Home security is becoming trendier today, causing some families to fold under pressure from their neighborhood associations and that insist they need these packages. In many cases, the families who are under this type of pressure often cannot afford these services. This leads to overspending, buying home security packages that are overpriced, and agreeing to contracts that must later be broken because they cannot afford the monthly fee.
Before homeowners consider shopping for any kind of home security package, they must first consider why they are buying it and what else they can do to protect their families that may be a less costly option. Not all security packages cost the same, and homeowners may find themselves in over their heads before they realize it.
Prices can be all over the place, said Robert Krughoff, president of Consumers’ Checkbook, which rates home security companies and recently published an extensive report on the topic to its members. “We see a lot of variation in price and no real relationship between quality and price,” he said. “We found some of the lower-cost places rated very high in terms of quality, and some of the high-priced places don’t rate particularly high.”
When homeowners are under pressure to buy a from a number of sources, they are much less likely to comparison shop and get the best deal. They usually contact and buy from the first company they contact and then sign the contract without considering how it will affect their monthly budget. Instead of bending to that kind of pressure, they should treat buying a home security system just as they would any other major purchase for their homes, such as a new vehicle or having carpeting installed.
Before any homeowner goes shopping for home security, they should consider what other options they have that are more cost effective and would still keep their families safe. Extra gating, locking all windows and doors when leaving the home, and even having a dummy security keypad and stickers in plain sight will reduce the chances of a home being burglarized. Some studies indicate that in most cases of home invasion and burglary, the thieves found it easy to gain entry through an unlocked door or window. Homeowners who cannot afford a can simply invest in updated locks for their entranceways instead of going into debt or possibly ruining their credit by buying a home security package that is not within their budget.
Emily Stevenson
Author – Emily is a 10 year veteran of the home security industry working in sales. She was a top sales person at leading home security companies, but has shifted her focus to working on helping consumers make the right decisions.