Gunner wrote:

Thats the way the industry works. It wasnt all that long ago that ADT
was selling a $99.95 install the same way. It just about covered the
wholesale equipment cost. And most installers dont get paid all that
much.

Gunner, do you know anything about Alarm Relay Inc, based in San Diego?
They offer monitoring for $8.95/mo through the homesecuritystore
website. They can deal with most alarms except Brinks and some ADT
systems. There is a one-time setup/programming fee and they want a year
paid in advance.
Given they are 1/2 to 1/3 the going rate, I can see where they don't
want the expense/hassle of billing. And that does amount to a default
contract, but only a year at a time.

Jon