Well I finally took over the apartment that I need to rehab. Lots to do. Going to be fun updating things and testing new stuff out.

I grabbed the Simplisafe system I just got and brought it home to activate it. I kept running into problems. I had updated the firmware so the free stuff no longer applies.

No worries. I signed up for the $9.99 a month self monitoring package. I don't need a camera so no wifi shouldn't be an issue.

Except it turns out it is an issue. With no wifo I can't do anything with the system under the $9.99 package. At least that is what I gathered from spending well over an hour with a chat guy.

Calling voice in the morning because you can't cancel via chat. My cellular camera only costs me $10/mo and I get pictures of what is happening.

It is a small place and the camera has worked for me for a few years. It is just a let down that Simplisafe has changed and will not work with just wifi now. No way am I going to pay for wifi at an empty place.

My other system is still working fine with no wifi and no contract because I didn't upgrade the firmware. That's the price I pay for keeping up to date I guess.

Don't fix what isn't broke. Too late, I guess.

I don't know why everyone thinks CHATGPT is so great, if that is what you are referring too, as what you just described is a perfect example of a major problem with it.

I presume you will be going back to the old system that was working fine?

zero,

I'm lost. My SimpliSafes do not need wifi for basic security, only for video.

What is your cellular camera set up?

The other Simplisafe unit I have works fine with no wifi.

The chat said that with the new firmware upgrade you can not use it without wifi with the $9.99 sub.

Calling them to cancel in a few and maybe get more details.

My cell cam is a Spypoint trail camera. It takes pics only, no video. I have unlimited pics per month so I set it to burst two at a time and the reset is as fast as allowed. Has night vision as well.

You going to the convention this year?

OK, so I just got off the phone with them. Lots of hold time and one transfer. Here is what they say now:

No longer get cellular with the $9.99 self monitored plan. Have to bump it up which I didn't want to do out of principle.

They offered to buy the system back, but I bought from a local guy who had it for a few years. I figured I would just add the keypad and sensors to my other system.

Then the lady on the line said that she could get me the upgraded monitored service for $9.99 as a special offer. If that was okay with me.

Well sure, since that was what I was going to pay anyhow. Put back on hold. I got my stuff ready to head out while waiting so it was only an inconvenience listening to the hold music.

She gets back on line and asks me if I cared to run the service thru a new special promotion they have. Service is free until June 26th, then it will revert to the $9.99 plan.

Umm, why ask me if I want free service? I said sure, we got the base station going and all is good with the world.

In conclusion I do not like that you have to call to cancel as it seems it will tie up a lot of time. I really do not like the fact that they want you to pay more for a lesser service. I think that is a flaw and possibly will keep me from getting a new system for my personal residence.

If you have a spare 3rd gen base station I would be willing to purchase it from you. Maybe even for lunch.

If they are Gen 3 units and it has been a year or so since you updated the firmware (or purchased them) then they should be good to go.