Hi,

There's a few numbers already posted for Custodian but none for their Smart Test automated service. Is it possible to get this number? Or does the fact it's automated make any difference?

Thanks

Hello and welcome to SAYNOTO0870.COM.

Numbers listed are those that are found. If there's a number that isn't listed, then it's either because no one's looked or no one's been successful in finding an alternative.

If you are asking for help to find a suitable alternative, then please give some information! Just because I or anyone else has never head of Custodian, does not mean that we cannot help.

Based on the only information provided (that the company's name is "Custodian"), I have found four entries in the database:

Verified:
Custodian Monitoring     0870 609 1001          0115 986 2740          Alarm monitoring

Unverified:
Custodian Monitoring       0870 609 1021             0113 235 5179             Admin
Custodian Monitoring       0870 609 1001             0115 934 1051             Alarm monitoring control room - customer line
Custodian Monitoring             0844 879 1703       0115 934 1051             Control Room Number

The hyperlink on the verified entry is for www.custodianmonitoring.com. Is this the company in question?  :-?

I note that the website's contact page gives only 0844 numbers. As the verified entry has only a 0870 number, I guess that this is another company which has moved to continue receiving subsidy from callers.

If you have used any unverified number, then please post to let us know and I will verify the entry.

A few items to consider with Custodian and the reasons for 0844

Custodian monitors alarm systems on behalf of various alarm companies

The call centre you are calling is NOT a customer service centre. They do NOT make marketing calls. In most cases you will NOT even be Custodians customer, you will be the customer of the alarm company which installed/maintains your alarm system. Custodian in any case aim to answer your call within 15 seconds and be able to complete the call within 75 seconds.

It is an ALARM MONITORING centre. The main function of the agents that you will be speaking to is to monitor and react to incoming alarm signals including life safety alarms such as personal attack and fire alarms.

When you call in on a 0115 number avoiding the automated testing facility you are taking an agent away from the task of being able to react to any incoming life safety alarm. While you are saving a few pence someone could, literally, be dying (keep in mind that that someone could be you)

so perhaps using the 0844 in this case is not such a hardship The automated testing facility should take no longer than 30 seconds to place your alarm system on test and most other issues should be dealt with through the alarm installing company, in any case. Custodian are also able to offer web access for many adminstrative tasks should your alarm installing company agree.

Although I cannot verify any numbers I hope this is helpful

naysayer wrote on Sep 27^th, 2010 at 2:48am:

When you call in on a 0115 number avoiding the automated testing facility you are taking an agent away from the task of being able to react to any incoming life safety alarm. While you are saving a few pence someone could, literally, be dying (keep in mind that that someone could be you)

When the 01/02/03 alternatives that answer the same as the 0844 premium numbers are made available to us, then they will be listed.



naysayer wrote on Sep 27^th, 2010 at 2:48am:

so perhaps using the 0844 in this case is not such a hardship The automated testing facility should take no longer than 30 seconds to place your alarm system on test and most other issues should be dealt with through the alarm installing company, in any case. Custodian are also able to offer web access for many adminstrative tasks should your alarm installing company agree. Although I cannot verify any numbers I hope this is helpful

It (and the other postings you have made in this forum on other threads on the same subject) is helpful in our understanding that you are obviously an industry insider.

There is another thread on another monitoring company which you haven't posted on which was started by an alarm engineer. A real person trying to earn a crust. He incurs around £30 to £40 per month on his mobile telephone bill in the course of his job due to the alarm company using 0844 numbers.

The charges levied by mobile operators for 0844 numbers are largely for themselves with a (relatively speaking) little benefit to the receiver (alarm company).

The alarm companies that behave in this way clearly have no regard for those needing to call them. If they did, then they would issue 01/02/03 numbers for these purposes and then impose overt service charges openly to make up for the loss of subsidy by changing phone number.