Central Security Group Complaint - Central Security Group Nationwide Inc - Complaint - Home Security Monitoring

Posted by justthefaxx on 2009-10-01:

Sounds like any company that signs you into a contract. They really aren't going to make it easy for you to "escape."

Posted by MundoCani on 2009-10-01:

I agree this is a pain. Tell the new homeowners that you are removing the window signs and other equipment, unless they want to pick up the contract. Then tell them you wouldn't be caught living anywhere near that neighborhood without the security service.

If the new owners don't take it over, you'll at least have the signs for your windows for your new home. (Hopefully they don't get messed up when you remove them.) Those signs are great for deterring crime; I certainly wouldn't break in to a place that had them in the windows. (I tried to just buy the signs once, but the company wouldn't sell them to me.)

Posted by Eloise on 2009-10-01:

Why should the security company call the new homeowners? That isn't their responsibility. If you want out of the contract then you'll need to take the initative.

Posted by Jill Disappointed! on 2009-10-03:

Eloise,
If they are interested in maintaining and growing their business, which most comapnies are, then they should take the initiative. They had the opportunity to not only retain my long-term business, but also to pick up an new long-term customer with the people who purchased my home. They have blown both opportunities. Another monitoring service will secure the business of the new home owner and I will also seek another security company.

Posted by LadyScot on 2009-10-03:

Jill, you are missing the point. YOU signed the contract. They generously agreed to let you out if they can't service you or if a new owner takes over. ALL transfers of ownership of ANYTHING are done by the person in contract. DO you really think they are going to do the work for you?

You may end up with NO security since most work the same way, and some have not so generous contracts. I wouldn't shoot my foot to spite my leg.

Posted by Jill Disappointed! on 2009-10-04:

I guess we should agree to disagree. You think it's good business - I think it's bad business. (And I have worked with numerous other security companies in previous homes who don't use these tactics, so I will not have trouble finding a security company - thanks for your concern!)

Posted by DigitalCommando on 2009-10-04:

Jill, was this one of those low cost installs similar to ADT's $195 dollar system? Or did you pay full price to own the system from day one?

Posted by Ben There on 2009-10-04:

It is an interesting tactic. Instead of having a sales team that gets paid commission and salary, the old homeowner does the job of sales team and the "commission" is getting out of the contract penalty free. As a homeowner in a new area, I would be much more likely to listen to the previous homeowner's advice about which local services to pick instead of a cold call from a sales person. Its win/win for both as long as the old homeowner bothers to say "hey, I really like this security company - do you want me to transfer my service to you to save you the set up fees?"

Posted by DigitalCommando on 2009-10-04:

Good points Ben, Usually the contracts are written that you may get out of the contract if the new home/business is not within the company's service area ((( OR ))) the new homeowner takes over the contract. Sounds to me that this company replaced the word 'or' with 'and'. This makes this contract highly questionable because it gives the illusion of a way out when none may actually exist.

Posted by LadyScot on 2009-10-04:

Ben & Digital, I don't see how it is a tactic at all. The OP signed a 3 year contract. The commission has already been made. Transferring a service to another homeowner would only allow that new owner to continue the original contract. Once that contract was completed, they could RENEW under a new contract. Just like transferring a warranty etc. It doesn't start over, unless you pay for a renewal.

They stated their policy for breaking contracts. The OP signed the contract. Why complain now? Again, why should they try to sell something they have already sold?

Posted by JohnInSoCal on 2009-10-04:

I was in a similar situation when I sold my last home. It was actually a good negotiation tool. If the new owners agreed to continue the contract I put a little more money to their closing costs. I was never under the impression that the alarm company would sell the contract to the new home owner for me. It was perfectly clear when I signed the contract that it was my responsibility.