When getting service, it never hurts to ask

Posted on Fri 07/31/09 in My So Called Blog

I replaced nine windows in my house recently. Although we tried, my neighbor and I could not save the little sensors on the old windows that were used for our alarm system. Not a big deal. The wiring was still there, so I figured it would be $100-200 to have them come reinstall them. My neighbor told me he was charged $50/window when he had his replaced his way back when. Still somewhat stomachable.

So, I called my alarm company (one of the major ones), and they told me it would cost $90/hr. Fine. Right in line with my estimate. When I asked if that included the cost of the sensors, the answer almost knocked me to the floor. $85/sensor. “That is insane,” I told him. “You want me to pay a THOUSAND DOLLARS to have some sensors re-attached to the existing wiring on my windows! I would rather just pay off my contract ~$200, and change companies to somewhere offering free installation.”

“Well sir,” he replied, “I would be happy to put in the installation notes that there is no charge for the sensors.”

“That’s better.”

When the 25-year old installer was done with the job, he asked me if I wanted some more sensors (in case I wanted to set them up to arm with a window half-opened). At $85 a pop, I’ll take whatever he wants to give me. “Sure, that’d be great!”