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30 January 2009

The problem with these Brinks Home Security commercials (well, one of several problems) is →[More:]that they undermine the very product they're trying to sell.

Watch a few of them; every time, the attackers run away at the sound of the alarm, while the Vulnerable Female talks on the phone with Brinks Security, who have called the house.

Clearly, you don't need an expensive, subscription based home security system to be protected. You just need a really loud alarm. Problem solved.

post by: BoringPostcards at: 12:56 | 9 comments

Gah. I hate those ads.

posted by occhiblu 30 January | 13:00

"GET OFF MY PHONE, YOU STUPID FUCK, I'M TRYING TO CALL 911 TO REPORT A HOME INVASION!!!!"

This is what I think whenever I see these ads.

posted by BitterOldPunk 30 January | 13:12

This system offers no protection from Robot Attacks.

posted by pieisexactlythree 30 January | 13:17

Another problem: What if you're not home? They call the house. *ring ring ring* Burglar hears the answering machine pick up and goes, "Oh, awesome, empty house."

Or they call your cell phone, like they did when the GF and I accidentally set off the alarm on her landlord's shed. They called the landlord, who was 200 miles away, and told her that the alarm was going off. I mean, what good does that do?

posted by mudpuppie 30 January | 13:29

We got talked into an alarm system by out real-estate agent and in a year an a half have not actually every armed the intrusion part of it. It does have a wired smoke alarm system that we like but mostly it's an expensive door chime.

posted by octothorpe 30 January | 13:42

Actually you don't need the loud alarm either. Just a sign in your front yard and/or on your door saying you have an alarm.

posted by birdherder 30 January | 15:23

A couple of points from someone who actually has a Brinks alarm system* . . .

* The system does make loud noises, but it also dispatches the police
* The phone call isn't necessarily to your home phone, it can be your mobile phone, so if I'm out of town I get the call
* Even if it was your home phone, and the burglar answered, the first question you're asked is a password
* As mudpuppie mentioned, the alarm has a smoke/heat detector as well and so in the event of a fire it will summon the fire department

Is it worth it? For me, hell yes: I travel about half the month and live in a 'transitional neighborhood' where there are bursts of home break-ins and thefts . . .I was robbed this summer after failing to arm the alarm-doh!

posted by donovan 30 January | 16:00

I have no opinion at all about the system. But the commercials, damn... when Vulnerable Female is taking the phone call, you should be able to hear the intruder taking an ax to the outside of the bedroom door, or be able to see one of the kids getting dragged out of a window in the background.

Now THAT would be an effective commercial. Traumatic, but effective.

posted by BoringPostcards 30 January | 16:08

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by pieisexactlythree 30 January | 17:59

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