What is a Security System or a dealer package...?
Will I own my security system to include panel and keypads...?
Will I get new or used equipement...?
Can this system be monitored by another company or am I stuck...?
Are there service fees...?
How long will my system last...?
Local or National monitoring...?
Can my system be expanded later without having to replace control panel or keypads..?
Do I need a telephone back up system...?
Is there a monitoring contract...?
Will monotoring fee increase if fire, duress, or medical emergency response is added...?
Is my system and monitoring Underwriters Labatories approved...?
Who will bill me...?
Do I need to purchase a warrenty...?
Does the monitoring service have a WRITTEN guarantee response time...?
Will I own the equipment? Can this system be monitored by another company?
Great question to ask. Most companies will not let you own your system until after a contract period. The longer the contract period the less initial
investment for the system but the more you will pay in the end. When you own the system then there is no fear the company monitoring the system will
increase prices on you or take your equipment out. ALSO FIND OUT if the equipment and panel are proprietary. Meaning can this system be monitored
by any other security company? Most will tell you yes yet they can’t. Any good company will sell only non-proprietary systems due to they will want
to earn your business to keep your business.
If the company will not allow you to own your equipment (to include the panel and keypads) and if their equipment can not be monitored by someone else
this will put you at their advantage. ONLY INVEST IN NON-PROPRIETY SECURITY SYSTEMS THAT YOU OWN. BEWARE there is a major
security company that will mark Client Owned on your contract but if you where to read the back of their contracts they will maintain ownership during the
contract period. Also this major company reserves the right to increase monitoring rates after the first year of a three year contract. Unless it is in writing
don't believe it and don't believe even less if someone overwrites contract statements. I have actually seen sales rep. mark out contract statements on
the back of the contracts such as to not increase the monitoring charges this makes the contract legally void. It has been my experience even when a client
signs up for a one year contract it needs to BE A ONE YEAR CONTRACT not a three year with someone overwriting or writing 1 year contract.
Will I get new or used equipment?
Most state laws say if a company promises you new equipment (in writing or verbally) and you receive used or refurbished equipment then this is an illegal
transaction. Here in the state of Georgia this is very much true. You can report that company to the Georgia State Better Business Bureau. You need to ask
if you will be receiving new or used (it should be also stated on the contract). Of course this will drive the price of the initial investment of a security system
but it’s a great preventive maintenance measure for all involved.
Do I need an extended warrenty?
I DO NOT OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRENTY due to the high class of security systems and the standard manufactors warrenty (3 year
warrenty on panel and 1 year warrenty on devices) that is automatically extended to you when purchase a NEW SYSTEM with me. I DO NOT
OFFER A WARRENTY OF ANY SORT FOR PREXSISITNG SECURITY SYSTEMS! I'm not sure why major security companies don't extend their
manufactors warrenty to you the client rather than have you purchase an extened warrenty, their systems will come with only a 90day warrenty unless you
purchase their extended warrenty. Oh one last fact on considering any warrenty, why would you pay for a warrenty if you don't own the system?
However just in case you really want a warrenty I've provided the following information. Most companies will tack on anywhere from $7.00 to $10.00 a
month (that means $120.00 a year or $360.00 within three years), depending on the cost of your security system, as an extened warrenty. Now depending
on the company I would recommend a warrenty only because those companies have systems that will have problems or they have service fees. Another
thing for you to keep in mind is that their warrenty does not cover battery replacement for the panel ($75.00 charge) or security devices. Listed below is just
an example of one companies service fees. Even if you have an exteneded warrenty those companies may still charge a service fee, read your contracts
($25.00). KEEP IN MIND THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THE COMPANY I WORK FOR! If your system needs servicing for any reason, even if you
know what that reason is, other companies may charge:
Service trip from $25.00 to $75.00
Labor fees from $75.00 to 150.00
Material cost from $.50 to $500.00 if not more.
If you add up to three devices there is equipment and time cost but no Service fee.
If adding LESS than three devices a service fee of 75.00 plus equipement and time.
RATHER THAN BE BILLED SERVICE FEES CALL ME!!! I DO NOT OFFER A WARRENTY OF ANY SORT FOR PREXSISITNG SECURITY
SYSTEMS UNLESS YOU PURCHASE A NEW SYSTEM WITH ME! I'll help get your system up and running and in many cases lower your
monitoring fees from $5 to 7.00 LOWER than what you are currently paying (monitoring fees start at $18.95) with more protection.
