Would you purchase a guard dog that doesn’t bark?
That’s a silly question, I know, but it does illustrate what a home security system is without being monitored. As an alarm dealer, I’ve noticed a growing trend of home owners opting out of this important 24/7 service. For an alarm company that’s a disturbing trend, yet it’s understandable.
Reasons to Drop Monitoring
There are valid reasons why people have discontinued their alarm monitoring service. First and foremost is the economy. Family budgets are what they are and decisions have to be made on cutting back on expenses. Alarm monitoring service is often one of the items on the chopping block.
False alarm fines are another cause, especially for those trying to get by on a tight budget. Consider what cutting $75, 125 or more out of your weekly grocery budget would do, and it easily understood why people decide to drop monitoring altogether after being assessed a fine like that.
And then there is the contract that many alarm companies trap their customers. When the warm glow of a great deal has worn off and the monthly payment grinds on, and on, and on, many are ready to jump ship when the term of the contract is up.
As an alarm dealer, I am very aware of the situation – don’t like it – but understand it. You see, monitored alarm customers are the ‘holy grail’ to an alarm company. It is the reoccurring income that keeps the company ship afloat.
Do-It-Yourself
With that in mind, it might surprise you when I say, “There is a way, for you to monitor your existing home security system yourself. By adding an easy to install circuit board to your alarm panel, you will able to receive instant notification of alarm events on your cell phone and it can also communicate to a central monitoring station. There is a small service fee of $6.95 a month, but compare that to what you've been paying." To learn more, go to: www.diy-monitoring.com
