The Who, What and How Much of Security Networks
Security Networks is a nationwide authorized dealer of Monitronics. Many home security companies start this route and many later become stable enough to provide their own monitoring and customer support. But until that point it can be a little confusing of who you report too, who monitors your home etc. Security Networks has been in business nearly 25 years with mixed reviews, primarily negative. Overall they cost more a month than our top security companies reviewed but for most it is too late by the time they have heard the sales pitch and signed up.
Here is a quick look into the good and bad of Security Networks:
Pros
- 25 years of business
- Standard 36 month agreement
- Uses Honeywell security systems along with iNet
- Affordable setup
Cons
- No BBB rating
- Marks up monitoring prices from Monitronics
- Unreliable customer service
- They sale their contract off and profit from it, you are left with a security system and not much help
Knock, Knock!
Reviews of how they grow as a company by massive door to door sales force
If you are reading this review because a Sales rep with Security Networks came to your door — you are not alone. First things first, it is not a scam. However, each door to door security sales rep differs and we cannot vouch for their honesty. We will go over the company in-depth but first here are some quick tips to dealing with sales reps.
- Read over the contract. Make sure you know whether it is a 36 or 60 month contract.
- Get the MMR in writing. MMR is Monthly Monitoring Rate (Monthly Cost). Make sure the rep writes it down in ink.
- Do not believe the Buy Now or Never deal. Alarm companies will be here tomorrow just as they were 10 years ago. Do not get sucked into the buy now or lose this deal forever pitch.
- Do your research. Congrats if you made it this far without succumbing to their sales pitch! They are a dealer for Monitronics.
If you feel skeptical about it, read other home security reviews first and perhaps go with one of them.
Security Networks Specifics:
Pricing: Expect to pay $49-89/mo. This is about $10-20 more per month on average then others. For installation you will typically pay $99-149 depending on the service you get.
Dealer program explained
Security Networks is a Monitronics Dealer. Just like ADT, this company has thousands of authorized dealers to sell their service. By getting Security Networks you are:
– Installed and initially serviced by Security Networks for up to 6 months.
– Your customer service and monitoring is through Monitronics, read their reviews here.
– By going with Security Networks instead of Monitronics directly, you get hit with an extra $4-10 monthly.
– Most likely getting a 60 month contract. The salesman gets a higher commission if he gets a 60 instead of 36 month agreement.
Customer reviews
Customers don’t have too much good to say about this company. Most complaints are that they felt ripped off, binding to an agreement they didn’t understand and when they try to cancel they are left to figure it out on their own. Because sales reps can be so deceiving or even lie to make a sale, if the customer doesn’t carefully read over the agreement they are signing they face a long 3 years to get out of the agreement.
Here is a screenshot of how one customer tells their story of working with Security Networks:
Conclusion
Security Networks overall is a high priced home security system that should be avoided. The dealer increases the companies monthly contract price to make additional money and will charge for extras like activation or other bogus fees. The dealer will typically sell off the contract within 6 months to the higher company for a multiple of 20-36x monthly contract value. At that point you are in the hands of the primary company and the initial sales person that sold you security networks is completely off the hook for anything you may have been promised.
To avoid this bad situation in general you may want to choose one of the best alarm systems for you home from a reputable brand.
If you have had any experience with Security Networks pleas leave your story below.
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William is a tech buff and former corporate security officer turned cybercrime analyst. Computers have few secrets left for him, but home security and alarm systems… Well, those have plenty of secrets for their users, which William is now uncovering and explaining. His articles on home security helped many people take the matter seriously, invest in highly performing systems, and avoid becoming victims of burglaries.
Last update on 2023-05-14 at 03:33 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Dale Jacks says
I found out the hard way just how bad their customer service is. We had an issue with power. A storm had cut the power out for 4 hours. When it came back on the alarm system did not want to work. We had no idea what to do or where to even go. We called every number we could find. Still haven’t found a solution.
