| Three years ago, my neighbor Roger had a home security system installed in his home. He subscribed to a monitoring service that came free for the first year and renewed immediately with a two-year contract. He loved his home security system and was always eager to talk about it every chance he got, whether or not we wanted to hear about it. Roger's company decided to relocate him to another state and he had to sell his house and buy a new one. Though excited about the house hunting expedition he was to embark upon, he was even more excited to have his home security system transferred to his new house. After all, he had spent a lot of money purchasing the home security system and having it installed...or so he thought.
When Roger contacted his home security system company to discuss moving his home security system to his new home and to make sure they covered his new area, he was shocked to find out he did not actually own his system. What he had not realized, was that his contract was for leasing his equipment, not buying it. Therefore, when he moves, they come in and take back the equipment. What he had not realized was that his monthly home security system monitoring fee included his system rental. He was really upset. He loved his system and really wanted to take it with him.
Home security system companies
Thankfully, he is moving to a larger community with multiple home security system companies. This time he did his research comparing their packages. One, like his current company, leases the equipment with free installation and a monthly monitoring fee. Others charge for the home security system and it's yours. Ironically, he decided to go with another leasing option. His new contract allows for free upgrades every two years so his equipment will always be the top of the line, rather than paying hundreds every year or two to upgrade his home security system. The new company will install his whole system before he moves into the house to minimize the intrusion and make moving in easier and he will start off being protected. The new owners of his house are sad because they liked the idea of having a security system, so they are in negotiations with the home security system company to keep it and take over his contract. Of course, codes and authorizations will need to be changed, but then they, too will be safe and happy. The moral of this story? Read the fine print in your contract.
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