SOOO... I made the mistake. I signed up with Protect America. And for the next three years I am at their mercy. Don't get me wrong, I really like my Simon III, but their service plain out STINKS! My question is this. I wish to add to my system. Three window entry contacts, and two, maybe three motion sensors. I'd also like to add one or two of the wireless keypads. All in all, making the system "adquate" for my needs. I've priced these add-on's through PA and for the above mentioned items, its in the neighborhood of about $1400. Heck, they want $7 for three window stickers! Anyway... I've checked the Safewatch site, and know I can find them cheaper.

My question is this. Is it possible to "add on" to my system? PA tells me that I can only add equipment purchased from them, and that I have to have one of their installers come out to add the equipment. I looked on the net and found programming instructions for the Simon III and attempted to go through them but got a message of "FUNCTION NOT AVAILBLE" I would really like to be able to purchase additional equipment, but I refuse to pay the mark up that they are asking.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards-
Andrew

 

Well, here's the major problem - you probably can get into the system to program it, but in doing so, you'll end up defaulting the system (which means losing all programming - including your account # and receiver #.)

The reason you are getting "Function not available" is because the code you are using is not the installer code - you have to have that to program the system, at least without defaulting it first (btw, don't even try to ask PA for the installer code, they won't give it to you - they'll give you the whole "voids your warranty", "too much liability" spill - which they have a good point, but it's just a way to make money.) And, not to mention, you really don't want to void your warranty - if you have problems, they can blame it on you and not repair/replace your equipment.

So, you're really stuck between a rock and a hard place. What I recommend you do is find out how much the labor is to install the required equipment - don't tell them you're buying your own, not right off anyway (they'll be charging more for the equipment than for the labor anyway - although probably not much more.) So, get a labor quote, then setup an appointment and just tell them you bought your own equipment. They won't be happy about it, but then again, are you happy about $1400???

Your other option is to find another company that will do the service for you cheaper (make sure they are an ITI dealer - so as not to void your warranty), then PA has no excuse - they'll have to either unlock the panel for you or come out and do it themselves (which of course they will do, they don't want to lose out on the money.)

That's about it, unless you can get lucky and figure out their Receiver # - so you can reprogram it - getting the Account # is easy enough, it's probably on some of your paperwork somewhere.

Other than that, you don't really have much choice but to pay their prices. They cannot keep you from having another company service your equipment, though (even though technically you are leasing their equipment for the first 3 years.)

I don't suppose you've had the system installed in the last 3 days by chance? If so, cancel immediately and you owe them nothing. Then you can replace the system and monitor with whoever you want.

Let me know if you have any problems, I can do my best to deal with them if it will help.

Good luck!