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Original poster

Is there a drawback to a ring doorbell type thing?

152 replies

coodawoodashooda · 28/12/2023 12:20

I'm wondering about getting one. Any thoughts to help me decide? The only negative is that you could never again pretend you weren't in. Not that I do that, unless I'm ill. Anything else I should consider?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Hankunamatata · 28/12/2023 12:23

The annoying ring?

12345onceIcaughta · 28/12/2023 12:24

You can still pretend you’re not in, just don’t answer it.
Or answer it and say you’re not in.

Deathbyathousandcats · 28/12/2023 12:25

Our neighbours have one that rings externally too, drives me mad. Is that a feature that can be turned off?

SweetFemaleAttitude · 28/12/2023 12:27

Why do you think you can't pretend you're not in?

Aquamarine1029 · 28/12/2023 12:27

Deathbyathousandcats · 28/12/2023 12:25

Our neighbours have one that rings externally too, drives me mad. Is that a feature that can be turned off?

Yes. The chime can be turned off or it's volume adjusted.

Aquamarine1029 · 28/12/2023 12:28

SweetFemaleAttitude · 28/12/2023 12:27

Why do you think you can't pretend you're not in?

That's what I'm wondering. I've done so loads of times.

SoupDragon · 28/12/2023 12:28

I can hear the ones from my neighbours on both sides! Seems ridiculous.

personally, I won't take parcels to my neighbours any more because of the ring doorbells. I hate the idea of being "spied on" (although I do know this is my own personal issue!)

orchiddottyback · 28/12/2023 12:28

The only negative is from my Eufy dual door bell, is the motion senor going off in high winds now and again.

But the plus side its free as their is no subscription, it has anti loiter on it so I can set it it to speak if someone is handing around my door.
I can record my own replies, so it currently asks all cold callers, sales, religious and political callers to leave without me answering the door.
It also has a camera in the bottom that records and tracks any one leaving a parcel and if any one tries to remove it. :)

Original poster
coodawoodashooda · 28/12/2023 12:28

SweetFemaleAttitude · 28/12/2023 12:27

Why do you think you can't pretend you're not in?

I guess I mean the vositor would know that you'd know they'd turned up.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 28/12/2023 12:29

SoupDragon · 28/12/2023 12:28

I can hear the ones from my neighbours on both sides! Seems ridiculous.

personally, I won't take parcels to my neighbours any more because of the ring doorbells. I hate the idea of being "spied on" (although I do know this is my own personal issue!)

You must not go anywhere then.

ObliviousCoalmine · 28/12/2023 12:31

No drawbacks, they're great.

Theunamedcat · 28/12/2023 12:31

I find it easier to pretend to be out because I can see who is there and ignore

nutbrownhare15 · 28/12/2023 12:32

One article I read suggested it marks your house as being worthy of extra security so might make you more of a target for thieves.

Winter2020 · 28/12/2023 12:35

If someone comes along and tries your door, peers through your letterbox, tries your car door handles you will know, which could creep you out. Perhaps you would prefer to know but perhaps you wouldn't.

Mespher · 28/12/2023 12:36

You have to charge the batteries unless it is hardwired in which is a bit of a pain

s4usagefingers · 28/12/2023 12:37

SoupDragon · 28/12/2023 12:28

I can hear the ones from my neighbours on both sides! Seems ridiculous.

personally, I won't take parcels to my neighbours any more because of the ring doorbells. I hate the idea of being "spied on" (although I do know this is my own personal issue!)

You can just knock on their door instead. We have a ring doorbell and get mainly knocks on the door. I think a lot of people don’t like to be watched all the time.

Personally I’d rather have a normal doorbell but my husband likes it. It is handy for checking what time you last took the dog out etc. otherwise it’s a bit of a pain in the arse. I turned notifications off and don’t really use it at all.

Gingerlygreen · 28/12/2023 12:41

I like ours, I regularly use the camera to have a look what's going on outside and it's useful when you have a delivery because you can speak to the driver and get them to leave the parcel in the porch etc

We've put one up in the back garden too as a security camera.

The reason we got one initially was because my disabled Mum lives with us and one day when we were out a guy knocked the door to say there was a cat underneath her car that was parked on the drive, he kept asking her to go out and have a look. Luckily she didn't and told him that she'd get my dh to have a look when he got out of the shower upstairs.

SkiingIsHeaven · 28/12/2023 12:42

Two drawbacks; my husband knows when I got home so I can't pretend that I just got back as in "I haven't had time to.......as I have just walked in the door". Same applies to him though.

Second one was that he could see what i was sneaking back. I didn't want him to see the Christmas presents I had bought him.

I find them really useful because I am in and out all day so can quickly speak to visitors or delivery people (unless they are the ones who play ring and run).

I also have proof that no one attempted delivery when this is used as an excuse.

Once had a cold caller who became very abusive. I had video proof of what happened and what he looked like. He left when I pointed at the ring and said "say cheese".

Also found out that my daughter was smoking after I went to bed. Video proof so she couldn't say it wasn't her.

All in all I am happy that we bought one.

Topofthemountain · 28/12/2023 12:43

Winter2020 · 28/12/2023 12:35

If someone comes along and tries your door, peers through your letterbox, tries your car door handles you will know, which could creep you out. Perhaps you would prefer to know but perhaps you wouldn't.

Yes, you can use it to spam Facebook and witter on about how dreadful society is nowadays.

I think for some people it has turned them into a nervous wreck.

greenacrylicpaint · 28/12/2023 12:43

they are usually connected to the internet and can therefore be hacked. or the data can be sold or used for 'studies'

Topofthemountain · 28/12/2023 12:46

They can also be used by an abusive partner.

sallyisstarstruck · 28/12/2023 12:49

My DH would say a downside is that I can now see if he has a sneaky McDonald's for lunch. 😂

Bagpuss2022 · 28/12/2023 12:53

I wouldn’t like to be watched and like a PP it can be abused by a controlling partner/parent.
Im home 95% of the time so no need for one so we don’t

BeyondMyWits · 28/12/2023 12:54

My boss got rid of hers as it fed her anxiety. She was looking at it too often.**

Elphame · 28/12/2023 12:55

greenacrylicpaint · 28/12/2023 12:43

they are usually connected to the internet and can therefore be hacked. or the data can be sold or used for 'studies'

This is why I won't have one