Dropping Your Alarm Monitoring
Would you purchase a guard dog that doesn’t bark?
That’s a silly question, I know, but it does illustrate what a home security system is without being monitored. As an alarm dealer, I’ve noticed a growing trend of home owners opting out of this important 24/7 service. For an alarm company that’s a disturbing trend, yet it’s understandable.
Reasons to Drop Monitoring
There are valid reasons why people have discontinued their alarm monitoring service. First and foremost is the economy. Family budgets are what they are and decisions have to be made on cutting back on expenses. Alarm monitoring service is often one of the items on the chopping block.
False alarm fines are another cause, especially for those trying to get by on a tight budget. Consider what cutting $75, 125 or more out of your weekly grocery budget would do, and it easily understood why people decide to drop monitoring altogether after being assessed a fine like that.
And then there is the contract that many alarm companies trap their customers. When the warm glow of a great deal has worn off and the monthly payment grinds on, and on, and on, many are ready to jump ship when the term of the contract is up.
As an alarm dealer, I am very aware of the situation – don’t like it – but understand it. You see, monitored alarm customers are the ‘holy grail’ to an alarm company. It is the reoccurring income that keeps the company ship afloat.
Do-It-Yourself
With that in mind, it might surprise you when I say, “There is a way, for you to monitor your existing home security system yourself and give your guard dog back its bark.” To learn more, go to: www.diy-monitoring.com.
Geoff Hoffman
5:34 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
Tricky little sales pitch Mr. Kimball. Kudos! Make it sound like you're giving secrets to "do it yourself" but you're just trying to sell a circuit board the customer would install then they'd pay you a monthly service fee.
Scott Kimball
2:40 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012
Geoff you have me wondering about you. Every post I make about DIY Monitoring, you leave your "Tricky sales pitch" comment. Why would someone take the time to go through every Patch website everyday to place a comment in hopes of deterring people from visiting my web site?
Have you been effective in your crusade? It's hard to say. Yesterday I had 143 visitors to my web site. Most were Patch readers, but not all. You see, I have also received visitors from Canada, England, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands, Japan, Italy, Germany, China, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Trinidad during this month of September.
There's a good bit of interest in what I'm offering - not only here, but else where. Yet, with your comment, there's an insinuation that I'm doing something wrong. If so, what is it? Offering a product that people are interested in?; or offering a service that costs a whopping $6.95?
There's two more question I have for you, Geoff. Who are you and what are you all about? If you click on my name you will see that I am really Scott Kimball, the photo is mine, etc. However, your profile shows nothing.
Geoff Hoffman
1:31 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Does it bother you that I can use the same methods as you to "inform" the public? What would you call it besides a "Tricky sales pitch" when someone posts an article touting a DIY project and then when you visit their website you see that they are trying to sell you a [monitoring] service?
I'm not trying to stop anyone from buying what you're selling. I just want them to be aware that when they visit your website you are trying to sell them a monthly monitoring service.
Maybe if your last statement read: “There is a way, for you to monitor your existing home security system yourself for a lower monthly fee than what you're probably paying now and give your guard dog back its bark.” then this wouldn't be an issue for me or you. Currently most people would think you're offering tips on how to set up and monitor their alarm system for free (which is why, in my opinion, it's a "Tricky sales pitch").
Scott Kimball
4:19 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Good point, Geoff. I accept what you're saying and the your suggestion.
Thanks you,
Scott