What you get for their cheap monitoring costs
With lots of monitoring companies in the alarm security industry, you may wonder what makes The Monitoring Center different from the others. Founded in 1998, The Monitoring Center has been providing customers across Ontario, California, British Columbia and Florida monitoring services for their Alarm systems.
Priding itself as the first security company to separate alarm monitoring cost from alarm system cost, The Monitoring Center starts off its monitoring service at $9.99.
Let’s compare the good and bad of the company.
Pros
- 6 months free monitoring service for new customers
- Cheap monitoring cost @ $9.99
- No long term contract
- A+ BBB rating
- ULC accredited
Cons
- Monitoring service not available nationwide
- $9.99 charge is only for landline monitoring, charges increase for Wi-Fi and cellular backup monitoring options
- Cellular monitoring not available on the go.
- Lots of Additional charges
Quick Facts
| Founded: | 1998 |
| Headquarters: | Oakville, Ontario |
| Standard Sensors: | Yes |
| Touchscreen Panel : | Yes |
| Key Remote (On/Off) Fob: | No |
| C02, Fire and Flood Sensors: | Yes |
| Mobile & Tablet Control: | Yes |
| Cameras: | No |
| Z-Wave: | Yes |
| Advanced Features: | No |
| Monthly: | Starting from $9.99 |
| Equipment: | Basic |
| 24/7 Monitoring | Yes |
| Smoke, C02 & Flood: | Yes |
| Customer Rating: | 3 of 5 |
| Support Rating: | 3 of 5 |
| Equipment Rating: | 3 of 5 |
| BBB: | A+ |
How much they are going to cost
The Monitoring Center offers mainly monitoring services via a phone line to the majority of its consumers who already own their own alarm systems. They can easily connect most universal alarm systems to work with their monitoring service.
Installation Fee: For users that already have their alarm systems, they are not required to pay any installation fee different from the activation fee of $99. Users who would opt to own their own alarm systems can either purchase and have it installed on their own or simply contact the monitoring center for their alarm system package manufactured by DSC and Honeywell
Activation fee: The Monitoring Center charges a one-time setup fee of $99 for installation as well as other charges.
Packages: the basic monitoring package of The Monitoring Center cost $9.99 monthly at a contract length of 12 months using a phone line. Added charges applies for Wi-Fi and cellular backup monitoring.
No products found.
A look into their security system:
As part of its services to customers. The monitoring company offers users who do not already have their own alarm systems, universal alarm systems made by Honeywell and DSC presented in four packages to suit different needs.
- The “Lynx Touch” Basic Alarm Package (Equipment cost $399/monitoring cost $17.9) Includes:
- 1 Lynx Touch Control Center with built in siren
- 1 “WiFi” Alarm Communicator
- 2 Wireless Door/Window Contacts
- 1 Wireless Motion Detector
- 1 Backup Battery
- 1 Power Transformer
- All cabling and installation
- A 2 years Parts Warranty
- Honeywell VISTA15P Basic Alarm Package (Equipment cost $299) Includes:
- Main control panel
- 2 wireless Door or window contacts
- 1 LCD keypad
- 1 Wireless Motion Detector
- 1 Siren – 15 Watt – 95 DB
- 1 Back up battery
- 1 Power transformer
- 1 Phone jack interface
- All cabling and installation
- 2 years Parts Warranty
- Hardwired Security System (equipment cost $499) includes:
- 1 Main control panel
- 3 Hard-Wired Door or window contacts
- LCD keypad
- 2 Hard Wired Motion detectors
- 1 Siren – 15 Watt – 95 DB.
- 1 Backup battery
- 1 Power transformer
- 1 Phone jack interface
- All cabling and installation
- On-site Parts and Labor Warranty
Do they really take care of their customers?
Available customer support by The Monitoring Center includes:
Phone: 866-247-4999
Website: Click here
A look into the time capsule..
The Monitoring Center was founded as an alarm company in 1998, closing up on 2 decades of existence, its headquarter is in Ontario.
Number of monitoring station: One central monitoring station.
Conclusion
At $9.99 monthly with 12 months contract and a free 6 months contract free period when you sign up as a new subscriber. The Monitoring Center makes a good choice for monitoring company if you live in the serviced areas. But it’s worth mentioning that landline monitoring is outdated and can easily be disconnected by just a wire cut by a burglar.
