October 20, 2014
7 comments
Don’t Settle for Second-Rate Service from Your Alarm Company
When you make the commitment to protect your home and family with a monitored home security system, there are plenty of points to weigh in the decision. Some of those factors include the following:
- How is the system monitored? The best alarm companies only offer cellular monitoring, as it’s the most robust, most reliable, and safest method to communicate your alarm activation signals to the monitoring center – when it matters most. Plus, there’s no phone line or Internet connection needed – and no phone line or Internet connection for an intruder to cut.
- Price of the equipment. Even though most alarm companies discount a very basic system, that limited equipment list is usually just a teaser and is probably not sufficient to provide adequate protection for the average home. Make sure you compare equipment prices based on your actual needs! A reputable alarm company will provide a written estimate, and work with you to determine your options.
- Price of the Monthly Service. Here you need to make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Only cellular monitoring is truly reliable, and you probably want interactive services, as well. Remote connectivity and control are quickly becoming a standard offering, including home automation functions (such as lights, locks, thermostats).
But There’s One More…
Careful consideration of the issues listed above will definitely add to your peace of mind. And after all, that’s what this is all about: the ability to feel protected and connected even when you’re not home.
But there’s one more important point to consider, and this has proven to be one of the most significant differentiators between companies in the entire alarm industry.
World-class service that you deserve.
As more and more alarm companies move in the direction of 100% cellular monitoring and interactive services, it’s increasingly critical that you make sure you are dealing with a company you can trust – and that has your back. In a perfect world, you’ll get service that really stacks up – service like it used to be, when companies really cared. And that level of customer satisfaction can be hard to find.
Just Numbers
To many of the nationwide alarm providers, you are just a number – and you’ll usually know when that’s the case. Here are some telltale signs:
- Frustrating auto-attendant phone systems. How many buttons do you have to push before you can get to a human, especially one who can successfully resolve your issues?
- Your time is not valued. That could mean your time on the phone, with annoyingly long hold times, or being transferred around to find the right person. Or, it could mean that you have to wait for an installation or field service visit to fix a problem. They’ll take care of you when it suits their needs, not yours– even though we’re talking about potential life safety issues!
- Not earning your business. Too many alarm companies don’t realize that they need to earn your business – and keep on earning it. That means timely, informed, and courteous interactions with positive results.
Things Are Upside Down
In reality, you should expect moreof your home security provider, but somehow the equation got turned upside down and too many homeowners have been taught the hard way to accept less. And sadly, that has happened in part because some of the largest companies just don’t do a very good job. Check customer reviews on the BBB (Better Business Bureau) web site - what you find may not be pretty, but the information is valuable to you, the consumer.
More Review Sites to Check
You can also check Yelp, Angie’s List, or any of the many review sites that exist for just this reason. And while you’re at it, you can look at user forums for some of the new entrants (cable and telephone providers) who have added home security to a “bundled” service offering. There are some real eye-openers to be found there, and you’ll quickly learn why these huge companies are having a tough time making inroads into this industry.
Good Service Means Peace of Mind
The good news is that there is good service to be found. After all, the 13,000 alarm companies in the US can’t all be bad! The fact is, there are some companies that offer a true world-class experience to their subscribers – you just need to make sure you chose one them as your alarm company. And online reviews are a great place to start your search.
We like to think that Frontpoint is one of those companies providing excellent service, and our reviews and reputation certainly seem to support that opinion. We invite you to look at Frontpoint as one of your options when the time comes – and put us to the test.
Comments
April 12, 2015 at 2:50 PM
I.m feeling a little ripped off right now. I read all of the reviews on Angies list and decided to call and order an allarm system. I spoke to Asziah Shanklin on the phone and she sold me a system for $101 that included the keypad unit, 3 door/window sensors and 1 motion sensor. I got everything ifrom FedEx yesterday and decided to look at the Frontpoint website to look for info about setting up my system. On the bebsite I see a system for $99 that includes much more equipment than what I got for $101. This has me extremely agrivated If I hadnt spent the time to set everything up already I would have sent the box back and probably would have gone with another allarm company because of this which I still may do before the 30 day trial ends unless Frontpoint does something to make this right. I dont need everything in the $99 package but the sales lady should have offeed to swap out equipment I dont need for equpment that I would have liked to get Like instead of the 4th door/window sensor and the Smoke sensor and keychain remote I would have liked to get 2 glass break sensors and the garage door sensor but instead I got what I feel is ripped off.
