Dear Editor,-
Are householders aware that their security companies have no back-up for testing/repairing expensive security items?
I am with a security company which is first class when it comes to armed response, however their technical department is an absolute disgrace.
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Judge for yourself:
My automated gate was not working. The technician told me that the motor was burnt out and would need to be replaced. Cost, R7 000. When I found I could buy one for R5 000 they offered to match the price. My tenant took the motor to a security shop in Manaba which repaired it for R450.
We have four beams around the house.
Beam one was not working and the technician advised it needed to be replaced – this cost R2 000.
The second beam was setting off the alarm for no reason and the technician said it had to be replaced.
The third beam was working before the technician arrived but not after he left.
The fourth beam, though it is supposed to be pet friendly, was being set off by the dog.
By the time that another ‘problem’ was solved by an unnecessary replacement, I was totally fed up and phoned the owner of the company who told me he had nobody to test or repair equipment and that if a security item was giving trouble, he simply replaced it with a new one!
After a lot of phoning around and talking to people who had similar problems, I found a local company which knew what they were doing, Auto Gate & Alarms who came out and did a complete assessment with the following results.
Beam one – there was nothing wrong but it had been replaced costing R2 000.
Beam two was indeed faulty.
Beam three had a small loose wire which they simply reconnected.
Beam four had been set up incorrectly and needed adjusting.
My advice to fellow householders is don’t just accept what your security technicians say. Demand a test by a reputable company and if in doubt, have it privately tested.
JENNY JACKSON
Sea Park
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