The TRUTH about Security Companies

The truth is that any security company that has been around for any significant length of time (2+ years) is going to have a healthy number of complaints. This can be for a near infinite amount of reasons, from poor customer service to poor installation or servicing. But to be fair, since many alarm and security companies are oftentimes conglomerates of independently operating contractors, one bad experience that someone has doesn’t necessarily mean that the company is bad. Companies also pay other online “review sites” to rate them higher than their competitors, where usually the highest bidders rank higher despite what type of service they’d provide.

Generally I’ve found that actual valuable information about security information online tends to be hidden behind weeds of misinformation and misdirection. Most sites try to say everything and nothing simultaneously.

Top 3 things to consider when it comes to security systems.

Here I’ll lay out what I feel the 3 best things to consider are when considering going with any security company. 

Service Quality: Understanding what the security company offers, the quality of their service, and how they respond to customer service calls is paramount. This includes monitoring, installation, and overall reliability in addressing security concerns.

Locality: A local security company often ensures more immediate assistance and personalized service. Having a local agent who can easily meet or assist you in person is often advantageous.

Reviews and Reputation: Checking reviews and the company’s reputation provides insights into the experiences of other customers, helping you gauge the quality of service provided.

• In 2017, the FBI reported 1,401,840 burglaries with 57.5% of all burglaries involving forcible entry. (Criminal Justice Information Services Division)
• There are 2.5 million burglaries annually in the United States. (FBI)
• Every 15 seconds a home burglary occurs in the United States. (Crimepreventiontips.com)
• A break-in occurs every 26 seconds in the US. (FBI)
• Homes without a security system are 300% more likely to be broken into and burglarized. (Alarms.org)
• 46.9% of people don’t have a home security system installed in their home. (The Zebra)
• 83% of would-be burglars check for the presence of an alarm system before attempting a break-in. (FBI)
• 34% of burglars use the front door when breaking into a home. (Bureau of Justice)
• There are 2.5 million burglaries annually in the United States. 66% of these are home invasions. (US Department of Justice)
• Police solve only 13% of reported burglary cases. (Pew Research Center)

Cons of CCTV Camera

The underlying message is that while “top-rated” labels might not necessarily reflect the reality of a security company’s service, looking into these three factors – service, locality, and reviews – offers a more realistic understanding of what to expect.

You also rightly emphasize the importance of doing your own research, seeking information, and making an informed decision rather than relying solely on generalized ratings or promotional content. This advice could empower consumers to choose a security system tailored to their specific needs.

Finally, reaching out to industry experts, like the LASS Founder, who have in-depth knowledge and experience in the security industry, could offer valuable guidance and insights before making a decision.

This approach is wise, ensuring consumers make informed choices that align with their security needs and preferences rather than relying solely on generic ratings or promotions.

Wrapping things up.

That’s it. In terms of pure service, that’s all that really matters. Of course there’s the whole other aspect of the cost of servicing and monitoring, as well as oftentimes financing costs, up-front costs, and special promotions. But all that being the same, only these 3 things really matter. In general, It’s better to have a local company than an out-of-state one. It’s better to have a company that will answer the phone in a timely manner and respond to calls. It’s better to have a general idea of what will be provided before purchase (reviews, experience). All this in mind and it’s easy to conclude that is better to call around and get a feel for what’s what and what’s being provided, as well as having a clear idea of what you want before you pull the trigger. It’s the key reason that we exist—because we’ve already done all the work of trudging through the industry learning it inside and out. So that we can fill you in on whatever you need to know.

Feel free to reach out.

Cheers,

IBM LASS Founder