How Not To Choose A Security Company
Ok, I have read a lot of the articles telling you how you need a security system and how you should choose Company X because they are just the greatest company in the business, and how their only concern is your security and peace of mind, and they have the most experienced people in the world, and so on and so on. Then you find out that they are an employee of the company and realize they are just advertising for their own benefit. Either they are selling for the company they are touting or are trying to get you to click on one of the ads on the page. Some can't use the English language well and you really never get anything out of the article.
Well, I too work for a security company, but would like to actually impart some information instead of just touting the benefits of my company. That is the reason for the title. What not to do when choosing the company that is supposed to protect you.
I would say the main thing not to do is: Do not use the companies that can afford to advertise on this page or get the top listing on Google. Click on an ad and go to the terms and conditions page, if they have one, or maybe a FAQ page. Check to see what their monthly charge is. See how long a contract you must sign. What the installation cost. What you have to do to cancel the contract. Some of their web sites don't list this info so if you are really considering using them, call them and find out.
Most of the ads are for one company. It happens to be the largest. If you go to their terms and conditions page, you see that you can get their package for $32.99 if you order over the internet and don't live in specific areas of the country and don't have to have a sales rep visit your home. If you want Carbon Monoxide or Smoke Detectors or Medical Alerts you have to pay more. You are supposed to get a system installed for $99. Well, you have to pay $349 plus a $25 communication setup fee at install, then wait for them to send you a coupon, fill out the coupon and send in with a copy of your installation contract and wait a couple of months to get $250 back. And if you pay less than $600 for installation, they own the equipment. Their contracts are for at least 3 years and at the end of the 3 years, it automatically renews. The only way to get out of the contract is to contact them within the specified time period at the end of the 3 years. Miss it, and you are stuck for another 3years.
Who is protecting you from being ripped off? Not them. Many of the ads are from authorized dealers of the above company and will actually cost you more than from the company itself. Some of these companies get upwards of $700 for their effort and then the parent company gets the contract. Who do you think actually pays that? Also, don't fall for the ads that say you can get up to x amount of free quotes on a new security system from top companies. They get paid for referrals from these companies.
Now what to do when choosing your alarm monitoring company. Go local. There are many local companies that provide the same equipment as the big national companies and at a much lower price. Many only require a year contract. Some will go month to month. Monthly fees are usually less than $25 and they don't charge extra for smoke detectors and CO2 monitors. The smaller companies are usually more responsive to service needs and can maintain better controls on employees. It is much easier to find one or two honest employees to install equipment than it is to find 30 or 40. After all, they will know where you live, what you have in your house and how to disarm the security system.
Check with your local Chamber of Commerce and the BBB and have 2 or 3 give you their free evaluations and prices. You should be able to find a much better deal.
About the Author
Steve owns a Dallas Security Company and has been in the security and life safety industry for over 20 years.
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