Top Five Security System Complaints

Just like with every product, there are common pitfalls to home security systems. Either through poor choices by consumers or poor sales and service from security system companies, people become quickly disenchanted with their home security systems. In order to make a better selection, it helps to understand what doesn’t work for many people.

1. A false alarm without a security system company follow-up call. It’s not uncommon for  a resident to accidentally trigger an alarm and then immediately deactivate it. However, a good home security system provider should call immediately and ask for a personal identification code to ensure it’s really the resident who turned off the alarm.

2. The police took more than an hour to show up. Some security system owners have gotten calls at work from the alarm company and rushed home, only to discover that the police had not showed up yet. Then they wonder about the value of their home security system when the police do not bother to show up when needed.

3. Proprietary security systems. In most cases, homeowners buy their security systems outright. When down the road they want to switch their monitoring service, they find their alarm equipment is “proprietary” and is “locked out.” In such a case, switching the alarm company means having to install a brand new system, or the payment of a service fee to get the system “unlocked.”

4. The not-so-free security system. Customers complain that advertisements say an security system is free, yet, when they contact the company and get a quote – they find that the system costs hundreds of dollars.

5. Automatically renewing security system contracts. Most security system companies have an automatic renewal clause in their service and monitoring contract.  This means that depending on the company and your deal, your contract will be renewed for twelve months to three years unless you request a cancellation.  Most of the nationwide security system companies use this system and canceling usually involves a penalty clause.

To avoid such problems, check with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and your state department of consumer affairs for any complaints about a prospective provider.