gorlin 0 Posted January 18, 2015 Guys, I'm new on the forum, and if this subject is not appropriate here, I apologize in advance. Please forgive the newbie. I'm on a condo board and we had some issues lately so I started looking into the idea of putting a CCTV system in the lobby / back entrance. I don't have experience with CCTV systems per se, but I've wired my whole house in the past, good with computers etc.. I've gotten a few quotes and the prices that I'm being quoted on hardware, are just simply significantly more than what I can buy the hardware from on newegg etc. I would much rather have a dealer lay out what their labor is vs trying to pad the hardware costs. For example, I was quoted this: 1.00 NVR: NVR 4000PX HIKVISION 4 Channel NVR System / 1080P VIDEO / Built in POE / 2000GB HDD = $999 1.00 IP CAMERA: 1080-3MP-D 3MP Dome Camera / 2.8mm Lens / Vandal Dome / Night Vision = $349 I can get the hardware with exact specifications for at least 1/2 the price... Please tell me if I'm thinking about this wrong? Thanks in advance. Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
secplus 0 Posted January 20, 2015 First of all, take a look at this from the Hikvision website: Unauthorized Distributors Policy Hikvision USA only supports products that are sold through company approved channels and will not support product sold outside these channels. Hikvision USA only provides Warranty Service and Technical Support for products purchased directly from an Authorized Hikvision USA Distribution Partner who are listed here: http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/distributionPartner-usa.asp?cid=17 Unauthorized North American Distributors include but are not limited to the following: Aliexpress (http://www.aliexpress.com) CCTVOne (Amazon Store, http://www.cctvone.com) Gemini Computers (http://www.geminicomputersinc.com) http://www.sears.com http://www.survellient.net http://www.syscom.com/www.epcom.net wrightwoodsurveillance.com Newegg (http://www.newegg.com) TechGeekShop (http://www.techgeekshop.com) Amazon (http://www.amazon.com) Before you purchase, please contact Hikvision USA Customer Service at csr@hikvisionusa.com if you have any questions or concerns if your source is authorized. http://www.hikvision.com/en/us/UnauthorizedDistributors.asp Second, are those prices installed? While I cannot say whether is a good price or not, since I'm a Dahua type of guy, this is a normal price for this type of equipment, since the installed also has to support it. I'm sorry, but don't be cheap with this stuff or all you are going to get bit in the rear in the future.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tomcctv 187 Posted January 20, 2015 But also take into account warranty ...... Does it come with hard drives If you have problems how much is it going to cost you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gorlin 0 Posted January 20, 2015 What I'm saying is, as someone who is not in the business of making money on this stuff and who is an end consumer, why would I care if my distributor is "authorized"? I mean. this is a glorified DVR.. and if I can purchase it for 1/2 the price.. and it breaks.. well, I can buy another one and still come out ahead.. By the way, I have no problem with the dealer charging for installation obviously, but I feel that if a dealer "marks up" the price of the hardware by a factor of 2, and then further charges for installation.. then the invoice is extremely disingenuous. How am I wrong? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boogieman 1 Posted January 20, 2015 What I'm saying is, as someone who is not in the business of making money on this stuff and who is an end consumer, why would I care if my distributor is "authorized"? I mean. this is a glorified DVR.. and if I can purchase it for 1/2 the price.. and it breaks.. well, I can buy another one and still come out ahead.. By the way, I have no problem with the dealer charging for installation obviously, but I feel that if a dealer "marks up" the price of the hardware by a factor of 2, and then further charges for installation.. then the invoice is extremely disingenuous. How am I wrong? Look they are all going to do this...mechanics do it on car parts...appliance repair guys..etc.. Can you save a TON by doing it yourself..yes..if you know what you are doing and do it right.. It all boils down to whether you want to take the heat if there are issues...also consider your state laws..since you are not installing in your personal residence but in a common area... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