How long will my system last?
Barring any Acts of God (see your contract) most dealer system avg a life of 2 to 3 years, but there are always exception to the rule. This is a quality issue
that will depend on what equipment your security company is using. Most “package deals” are not for someone who is looking at long term security (if
you are planning in staying in your home more than 2 years be very weary of these offers, even if backed by a major security company). The life time of a
security system should be at least 5 years to 15 in what I have seen. After 5 years the dialers within most security panels starts to slow down (a dialer is
what calls to a monitoring station to report an event, i.e. Fire, Intruder). When I go into a home and see the make and model of the panel (brains of the
system) and its supporting equipment I also look at the age of these devices and recommend if it should be replaced. Preventive service measures. Most
panels are put in the basement utility area which is dusty, and dust just isn’t good for any computer components even if it’s in a closed box.
Local or National Monitoring Stations …?
1) Ask where you will be monitored?
2) Will you have a local contact?
3) Will your system dial a toll free number?
4) Are there back up monitoring stations in the event your monitoring station should experence techincal difficults or Acts of God (weather).
5) Are ALL the monitoring station Underwriter Labatories approved? All major monitoring stations go through a monthly certification conducted by UL.
Ask to see your monitoring company’s certification certificate.
6) Who will be manning the monitoring station? And how are they trained? My personal experience has been with local companies you are dealing with a
rather young staff or a system that is paging someone to call you to see if you are ok.
7) Does your monitoring company have a GUARANTEE MONITORING RESPONSE TIME (in writting). My company will refund a month's basic
mnotiring fee if it fails to meet or exceed UL's stringent requirement of 45 seconds from receipt of signal to first respone. (conditions apply ask for details)
Do I need a telephone back up system…?
All security systems have a battery back up that in the event of your local power goes out your home will still be protected. If the battery should run low
your key pads will display this and if you are not around to respond these systems alert the monitoring station for help.
Does your telephone system have a back up? Only the best security companies offer this service. Basically if your phone lines should ever not function
due to cut phone lines, bad weather, construction, etc. your monitoring station is still able to watch and respond in the event of an emergency. If you have a
medical alert system I would highly recommend this product. With these security device our monitoring stations can continue to secure your family and
home. Without this security device there is no way any monitoring center can receive notice of a problem, call to check on your family, and call for help.
Most telephone back up systems are run from either a cellular, digital, or radio transmitter. If your security provider does not talk about a telephone back up
system they either don't know enough about security, don't offer it, or are tyring to sell you a security system and not security.
Is there a monitoring contract …?
Personally I believe a contract is the way to go, as long as the terms are spelled out clearly and I can select the term of agreement. Here are the other reasons
I would want a contract.
1) Ensures the security provider will be responsible in protecting my family and home. (an insurance deductible in any event)
2) Increase monitoring fees during the term of agreement. I have seen other companies send an automatic increase of $1.50 to $3.40 a month
for monitoring fees after a year of service due to their contracts leave them the right to increase and not let you cancel your 3 year contract. Again be aware of
what your contract tells you. (Can this system be monitored by another company?)
3) Insurance company will give you up a 20% discount if system is monitored vice just having a system in the home (check with your
insurance provider).
4) And most importantly it gives me peace of mind to know that when I’m not around someone is always there and will keep me informed.
Who will bill me and can I finance my security system…?
Most security companies will allow one or all of the following: (after credit checks no matter how you invest with them):
1) All up front (if under a certain amount) investment for the installation.
2) Half up front the other half at time of installation of your system if system is over a certain point.
3) Credit card (or bankcard) billing using your established card and will be billed at time of install.
4) Or a few companies offer a financial plan. (a credit check is required)
Offer of a free system may have a third party billing system. Remeber you get what you pay for, meaning QUALITY or PRICE is the main factor to keep
in mind. There are dealer programs backed by major security companies but if their major security backing does not purchase the contract they will have to
out source the billing and sometimes the monitoring. Meaning you may think that so-in-so is monitoring and billing you but they are not. Let me put it
another way, those major companies that sponsor dealer systems are phasing the dealer packages out due to the quality of systems and services that in the
long run cost the client and major company in time, manpower, and profits.
