It’s no secret that everyone loves to get free stuff. Free samples at the supermarket, free trial periods, free address labels and other items are all very popular among many consumers. In actuality, many companies use the concept of a “Free” item as a very tactful marketing strategy. For example, on the website of popular retail giant Wal-Mart, you can request the “free samples of the month”, which may include everything from dog food, to face cream, to over-the-counter medication. The core idea behind their free sample program is that if you try a product, you increase your familiarity with it, and are more likely to purchase it in the future. Also, if you have a good experience with your free sample, you may go out and purchase more, once the sample runs out!
However, when it comes to “Free” home security, there is a bit of confusion. In essence, no security system is really “free”. Even if you design your own security system, you will be fronting the cost of the materials involved. This article is designed to explore the concept of “free” security, and what it means to you as a consumer.
Free System With Contract
A popular marketing tactic that some home security companies use is to give you the security system itself free-of-charge, as long as you sign a contract for a designated period of time. If you are planning to have long-term home security monitoring, this may actually be a viable opportunity for you. However, don’t just use the fact that you receive a “free system” as the deciding factor in your purchase. Check other features of the company, such as what type of monitoring they offer, how compatible the system is with other devices, and the fee you will pay if you need to get out of your contract.
Make-Your-Own Security System
As the entire population is becoming more tech-savvy, many people now see the concept of designing their own security system to be a fun challenge. You can choose how many cameras, the type of surveillance, the number of motion detectors that you use, and other features. However, this does not come without a cost. The first cost is the intial cost of the materials that you will be purchasing to design your own system. If you choose to buy your own video surveillance, a high-quality camera set can cost several hundred dollars. The second cost is the fact that you may not have 24/7 monitoring. One of the advantages of commercial home security systems is that they usually come with monitoring services, which essentially “watch” your home when you’re not around.
Alternative Home Security Measures
Some people see alternative home security measures as a type of “free” security. This many include training a guard dog, doing strategic landscaping (such as placing thorny bushes under windows) and positioning outdoor lights to cover entry points. While all of these measures can help to protect your home’s security, it’s a fact that the best protection you can get is in a monitored home security system. Alternative home security measures work best when combined with other measures that cost money, such as purchasing high-quality deadbolt locks, or investing in a security system.
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