Steve the Techie says
Thank you very much for such reviews on various home security companies. It will help us to decide the best company for our home and dear ones.
Ryan Pariseau says
I didn’t come to this website until after I had Security Networks installed in my home. I am very upset by the $74.99 a month I am forced to pay for the next several years and I didn’t even get home automation included with that.
Marcia Gross says
Sounds like a very bad deal Ryan. Thanks much for pointing it out. I would rather go for a more recommended home security system provider. I am considering FRontPoint, it seems a better deal.
Ryan Eagle says
I switched from ADT about 2 years ago to Security Networks because I thought I was getting a better deal. But As soon as my contract is up I am NOT renewing. This is WRONG. I do not recommend them.
Sebastien Saumier says
Whatever you do, do NOT go with this company!!
Emily Brawer says
The customer service is AWFUL. AWFUL.
Jordan Patick says
I was a customer for Security Networks for about a year at my previous house. I would never recommend this company even my worst enemy.
Alarm Reviews says
Yikes! Even to your worst enemy?! That is quite a statement. Hope you found a better company that fit your needs.
Victor Zaragoza says
This company is a scam and all they want is to take your money and provide everyone with a false sense of security. Don’t let them in your door!!!!
Laur Constantin says
This company is just collecting money from its customers, but no service. I think it’s time for this company to have to answer to someone. I have not seen one good review about this company.
William François says
I have been fighting with this company since March 2013. Security Networks is a real pain. I don’t recommend it.
Greg says
I recently have been looking into getting a security system and know nothing about them. My wife’s boss recommended them to us so I have been doing some research. Thanks for posting all this information. I am going to have my wife look it over and see what she thinks.
Alarm Reviews says
Sounds good and best of luck to you Greg. It may be hard to find them by a phone number or on Google as they are primarily a door to door dealer and can be in your city for a limited time. After they have knocked through an area they will move on to the next along with their security technicians.
Jeremy Taylor says
Security network doesn’t have Google as an option for notification in the dropdown. I’m not receiving the alerts anymore after I changed my phone and service provider very recently. I checked with Google to see what it is with the service provider but I now have put it at claims. I had downloaded the app and should receive a notification whenever somebody arms or disarms the system, but I’m not.
Kimberly Hampton says
Not a big fan of people coming to my door to try and get me to purchase a unit from them. I understand it’s their job, but I just feel like they’re pushy. I get a few salesmen at my door about home security systems and Security Networks is the main one that comes by. I usually don’t answer the door, but if I do, I just ignore them.
The funny thing is that I am looking for a home security system, I just feel that door-to-door salesmen is not the right way to find clients.
James Wright says
I am with Kim on this one. I get that these people need to make a living but if you are knocking at my door trying to force me to agree with something, I won’t be a happy man. I had one company do this to me in the past and I told him if her didn’t leave, the sprinklers were going on… Needless to say, he got soaked.
darlene unsett says
I’m a little leery of door to door alarm salesmen. My son worked for one of these companies for about a week, until he discovered how aggressive and dishonest they wanted him to be (Senior citizens look out!). I wish I could remember the exact name of the company – I won’t even try since I might get it wrong and give a black mark to the wrong people. It’s too bad that some of the bad apples give everyone a bad rap.
Thanks for sharing your sensible ideas for how to discern whether the sales people are legit or not.
Thomas says
I don’t really understand Security Networks or why someone would go with them. I know many Relators and construction contractors use them when they set new people up into a home. This is because they get a large commission ($500+) from Security Networks who pays the most. So if you move into a new house and they try to talk you into using this company just know that it’s not their favorite or best company, they just want to make an additional $500 off of you. Greed!
Dan Sanders says
Yeah, they seem to come to my house once a year with the same old pitch in mind that if I hold their sign out they will give me a free system… I did some research on them and a lot of Realtor’s and contractors team up with them when people move into a new house. That and their sales force is their main way of getting people to get their security system but they are just a dealer so you might as well go straight to the source on this one unless you want to get treated poorly and switched around.