Home Security ADT Style: Not!!!

"ADT subsidizes the upfront cost of the customers' security and automation equipment, which is how we can offer no/low upfront fees,"
They just shift the money around so you think you're getting a great deal, but they lock you in for so many years at high monitoring costs to make up the money.  The cell phone companies do it too- look at how many "free" or reduced price phones you can get... with a contract.  They are making money.   It is unfortunate to be caught with such a fee, but consumers need to be more aware.  They also say it was in the contract that he signed.  It's a different business model and could work fine if you plan on keeping it for however many years the contract states- it's about like financing.  I buy a cell phone and add it to my plan because I can do it cheaper that way but I pay a larger amount at one time instead of over a period of the contract.   I like the SS model because the costs are handled up front and the monitoring is extra, not calculated as part of the companies income for the system they sell me.

Stinks for the guy in the article, but he chose to go that route.