Security in Austin (San Antonio, Howe, Anton: sales, HOA, loan)

[PHX to Austin]

We are looking to relocate to Austin, and currently own a Home Security Alarm Company in Tempe, Az. Is there a a demand for this service, is it over saturated? Any feedback and opinions would help. Thanks

[woodinvilleguy]

We use a local company and prefer it. You'd have to counteract the same BS that you currently do with ADT and Brinks. If you watch their commercials only a national company is OK because they have satellites and NASA technology.

My local company charges $10/month yearly, so you'll need to be in a similiar price range to compete.

[shankaupas]

Almost every new home that has been built in the Austin metro in the last 10 years has come with a security system pre-wired. I did not know there were local companies that offered service until a former neighbor of mine opened his own business about 7 years ago. He must be doing really well because I see his sticker all over the place. So I'm guessing there is a good market for that type of business here.

[PHX to Austin]

Thanks for the feedback. Keep it coming.

[CAtoTX09]

I can't speak for demand but here in northside San Antonio the burglary rate is so out of control that many HOA communities are hiring off-duty police to patrol. So the need is definitely there, I just don't know how many homes come with alarm systems pre-installed.

[tongpa-nyi]

If you move to Austin any time in the near-future, post some fliers on doors in the Allandale district. We've had a very large increase in burglaries recently.

[verybadgnome]

Originally Posted by StumpFU

Here's a site that compares companies based on the cost for home security monitoring in Austin. This can give you an idea of the going rate for monitoring in Austin. It breaks down cost of new systems and the monthly monitoring cost of an existing system that has already been installed in a home.

All four of those companies only offer 3 year contracts which really puts the consumer at a disadvantage. The rep from Sloan says they go even farther than that by auto-renewing for an entire year - instead of month-to-month like cell phone companies do - if you do not give them advance notice. Add to that many of the national companies use propietary equipment which is either problematic for another company to use or just completely useless and you have to ask yourself why would you go with a nat'l chain. Note: I am not in the business so have no personal gain either way.

[hardtargetbill]

local owned companies are generally very responsive, what sloan says is correct about the auto renewal contracts . Several companies like ours have short term agreements as well as longer ones

[eileenkeeney]

When I had a house inspected (per-purchase) the inspector brought along a Broadview sales person (I found that strange). Then the document he had me sign, included a clause to let them call me. I found that strange as well, it was not a separate document, but combined in one that had stuff I needed to sign.

If something requires a contract for any more than a year, or does an auto-renew, I won't buy it.
I hate auto-renew, and I hate being locked in.

Also, I often get calls telling me I have won a contest. The prize is an alarm system. However to collect the prize, I have to sign up for service.
That is not a prize, it is a sales call. I wish I could remember what company, because I boycott companies that makes sales calls (it is hard to do if I can not remember who they are ).

Worse than a sales call, is one that claims to be something else. This contest thing it is completely bogus, or they are using one of those contests I entered many many years ago, at a mall. They even look up the new phone number. Even if that is the case, it is not a prize I won, if it requires I buy something to qualify for it.
Many contests are simply a form to give them permission to make sales calls to you for the REST OF YOUR LIFE even as your phone number changes.

If there were an alternative company, one that does not do sales phone calls, that does not lock me in to a long contract, and does not charge me for false alarms that are not my fault, I would prefer that over any of the main national security companies.

[oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots]

Originally Posted by eileenkeeney

I have to sign up for service.That is not a prize, it is a sales call. I wish I could remember what company, because I boycott companies that makes sales calls (it is hard to do if I can not remember who they are ).

http://www.texasnocall.com/