How do they do it for that ridiculously low price for installation?

1) You’re committed: You must commit to a 36 to 60 month agreement for monitoring service. What if your needs change, what if maybe you need to relocate or maybe the system has broken and you simply can not afford to repair it, sorry. There is virtually no out, shy of paying off the balance of your contract. In many cases you are leasing or financing the system, which is why you are committed.

2) The dealer program: Don't be surprised to find out companies selling these systems are “Dealers” of a third party, usually a large well known national company. This dealer is nothing more than a sales and installation machine, used to lower their cost and separate liability. The actual installer who is working in your home, many times is not even a true employee of the installation company, and has no FASA or BASA certification. This certification is required by Florida State law, and is your proof the technician working in your premises has meet the minimum training and has pass a criminal background exam.

Once the system is installed and operational, your monitoring contact is sold to a second company of their choosing. What do you think their incentive is to use quality equipment on your installation? Each additional dollar spent on quality comes directly out of their pocket. Once the system is installed it becomes another company’s responsibility to service and maintain these systems.

A Dealer or Agent is still required by the State of Florida to be a licensed contractor, if you decide to deal with one, make certain you request a copy of his state license prior to signing a contract.

3) The monthly charge: In many agreements the company has the right to increase your monthly charges 10 % per year for the life of the contract. So a $32.95 monthly charge could become a $48.25 monthly charge by the 5^th year.

4) The warranty: The warranty is usually for the first 90 days. In some cases the warranty may be for the life of the monitoring contact, but only on the specific package items. The extras and battery are usually excluded from the warranty, which means you will be paying additional for most of the service.

5) The cost: The true cost of these giveaway systems (3 door contacts and a motion detector) including equipment, labor for installation and the salesman’s commission is at least $500.00 plus the cost of the electrical permit. So the company is really simply buying you as a customer to get that monthly fee which you are responsible for, for the term of their contract.

6) The central station: Many of these systems are monitored by one national monitoring center for the entire country, monitoring hundred of thousands or in some cases millions, of customers. By consolidating all of their customers in one large central station, their cost to monitor those customers is much lower than if they had a central station in each local market. Now I ask you, how would you like to be just one in a million? The last thing you want to hear when you are trying to cancel a false alarm is “Please hold for the next available operator.” It is always best to use a local central station, which is familiar with your police and fire departments policies and dispatching procedures.

7) What do you really save: With the cost of false alarm fines as high as $200 each, does it really make sense to buy the cheapest? Remember, no matter who is at fault for the false alarm, it is the homeowner who pays the fines.

No alarm company is giving their products away; you will be paying for it one way or another. Doesn’t it just make more sense having a system custom designed to meet your individual and unique needs, one easy to use and designed to prevent false alarms.

You are buying peace of mind, when you purchasing a security system. You are also buying the reputation of the company and their employees, you want them to be there to monitor and maintain your system for many years to come.

If you were shopping for a parachute instead of a security system, would you be looking for the cheapest one you could find?

Other Things to Consider

In most cases you do not own the equipment or the system at any time; it belongs to the alarm company.

Problem:

1) When you sell your home this could become your worst nightmare, you can not legally sell the alarm system with the home or list it in the sales contact because the system does not belong to you. Also you must try to get the new buyer of your home to take over your liability of the balance of your contract. (Not always an easy task) If you are unsuccessful it could cost you thousands of dollars to pay off the balance of your agreement.

2) If you decide for what ever reason to change companies you would be required to pay the balance on the agreement and have the company remove all their equipment and pay for the installation and permit all over again with the new company.

Many companies say they will reinstall the system in your new home if you move or relocate. (At an additional cost, and you must sign or extend your contract)

Problem:

What are the odds your old system will be the right system for your new home? And what about all those holes and wires in your old house, who do you think is going to repair your holes and remove all those wires. In most cases you are responsible for the cost of all those repairs, which could cost you more than a new system. It’s not like moving your washer or dryer it’s more like moving your bathtub. At first it sounds like a good deal, but is it really?

Most system package includes just 2 or 3 door and window contacts and a motion detector.

Problem:

What if you have more doors and windows? What do you think; it will cost you more money. Sometimes one additional motion detector added to a package can cost more than the entire system package, and keep in mind you don’t own it!

As you are getting estimates and interviewing alarm companies, do your homework before inviting them into you home. Ask for references in advance no matter how large and well know the company may be.

Problem:

Remember you are inviting a stranger into your home and showing them all your valuable possessions and point out your security weakness. Make sure even if you don’t buy a system from that company, at least they can be trusted. If you don't believe me, click here to read who was working as the installation manager for for well know national alarm company. (Don’t invite a fox into the henhouse!)

Read the contract - Read the contract - Read the contract
Before you commit !