I don't know why I haven't posted this before, but another thread got me thinking about this so I decided to fill every one in on what I know. I don't profess to be the all knowing guru, but I will give you my perspective of the industry...
First off, let me say that security systems do serve a purpose in life. If I speak of them as if they are all junk... they are not. Actually the system itself is usually quiet good, it's just the people that sell it to you and put it in that you need to worry about.
I'll start with salesmen. If someone comes to your door trying to sell you a security system, they should have an ID from an alarm licensing board from the state you live in. I'm sure every state does things different with how they license, and some may not even have a license. If you live in NC, VA, or SC I know that anyone that works in the business is required to have a license on their person any time they go to a customers house or business. If someone tries give you a security consultation do not let them in if they can't present a license. They may have just forgotten it, or they may be casing your house. The point is YOU CAN'T TELL.
I don't want to say that every man or woman that sells security systems (or "consultants" or whatever they call themselves) is a leach or parasite, but some of them are. There are good and bad, that's for sure. The problem with the business (in NC anyway) is that everyone is too wrapped up in offering promotional "free" installation. It's so heavily advertised as free that everyone expects it to be so, even in a 3000 sq ft house. It's up to the salesman (consultant) to identify the needs of a particular job and recommend additional equipment for adaquete coverage. The problem is, everyone gets paid more to put in 2 basic systems than they do for 1 adequate system, so that is what people are encouraged to push. That and many consultants are afraid to recommend the additional equipment that would make the coverage adequate for fear of turning the customer off of the sale, so they just sale a basic system and in some cases horribly under-equip a home or business.
See, the "free" basic system with equipment and installation "free" usually just includes 2 or 3 doors, 1 motion detecter, 1 keypad, and 1 INTERIOR siren. Mind you will not be able to hear this siren well from outside the house. Mind you the motion detector does little good while you are home for obvious reasons, and many houses may have more than 2 or 3 doors. This excludes all of the windows, crawl space door, etc. Many times this is not even close to enough to coverage. This isn't a bad value as it keeps the cost of the additional equipment down, it's just that most "consultants" are afraid to tell people that they may have to spend up to 500 or 600 extra dollars or more to have adequate coverage. They are concentrating too hard on making the sale in the first place.
If you do get a consultation, here are some things to beware of. This is not all inclusive, and not everything here is a concrete red flag, but a combination of a lot of these things should tip you off.
1. Catch phrases like "if you could garauntee the safety of your house for just a dollar a day, isn't it worth it?". Security systems are not the be all end all, and even the best security system can be circumvented by the right person. That being said, it is not a garauntee no matter what.
2. If anyone tries to sell you a smoke detector for anything over 120 bucks that is monitered, be weary. Some legit companies do it but I've seen them go for 200 bucks and that's highway robbery. A smoke costs the company like 20 bucks with maybe 2 bucks of wire in it. Granted they have to pay the installer and salesman, but it still doesn't cost the company more than 60 bucks tops to put it in you're house. I'm not gonna post fair prices for all the equipment, would take too long, but mind you most of this stuff isn't as advanced as it sounds.
3. Someone that emphesizes "free" system constantly. They shouldn't quote any price untill after they determine how much coverage you need. You should expect them to look around your house, so don't get freaked out. When they walk around they should act with authority, but if they act sheepish don't write them off just be wary.
4. The best "consultants" will admit that a security system is not the be all end all. Properly installed it can greatly increase the security of your home, but security is a lifestyle. We all know that. Just be aware that there are other things you can do, good secure doors and windows. The best "consultants" will make suggestions other than a security system, such as window lamination or window pins.
5. Make sure, and I do emphasize this, that the resistors are put at the end of the line. This is not a required standard, but ask if they can use double end of line resistors.
6. SHOP AROUND!!! SHOP AROUND!!! SHOP AROUND!!! I know it's not comfortable to let 2 or 3 guys walk around your house but you want to gauge the company and salesman against some others to get the best service/deal. Try to make the house walk through the last part of the deal so you can weed out week candidates first, which limits who you give free rein of your house to.