secplus 0 Posted January 23, 2015 I'm all for saving money, and maybe this particular dealer's price seem a bit high for you. Also take into consideration, and this is a proven fact; 90% of un-authorized dealers, including those on eBay and Amazon, sell knockoff equipment claiming that they are the brand they say. All I'm telling you is to be careful and try to call the dealer before you give them any money to make sure that at the very least they pic up the phone Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boogieman 1 Posted January 23, 2015 I'm all for saving money, and maybe this particular dealer's price seem a bit high for you. Also take into consideration, and this is a proven fact; 90% of un-authorized dealers, including those on eBay and Amazon, sell knockoff equipment claiming that they are the brand they say. All I'm telling you is to be careful and try to call the dealer before you give them any money to make sure that at the very least they pic up the phone They are not selling knockoff equipment...most of the time its just not meant for the US region market...When you buy hikvision China region cams they are still made by hikvision...For all you know the installer is getting the cheaper cams as well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gorlin 0 Posted January 23, 2015 Yeah, I'm fairly certain that newegg is not selling knock offs. LIsten, maybe that's just an accepted practice in CCTV industry, but I find it a deceptive practice to put the hardware costs comingled with a mark up and then add an installation fee on top of that. I would be perfectly fine if the hardware costs were true and there was a higher installation fee. Based on my experience so far, I'm tempted to hire my handyman/electrician to run the wire and just connect everything myself. I did get one competitive quote but it's using LTS equipment. I looked at reviews and the equipment seems to be of poor quality. Can anyone confirm that my thinking is right? Thanks guys! Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boogieman 1 Posted January 23, 2015 Yeah, I'm fairly certain that newegg is not selling knock offs. LIsten, maybe that's just an accepted practice in CCTV industry, but I find it a deceptive practice to put the hardware costs comingled with a mark up and then add an installation fee on top of that. I would be perfectly fine if the hardware costs were true and there was a higher installation fee. Based on my experience so far, I'm tempted to hire my handyman/electrician to run the wire and just connect everything myself. I did get one competitive quote but it's using LTS equipment. I looked at reviews and the equipment seems to be of poor quality. Can anyone confirm that my thinking is right? Thanks guys! Mike First, newegg is not selling anything...there are third party sellers from china selling VIA newegg...its the same stuff being sold on ali express or ebay....if you go that route get buy from a reputable ali express seller or newegg/ebay whatever is cheaper. You have misinformation about LTS...they mostly sell rebranded hikvision-the cameras will be the same as any hikvision you buy. They provide 3 year warranties and have excellent customer service...they ship from NJ and i think California (not sure) but I get my orders next day...Forum member milkisbad is an LTS rep... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gorlin 0 Posted January 23, 2015 Ok then. Thank you very much for the info. This is the quote that I got from the dealer that I think is being quite reasonable. They didn't include a dvr cabinet, but that's fine, I'll figure that out.. $900 bucks with LTS equipment. Does this sound fair / reasonable? Thank you in advance for your help. 01/21/2015 2TB Security Camera Hard Drive 1 119.95 01/21/2015 4CH H.264 30FPS 1080P DVR 1 299.95 01/21/2015 Installation of DVR 1 99.95 01/21/2015 4IR Vandal Proof 1080P 2.1Mega Pixel, Infra Red 120FT 2 169.95 01/21/2015 4 Port 10 AMP Power Supply 1 59.95 01/21/2015 Installation of Camera 2 99.95 01/21/2015 19 Inch HP Monitor 1 99.95 Total $1219 Discount 400 Final After Tax $895 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boogieman 1 Posted January 23, 2015 Ok then. Thank you very much for the info. This is the quote that I got from the dealer that I think is being quite reasonable. They didn't include a dvr cabinet, but that's fine, I'll figure that out.. $900 bucks with LTS equipment. Does this sound fair / reasonable? Thank you in advance for your help. 01/21/2015 2TB Security Camera Hard Drive 1 119.95 01/21/2015 4CH H.264 30FPS 1080P DVR 1 299.95 01/21/2015 Installation of DVR 1 99.95 01/21/2015 4IR Vandal Proof 1080P 2.1Mega Pixel, Infra Red 120FT 2 169.95 01/21/2015 4 Port 10 AMP Power Supply 1 59.95 01/21/2015 Installation of Camera 2 99.95 01/21/2015 19 Inch HP Monitor 1 99.95 Total $1219 Discount 400 Final After Tax $895 That is a very good price but understand that its for SDI - HD analog..this is not an ip system...it will still be good quality but might pose upgrade problems/limitations in the future... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