April 13, 2015 at 1:35 PM
Corey, I'm glad to see your newest comment regarding this first comment. We try our best to give you exactly what you want and it looks like you were all taken care of as soon as you spoke to our Support Team. We apologize for any confusion over the customization of your security system there might have been. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you need anything else!
April 12, 2015 at 3:10 PM
Ok I take back my last review I called to aks a question about a motion sensor and inquired about the $99 equipment deal that I didnt get and the gentleman I spoke to offered me the equipment I was looking for at no additional cost so I am now very impressed thnaks for making my situation right I couldnt ask for anything more from a company.
October 26, 2015 at 6:34 PM
It is interesting how this article begins with the comment
"Don’t Settle for Second-Rate Service from Your Alarm Company" and then goes on to discuss how nicely they answer the phone. Does Frontpoint offer REAL service. Like the service I get from my car dealer when my car has an issue? Yes, I am put on hold when I call to make an appointment to have my car serviced, but then they make an appointment and do the job and I am not playing field service mechanic while on the phone with them. I am concerned if an issue develops with my security and I am not confident if I am the proper person to diagnose the malady, will Frontpoint send a professional trained service person or am I on my own?
There have been articles in the newspaper about cellular jammers being used to disable alarm systems. Does frontpoint have any safeguard against that?
I appreciate how Frontpoint pats themselves on the back and gives themselves warm feeling saying I do not have to endure long hold times but what about feeling warm and fuzzy about the reliability about my security?
October 26, 2015 at 9:01 PM
Jerry, you’ve asked some great questions. Frontpoint offers a DIY security system, and we do this for a couple of reasons: safety and convenience. Not everyone feels safe inviting a sales technician into their home to evaluate the type of equipment they need – many of our customers prefer to keep their security systems as private as possible – and the DIY system allows our customers the flexibility to install it when it’s most convenient, rather than during a scheduled appointment time.
It’s true that cellular systems can be defeated by a cell jammer, however the average burglary is a crime of opportunity. If your system was to be defeated by an intruder using a cell jammer, this would be a thought-out crime that was well planned and a targeted incident. There are security systems in the market that withstand any kind of intrusion techniques, however they come with a hefty pricetag.
I hope that this information helps you make your home security decision. If you have any additional questions about our system, or the benefits of our system, please let us know.
October 29, 2015 at 4:36 PM
Valerie
Thank you for your response
I guess that I an understand how some people might not want someone in their house but I can not imagine why the would be shy to have a licensed, insured and bonded professional in their home to provide them with a service the apparently feel they need. I would assume those same people do not install their own cable tv service or telephone service and they do not cut their own hair, act as their own lawyer or act as their own police officer.
I do not buy that burglary is a crime of opportunity. There ARE professional burglars just like professionals in every industry, and cell jammers are available for as little as $39. Why not try and withstand every type of intrusion technique? The extra cost is not really that hefty. It is the ineffective product that is too costly. If it does not do the job effectively in all circumstances, $1.00 is too costly.
May 9, 2016 at 3:17 AM
I am a former employee of a premier provider in the security industry and I chose Vivint because they have great reviews. The sales person was polite and didn't pressure me about anything. He took time with me and I made the process easy for him as well since I'm in the samwite industry. The company I'm/was with is pushy, desperate, rude to the customers and evasive about the warranties. I went from one department to the other and then heard nothing but customers canceling all day long. Hell, I walked off the job because I didn't believe in calling the internet inquiries phones over and over again with the intent to annoy and fill up answering machines until the customers call back demanding to be put on the DNC list. Also, their moto is "Buyers are Liars" I feel great by deciding to choose Vivint the competor!