First off, let me say that security systems do serve a purpose in life. If I speak of them as if they are all junk... they are not. Actually the system itself is usually quiet good, it's just the people that sell it to you and put it in that you need to worry about.
I'll start with salesmen. If someone comes to your door trying to sell you a security system, they should have an ID from an alarm licensing board from the state you live in. I'm sure every state does things different with how they license, and some may not even have a license. If you live in NC, VA, or SC I know that anyone that works in the business is required to have a license on their person any time they go to a customers house or business. If someone tries give you a security consultation do not let them in if they can't present a license. They may have just forgotten it, or they may be casing your house. The point is YOU CAN'T TELL.
I don't want to say that every man or woman that sells security systems (or "consultants" or whatever they call themselves) is a leach or parasite, but some of them are. There are good and bad, that's for sure. The problem with the business (in NC anyway) is that everyone is too wrapped up in offering promotional "free" installation. It's so heavily advertised as free that everyone expects it to be so, even in a 3000 sq ft house. It's up to the salesman (consultant) to identify the needs of a particular job and recommend additional equipment for adaquete coverage. The problem is, everyone gets paid more to put in 2 basic systems than they do for 1 adequate system, so that is what people are encouraged to push. That and many consultants are afraid to recommend the additional equipment that would make the coverage adequate for fear of turning the customer off of the sale, so they just sale a basic system and in some cases horribly under-equip a home or business.
See, the "free" basic system with equipment and installation "free" usually just includes 2 or 3 doors, 1 motion detecter, 1 keypad, and 1 INTERIOR siren. Mind you will not be able to hear this siren well from outside the house. Mind you the motion detector does little good while you are home for obvious reasons, and many houses may have more than 2 or 3 doors. This excludes all of the windows, crawl space door, etc. Many times this is not even close to enough to coverage. This isn't a bad value as it keeps the cost of the additional equipment down, it's just that most "consultants" are afraid to tell people that they may have to spend up to 500 or 600 extra dollars or more to have adequate coverage. They are concentrating too hard on making the sale in the first place.
If you do get a consultation, here are some things to beware of. This is not all inclusive, and not everything here is a concrete red flag, but a combination of a lot of these things should tip you off.
1. Catch phrases like "if you could garauntee the safety of your house for just a dollar a day, isn't it worth it?". Security systems are not the be all end all, and even the best security system can be circumvented by the right person. That being said, it is not a garauntee no matter what.
2. If anyone tries to sell you a smoke detector for anything over 120 bucks that is monitered, be weary. Some legit companies do it but I've seen them go for 200 bucks and that's highway robbery. A smoke costs the company like 20 bucks with maybe 2 bucks of wire in it. Granted they have to pay the installer and salesman, but it still doesn't cost the company more than 60 bucks tops to put it in you're house. I'm not gonna post fair prices for all the equipment, would take too long, but mind you most of this stuff isn't as advanced as it sounds.
3. Someone that emphesizes "free" system constantly. They shouldn't quote any price untill after they determine how much coverage you need. You should expect them to look around your house, so don't get freaked out. When they walk around they should act with authority, but if they act sheepish don't write them off just be wary.
4. The best "consultants" will admit that a security system is not the be all end all. Properly installed it can greatly increase the security of your home, but security is a lifestyle. We all know that. Just be aware that there are other things you can do, good secure doors and windows. The best "consultants" will make suggestions other than a security system, such as window lamination or window pins.
5. Make sure, and I do emphasize this, that the resistors are put at the end of the line. This is not a required standard, but ask if they can use double end of line resistors.
6. SHOP AROUND!!! SHOP AROUND!!! SHOP AROUND!!! I know it's not comfortable to let 2 or 3 guys walk around your house but you want to gauge the company and salesman against some others to get the best service/deal. Try to make the house walk through the last part of the deal so you can weed out week candidates first, which limits who you give free rein of your house to.