As with considering any claim - do your homework.  The claim of many vendors is "no contract" in an effort to compete against companies that have stringent, long term, complicated, confusing, unattractive, etc. agreements.  First let it be said - NEVER, NEVER, conduct business VERBALLY, without some mutually understood written agreement - bad news, bad decision, most likely unfavorable consequences.

Contracts are not bad by definition and should be written to protect both parties - defining a vendor's obligations and liability and the purchasers rights etc.  Ultimately, in the face of Gross Negligence, contracts usually fail.  If a vendor does their job according to the contract they have something to lean on - but gross negligence is the historical under riding factor that will negate any fancy legal lingo.

Contracts provide additional protection besides a term, typically, they also provide value to the vendor. Many vendors over time build up a base of clients and in time find the value of the base to be directly tied to a contract - from that perspective it is in a vendors interest to enforce a contract/term.  The market drives such issues as price and term so competition typically forces certain decisions with regard to how a contract is written.  Boring as it may seem it is important to "read" documents, whether its your mortgage or your alarm vendor's documents.  Ultimately, Value has to be a part of any equation and finding value is a product of "doing your homework."

The best Value for a buyer is balance between Price Product and Performance.  Ensure your vendor's agreement (contract/price) is viable, mutually attractive, and provides realistic solutions (products/service) that are in your mutual best interest, and a term (performance) that you can live with.

Greg Lamb

There has never been a more important time, than now, to shop your vendors - for everything.  There is a vast array of new technology, new players, new products, new services, and certainly new prices.  More important than anything, though, is that you do diligence.  Don't buy into gimmicks, don't buy into "hard to believe" don't buy into "free" but shop - there has been an influx of "new" into the security and low voltage industry - just because an entity is big, does not mean it is the best choice - just because an entity overwhelms the airwaves of advertising . . . . . doesn't mean they have the best value.  Think about the times we are in - does the politician with the most money necessarily have the best experience, the best philosophy, the best answer for you - maybe, maybe not . . . . if you are a current user of Security and Low Voltage systems, especially for a while, you are in for some surprises . . .  if you shop.  We continue to pursue providing the best Value in the industry. . . . call now and you will learn something new but find incredible value as well.

Essentially, bluntly, cellular is (1) More Secure (No Line to Cut) (2) Less Expensive - the cost of analog monitoring plus a phone line is way more than cellular.

BUT - there are many more advantages than just the major two - technology afforded with digital technology facilitates email notification via smart phones, video integration via smart phones, remote on/off via smart phones - the list is long and growing.

Historically "Ma Bell" was required to provide a dial tone to every house in America.  That requirement is falling away city by city - the larger, the more likely, sooner than later.  As the trend "away from copper" grows, more markets are seeing the expansion of cellular alarm monitoring - it only makes sense as households are using cell phones in growing numbers and the logic for keeping a "hard" copper line is diminished.

Take the next step to improved alarm monitoring technology - go wireless/cellular, today, and not only improve your communications security - but save money as well.

 

A lot of activity is transpiring with "bundling" services - just a reminder to "do your homework" and not choose a solution - simply on price.  The concept of bundling services is nothing more than a "tactic" to get in the door, and typically the price escalates after some period, usually 12 months, to a point where the whole deal is sour.  I have had personal experience with a cable company significantly jacking the prices after one year.  But more importantly, doing business with XYZ company just because they have a great price is not logical - if they just started in this industry last week - that should be a red flag.  You are going to be seeing a lot of "bundling" in the near future, so, DO YOUR HOMEWORK!  The experience and knowledge and history of a company's involvement in an industry is truly important - we are celebrating our 27th year as a security company - not a telephone or utility "jumping in" because of deregulation - this is our passion - this is our life - providing the best value in the security industry.