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T Springer says
We were also hit with hidden fees that TMC does not disclose on their website. $9.99 per month is only for landline, but they do not honor this price for VOIP, which many customers have. Instead they tried to upcharge to $14.99 or more. Also, TMC has earlier renewed our contract on an annual basis, with periodic unauthorized price increases. This despite the fact that the equipment they provide is light years behind what you could get on Amazon for half the price. When we had an issue with TMC billing we got the runaround. They told us they needed to talk to a manager, then disconnected the phone without getting back to us. After we cancelled, they finally called and told us they would not refund the balance on the unauthorized contract renewal. Pretty shoddy service all the way around.
John L. says
I switched to TMC from another company. The monitoring cost difference was the first biggest influence. I had the equipment and it was compatible to switch over. As for the monitoring, I are very impressed and pleased with the service (better than the bigger company); they call immediately when the alarm is set off (accidentally), whereas we had 3 alarm incidents with the other company with no call back… I wasn’t impressed.
I will stay with TMC as long as things don’t change and even tell my friends of them.
Bernardo says
We purchased a home with and existing alarm system, we wanted security. Looking around all other guys charged 35+/ mo. I found the monitoring center and was able to reuse the whole system (saving new system fee) and only pay 20/mo. With cell back up. The local alarm guy came to the house to sale his product and was bashing my ” other guys systems” saying they don’t call in an emergency …blah ..blah. blah..I close my door set my alarm. Triggered a alarm and in 5 sec, who is calling my Monitoring center… Local alarm company has not bee. To my house after that. He was trying to charge 50/mo. For the same thing… monitoring center has no hidden fees. # 2+ year customer..
Mirella H says
Thank you Bernardo … we appreciate your positive feedback and hope to continue to service your alarm needs
Chelsea B. says
Thank you for this review. I was debating on a few places here for security and protection and The Monitoring Center sounded like my best option. I gave them a call last week and they will be coming here tomorrow to set me up. They were very nice and kind. I feel like I mad the right choice and it was thanks to your helpful review.
Mirella says
Welcome on Board Chelsea!!! We are happy to service your security needs :).
Becky Anderson says
Wow I had no idea what I was in for with the Monitoring Center. Hidden fees and “other” fees are heavier than flies on horse poo with this company! It is a shame because I did like a few of the things they offered but after dealing with hidden fees with a cellphone carrier for 5 years and a cable company for 7, I am good on that! I will look elsewhere.
Melvin Baker says
Are you sure it was not explained at all? The hidden fees have to do with the communications and software updates. I was told some months it can be as much as $30 over what I will be stated to pay. I don’t know, maybe some of the reps are dishonest?
Mirella says
Hi Melvin. Perhaps there was a misscommication as TMC’s pricing for monitoring is very straight forward. $9.99/month for land line monitoirng…$5.00 additional for internet monitoring or $8.00 additional for GSM monitoring. Please do contact me directly to review this pricing, Mirella, TMC Sales Manager 1-866-247-4999 X 2235 or email me at mirella@ themonitoringcenter com
Mirella says
Hi Becky, There are no hidden fees…we discuss all fees, perhaps there was a miscommunication. Please contact me directly, Mirella, TMC Sales Manager 1-866-247-4999 X2235 or email mirella@themonitoringcenter.com. I will be happy to assist you.
Adam Vines says
I wanted to like The Monitoring Center but my budget is just too tight to work around hidden fees. I feel like the hidden charges need to be made more clear. Luckily I was able to back out at the last minute. Very nice people and good customer care but the hidden charges are not worth it.
Mirella says
Hi Adam…I’m sorry we were unable to gain your business. There are no hidden charges as we do discuss all with you prior to installation. There are also interest free payback options which make the up-front costs more palatable for you. Should you reconsider please contact me directly. Mirella, TMC Sales Manager 1-866-247-4999 or email me at mirella@themonitoringcenter.com. Thank you for your consideration.
Carol Keesh says
Saying there is a lot of additional fees is an understatement! I got a quote from them and I kept asking “So this is the final price then” and they kept adding more. The security is great but for a single parent on a budget it is just not doable. Thanks for this honest review. I feel I made the best decision. I will check out other reviews on your site and find one that is more affordable.
Mirella says
We have options to split your payments with no interest in order to assist you Carol. You have full ownership of your equipment and the equipment is not proprietary so there are many advantages not covered in this review post.
Mirella says
Hi Carol…there are no hidden charges and not like our competitors you have full ownership of your equipment and the system is not proprietary which means with the system we install you can be monitored by any other provider. We are more than happy to work with you to spread out the payments of the up-front costs. Please do contact me directly, Mirella, TMC Sales Manager 1-866-247-4999 X2235 or email mirella@themonitoringcenter com. Thank you.