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Get the price you want

"Wait and compare all of the competitors, then tell the supplier you want to do business with that you will only purchase from them, if they do a price match."

- KD, Education, Saint Louis, MO

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Home security in action

"We live in a nice neighborhood but we found we had a Peeping Tom. I put up a passive infrared motion sensor on the back of our deck facing the stairs but instead of it turning on flood lights, it turned on a little nightlight under the TV. The Peeper didn't know we knew he was coming the next time. I put up a very sensitive weatherproof video camera where the rain wouldn't bother it and a tiny monitor on top of the TV. PIR motion sensors are not foolproof but they do work most of the time (they look for a change in temperature in the image). One night the nightlight came on as we watched TV, we looked up at the monitor, he was back! Unfortunatly I handled it all wrong. Didn't hit record on the VCR, didn't sit quiet and call 911. With a video tape he'd be locked up, he had been picked up twice before."

- Eberson, Other Services, Gaithersburg, MD

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Internet connection can replace a landline

"Make sure you have a router to connect your alarm through your internet provider if you do not have a land line."

- Jamie, Other Services, Sheffield, AL

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Don't take chances with verbal promises

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"Always get EVERYTHING in writting and fully understand it BEFORE closing the deal."

- George Travers, Non-profit, Shrewsbury, MA

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Know the setup fees and monthly fees

"When considering a home security system be very aware of any additional charges at startup and recurring monthly fees. Do comparison shopping on internet to contrast initial setup fees."

- George Travers, Non-profit, Shrewsbury, MA

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Ensure backup coverage

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"Install enough motion sensors to cover all entry points in case a door or window is breached and deactivated. E.g., motion sensors to cover basement, stairs and hallways."

- Atul, Health Care, Marlboro, NJ

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Who's getting badmouthed?

"When dealers keep putting down a certain company, call the company they are putting down. The awards they probably have for good customer service could be why others speak badly about them. Don't go solely on price, go with customer service. If three years later you have a nightmare on your hands, it will not be worth it. Customer service should be your number one concern."

- Ben Carter, Other Services, Geneva, IL

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Avoid being wowed

"Don't always be sold by the "hype", do your research and settle on what will work best for you."

- Andrew Austin, Health Care, Carson City, MI

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Don't settle for the first good deal

"Shop around and do not feel pressured to jump at the first offer that looks good. Each company will try to outdo one another so get what you want."

- Kim Green, Health Care, Baltimore, MD

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Watch out for manipulative sales tactics

"Don't buy a security system until you do your homework. Most companies are not comparing apples to apples -- instead they try to bait you into a purchase by asking "Isn't your family worth it?""

- Rob, Construction/General Contracting, Mohnton, PA

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Make vendors compete for your business

"I have not often compared prices, but in this case it really paid off. The last company not only offered the best price, but the best service (direct monitoring)."

- Carol R Ducak, Other Services, Kansas City, MO

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Find all the costs – and the discounts

"When buying home alarm systems, look for hidden costs like monthly warranty fee and multi-year agreements. Be sure to check for discounts for AARP and AAA members."

- Joe Robinson, Computers- Software, Philadelphia, PA

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How to buy just about anything

"Comparison shop before you buy, don't always impulse buy. You'll regret it later when you find out your friend bought the same item for much less than you somewhere else.

Try gather as much information about the product as possible. The manufacturers web site is a good place for this. Read various reviews from actual customers through multiple websites to help avoid biased reviews. This helps to discover the products pros & cons. If buying online make sure the company/seller has a good track record.

Plus, always try to look to your family & friends who have had a prior experience with that product or company. When deciding between products don't always go for the cheapest product. Just because you save some extra money doesn't mean that it is a better value. I have found that old saying to be very true, ""You get what you pay for."" Compare the features & benefits between companies/products. Lastly, look more for products that have guarantees and/or warranties."

- Joseph Vymetal, Telecom/Utilities, Des Moines, IA

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