Buyer Beware of £99* Alarm Systems

OTHERS

CIA

INITIAL COST

Just £99?

Don’t be seduced! You don’t own the equipment, you’re just renting it. If you don’t renew your contract, they can remove it and you’re left with nothing.

£499

But you’ve bought it - it’s yours for good.

MONTHLY CHARGES

£29.99 a month

At this rate, you’d pay £1,079.64 over 3 years but read the small print: they can put the price up after the first year! And does it include consumables, like batteries? Probably not.

£19.99 a month

Fixed for 3 years so you will pay just £719.64, and this includes consumables.

WARRANTY

12 month warranty?

But it’s their equipment! If something goes wrong in Years 2 or 3, why should you pay to repair their equipment?

36 month warranty

It’s your equipment! No callout, no labour charges, no equipment costs whatsoever if things go wrong.

PHONE LINE & MAINS CONNECTION

Not included

You have the hassle (and expense) of arranging the fitting of a phone connection for the control panel and a fused spur before they can install their alarm.

Included

No hassle, no waiting in, no unquantifiable extra costs...

PHONE CHARGES

Premium rate

A nice little earner! 0870 number used daily to interrogate the alarm to comply with current legislation.

Low tariff

CIA use 0845 and 0844 numbers and make nothing.

INSURANCE APPROVED

NSI NACOSS approved?

Perhaps. They may be approved installers but they may not issue a certificate because these cost money. If you don’t have a certificate, this could affect your insurance cover.

NSI NACOSS approved?

Absolutely!