A new security system customer asked an installation technician this question. The technician shrugged his shoulders, because he had never thought about it, and said, “I guess, you don’t.”
Choosing a company to provide you with security, should not be a “click of the mouse” decision. These people will not only be securing valuables, but irreplaceable personal mementos and possibly your loved ones. Your decision should come with some background knowledge on the company. What kind of research should you do before making this choice?
1. How long has the company been in business?
The last thing you want to invest in, is a “fly-by-night” company to provide security at your home or office. Most state websites offer a business entity report. These reports can tell you whether the business is registered in the state, and for how long. Simply type in your state’s abbreviation followed by .gov in your browser bar.
When you get to your state’s website, search for business entity and then type in the company’s name. Companies who have longevity, usually have experience backed by excellent customer service and are a community landmark for a reason. The Better Business Bureau is also another good source of information to research a security provider.
2. Who do they hire?
A natural assumption would be that all security providers run a background check on their potential employees. After all, the consultants and technicians come into your home or place of business, see all your valuables and where they are located. As a customer, you must trust that the installers will “hook up” your system properly. Then there is a monitoring crew, which you will probably never meet, watching for alarms and dispatching the proper authorities. If your provider is serious about keeping you safe, they will choose to spend the extra money to find upstanding citizens to add to their team!
3. Who will help you after you sign the agreement?
Naturally, we would assume that when someone sells us a product, the company that employees them, will be responsible for helping with any after sale issues or questions. Often larger security companies use independently owned, smaller companies to push their product. These companies come and go and their mindset is to sell, sell, sell. Once the account is sold, you never hear from them again. Another company will then install and service the system. Confirm that the same company that sells the security system, will be responsible for installation, monitoring, and servicing the system. This may save you a ton of hassle if you need to speak to someone regarding “after the sale” questions or issues.
If you have questions or you would like a free assessment on a fire and security system, contact us.
