DH wants a security system!

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
DH wants a security system!
16
Sun, 07-17-2005 - 12:37am
Hi, everyone. I need your advice on how to steer DH from investing in a security system. During the last visit to family, my DM decided to get this fancy alarm system for her house. DM has been talking to DH that we need one. An expensive one. This is not ADT. This is 007 James Bond stuff. Foghorn blasting above bedroom doors. Preprogrammed lights outside. Fancy codes and wires. Well, when I visited the last time, I must have tripped a wire or beam while getting up to go to the BR. At 3AM. OMG, there was security folks at the front door. AND, phone ringing off the hook from the security control center. I half expected F-16's to fly overhead. I will take all suggestions on how to steer DH from getting a system. Any ideas? LOL, WHiz.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Sun, 07-17-2005 - 9:04am

Food for thought:(and this could work on other things, soo)

1. Has he done any research on this and gotten a price? Show him how it doesn't fit the budget or hinders your debt reduction needs.
2. Do you think it's really an exciting toy instead of a family need? Have you asked him in detail why he thinks you need one?
3. Is there anything much cheaper that could be satisfactory substitute?
4. Is this "keeping up with the Joneses?"
5. Is he willing to give up something/sell something to get this?
6. Is there some other underlying reason he wants this that you may not be aware of yet?

Good luck! Littlesbigs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2005
Sun, 07-17-2005 - 12:45pm
Oh, and find out how much of the cost of this security system can be off-set by reduced home owner's insurance.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2005
Sun, 07-17-2005 - 1:27pm
Hi,
Excellent advice from Littlesbigs. I'm wondering why your mom got the system? Does she live alone? Who sold her on this expensive system? Someone convinced her that she needed it, and now she has justified the expense for herself. Your family getting the same system would further reinforce the idea that she did the right thing.
But, your living arrangements must be much different from your mother's -- there are at least 2 of you living at home -- do you have a dog?
Anyway, I know salespeople like to target older people living alone for these systems -- almost preying on their fears. I wonder if there was a huge spike in home breakins where your mom lives? I doubt it, but that is one of the arguments sales people use to sell to older people.
Megan
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 07-18-2005 - 12:40pm
Hi! I don't know if this will help, but we had a security system installed in our old house and regretted it. It was such a PAIN that we stopped using it, but had to keep paying for it. In fact most people I know who have one, don't use it. I guess the biggest factor for me was that every time I came in I had to disarm the system. Which is hard to do when you are carrying stuff like groceries or a baby.
BTW -- some companies offer you referral bonuses if you get someone else to sign up.
Our new house has no security system. Just a deadbolt and good relations with neighbors (we watch out for each other).
Sandra
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 07-18-2005 - 1:47pm

Sandra,

I completely agree! Ours seems to be wired incorrectly, too. It's ackward to key in the code and seemed to go off whenever it wanted to for know reason. The only time it didn't go off was when we were robbed. Seem that the company messed up and wasn't in-tune with our house. Less than $2000.00 of stuff was taken/broken but it was a struggle getting the security company to pay out. Our insurance refused to pay because the security system was obviously not doing their job. Took almost 6 months for them to reimburse us.

We stopped using it because it was just too much hassle.

Lynne

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Mon, 07-18-2005 - 7:24pm
Hi, Sandra. Thanks for the timely info on this security thing. Yes, my DM does the same thing. It's "beat the clock" when she would come back from shopping, etc., so that foghorn alarm wouldn't go off. I may just decide to upgrade the lights, deadbolts, and a sign that says "Guard Dog on Duty".(we have no "guard" dog). Someone told me you can get a tape of various sounds----TV, music, dogs barking and growling, and that should be a deterrent. I told DH that he should think about it. THanks again. WHiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Mon, 07-18-2005 - 8:06pm
Hi, LB--I appreciated your thought-provoking questions. I think the real reason DH wants one is that DM was sold on this security thing due to alleged neighborhood break-ins, and the fact that it is so dark around her house at night on the street. We dont have that problem in our neighborhood though. I think he has been seeing too many ads for these things, and talking to DM too much. She is not letting the topic go.. Electronic means high-tech. wi-fi, etc. to the DH male ego.,and security. More lights, bells and whistles mean "better protected". Now, this is from a DH who NEVER buys top-of-the-line anything, "cheaper is better" mantra, etc. I plan to go to Home Depot, etc, and see what I can find out about lights, timers, etc. THanks again. WHiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2005
Mon, 07-18-2005 - 8:18pm

Whiz,

We have a security system at our house, because the house came with it. We have never used it. Not once. This is coming from me who is deathly afraid of the dark (I kid you not. . . it terrifies me). I will NOT use a security system. The idea of being a prisoner in my own house due to too much surveillance is worse than my fear of the dark and of being robbed.

Good luck convincing your husband.

~Denice

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Mon, 07-18-2005 - 10:35pm

You're welcome!

Maybe buying a couple lights for around the outside of the house may satisfy him or some inexpensive security gadget may satisfy him....when you start signing service contracts and start installing equipment you don't understand you start seeing long term dollar signs.....Good luck! Littlesbigs

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 07-20-2005 - 3:11am

I had a guy come and give us a whole sales talk about a security system.

All my best,
Danni

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