Total Connect "2" (TC2) has been on the street for a while now - if you are new to Total Connect we have posted a video on Youtube (Consumer Security) detailing features/functions - Essentially Total Connect provides remote access to your alarm system, remote on/off functionality, email reports of all system activity e.g., on/off/alarm/supervisory/trouble/loss of power/low battery, accessible from your smart phone or anywhere on the internet.  In addition you can integrate up to 6 Honeywell IP Cameras via their Wireless Access Point (WAP) - all you need is a receptacle in proximity to the camera location - connectivity to the WAP is wireless.  Not only can you "look in" anytime, you can set up video clips of your children coming home or on alarm activation to "verify" what is actually going on during an abnormal condition. The big improvement with TC2 is speed - access time and viewing efficiency is significantly improved over TC1.  Call today with questions on Total Connect or to set up a cost free security analysis - 770-942-3343 or email: sales@cssga.com.

  

Lots of change evolving in the Security Industry - most prominent of late are the announcements by some of the largest communications companies in America that they will be joining the fray.  What does this mean? Certainly a lot more information overload, advertising/marketing, etc; we encourage common sense and consideration for what motivates these actions - obviously money - but do you really want your phone or cable company securing your property? While "bundles" are great for sales - are they in the best interest of the Consumer?  WE CERTAINLY PROMOTE DOING BUSINESS WITH ENTITIES LIKE.............Consumer Security Services, Inc - 27 years experience, Local Service, Local Monitoring, Experts in their Field . . . . . . . . .  versus a new entry into the marketplace, looking for guinea pigs.

Published the Consumer Security Services, Inc. Facebook page last night.  Yes I am learning - in the words of Dr. Craig Aranoff, who used to be at Georgia State University but I think now resides at Kennesaw State, "Questions, Comments, Criticisms?" may be cast here and now on facebook - hopefully we will glean some activity from the special we are promoting - Cellular Monitoring - Install @ 50% off -

regularly priced at $195 - now offering a $99 install for a Total Connect Compatible Cellular Transmitter 

WHICH WORKS WITH ANYBODYS SYSTEM!!!!! - Check out the Facebook Page and LIKE!!!

We are seeing a considerable increase in request for proposals in Cellular Monitoring.  Truth is so many people are utilizing cell phones, many households are transitioning away from traditional phone (POTS) lines - Plain Old Telephone Service.

We see a savings of $20-$30 dollars a month on average which can results in less than one year payback on the GSM Cellular investment.

Call Today for the current offering(s) in Commercial and Residential Cellular Monitoring - More Secure - No Line to Cut, More Economical - Lower Monthly Expense,  More Technology options (Compatible with Total Connect Email and Video Services).

CALL TODAY AND SAVE!!

The holidays are upon us and so is the need to be resilient, ensuring your guard is always up.  Remember times are tough for many and unfortunately crime sometimes escalates during the holidays.  Always attempt to travel in pairs or groups.  Keep your security system on - home or away - always.  Keep your landscaping in control and attempt to minimize any secluded areas where someone may use space for hiding - homes and businesses.  Take care with any festivities involving candles or any fire related activities - especially with small children.  A simple fire in the fireplace will always be more safe with a metal grill  to ensure any sparks stay in the fire place and not in the room.  Outside motion detection lights are always a great add-on.
Lighting can never be overdone and it certainly affects behavior - good and bad.  You can always add X-10 products to your Honeywell Security System which can be programmed to control lights as well.  If you utilize surveillance cameras, home or business, lighting only enhances video and certainly gets the attention of any unexpected visitor on activation.  Ask about Total Connect, you can always be in touch with your security system - anywhere, anytime.  Remember, test your system regularly - we'll be here if you need anything - have a great holiday season.

October is Fire Prevention Month - Always plan on your calender to test and equally important, to Clean your smoke detectors. The are more false alarms generated from simply dirty alarm system components than from real alarms. Take the initiative to set up a regular schedule to clean all of your alarm system components - especially the life safety components. Routine testing is highly recommended as well. Establish a schedule to test your security system components and communications on a regular basis.

Call today for guidance on proper testing methods, scheduled maintenance recommendations, and manufacturers updates on security and life safety systems.