

That was probably 7 or so years ago.  I know about the time because I could still fly up the front steps.  These days I go in through the garage and up the stairs in the house.  More stairs (split foyer) but they're easier for me to climb (double knee replacement).

I didn't have the pad with me and didn't even think of it anyway.  I could have punched in the code and it would have been easier.

Take care.  Do your research.  There are a lot of them out there.  All of my interaction with ADT over the years has been good.  Maybe 3 or 4 times (over all those years) I had to call and get a man back out again because the first one was lazy and didn't test all of the alarms.  

It takes some time to test all of the alarms.  The one's in the attic are a beast, but it needs to be done every few years.

I think it's still the same that ADT owners buy franchises.  The owner has changed with mine a few times.  I haven't had them out in at least 2 years but I'm getting ready to make the call this week to get them out.

I've decided to be more pro-active starting this year.  Hummmm??? I always say in a dictionary next to the word "procrastinator" would be a picture of me (Annabellethecat).  Ha!

I

[Jannygaz]

I've lived in my home for 30 years and always felt safe which is what the ADT rep told me often happens to peope who decide they don't need a security system. Didn't need a security system before so why now?   That all changed 3 weeks ago when I came home from work and found my front door smashed open.  All my jewelry and some handbags were gone.  I now have a security screen door and an ADT system.  I can set it from my phone, the installed pad or a key fob.  So far, I'm getting used to it and like it.  Quite simple.  My son and DIL recommended ADT since they've had it for 10 years.  As one of my friends (who's had 3 break-ins at her house in a good neighborhood) , those crooks are done with you.  You need to protect yourself against the next ones.  Oh, and here's a piece of advice DO NOT keep your jewelry in your bedroom dresser draws. . . .or at least the non-replacable pieces.  It's the first place thieves look.  The ADT rep suggested hiding it in Christmas decorations.  No one thinks to look there!

[phoenixbrd]

I like ADT but will check out the Xfinity recommendation.  Several families in our neighborhood have ADT signs posted outside the house, but don't have their security system.  Apparently you can purchase the display signs.

[1Snickers]

@tends2dogs. My system is old. I got it because I can talk to it and it hears me. (My husband had heart problems and I wanted to be able to call for help then talk from another room. Now my hearing is so bad I can’t hear it.

  It has been transferred from one company to another over the years, landing at ADT. It wasn’t expensive at first but has gone up considerably. (That’s how they can give you one that’s a cheaper price but it will increase.) 

  I’m not on a contract any more and asked them not to increase the price and they complied to keep me. 

   They come soon after a call and check everything.(I don’t want the cameras or remote controls. I’ve heard people can use the remote settings and control your system. 

    I pay the extra amount so there is no trip charge. Usually it’s a battery or stuck door. 

    I like ADT but not the price.

[1Snickers]

@phoenixbrd  ADT information states that their signs are for use withe their systems only. They will give customers new ones. 

  Maybe what you’re seeing is signs that have been left from former owners. 

[tends2dogs]

The two different relatives that have ADT said it runs around $30 a month.  Does that sound about right?

I know that you can get security systems through the cable companies, but you have to have WiFi.  Is that the way ADT works, too, WIFI?

If we put our cable on seasonal, we would have to keep our WiFi turned on. 

As you can see, I am not very sharp when it comes to stuff like this.

[tends2dogs]

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@patbz wrote:

@tends2dogs :  Please don't think that a security monitoring system is all you need; still personally stay alert at all times.  Personally, I couldn't use ADT (BTK serial murderer was an ADT tech at the time he was captured.

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I looked that BTK guy up!  What a creep.  What a sick life he led.  It said he was also a BoyScout leader and a Sunday school teacher.  You just never know, do you?  

Believe me, I am always looking over my shoulder!

[grandma2pkmh]

@tends2dogs   I have had ADT for around 16 years. Bill started at $18.99 per month, just increased again to $42.99 per month. I have the simplest system,  3 doors armed, no windows.  I need to change! LOL

[Abrowneyegirl]

We have had several security companies over the years currently we have ADT.

You need to compare monitoring, equipment fees, contract length, etc.

Be sure you have battery back-up. 

If you go wireless be sure to confirm it is working from cell towers not your Wi-Fi.

Depending on your area phone lines may be most reliable.

You will need to do some homework before you sign anything.

[tl98466]

I had ADT for awhile, but had TONS of issues with it; then it seemed like the monthly monitoring fee kept increasing every month or two. I switched to Xfinity and my only issue with it was the cost. Now I'm using Blink and RING Doorbell.