đź“°Cost & ROI

    What Are the Hidden Costs of "Cheap" Security Systems That BC Businesses Should Know About?

    BC businesses should know that "cheap" security systems often carry significant hidden costs. These include escalating municipal fines for false alarms, expensive service call fees for unreliable equipment, and the ultimate cost of failed deterrence: the actual theft, damage, and downtime the system was supposed to prevent.

    July 14, 2025
    hidden security costscheap security systemsfalse alarm fines BCtotal cost of ownershipbusiness security valuereliable security

    The True Price of 'Cheap' Security: Uncovering the Hidden Costs

    In business, the old adage "you get what you pay for" is almost always true, especially in the security industry. A low upfront price or a tempting monthly fee for a security system often acts as a smokescreen, hiding a much higher total cost of ownership down the road. For a BC business owner, choosing a security system based on price alone can be a costly mistake. It's crucial to understand the hidden costs—from municipal fines to the ultimate price of system failure—to make an informed investment in your company's protection. Our live video monitoring and false alert filtering eliminate these hidden costs.

    Beyond the Price Tag: Where the Real Costs Hide

    "Cheap" security systems cut corners on technology, reliability, and intelligence. Those initial savings are quickly erased by recurring and often unexpected expenses.

    1. Endless False Alarm Fines

    Basic motion sensors can't distinguish between a burglar and a stray cat or blowing debris. As a result, they generate constant false alarms. Municipalities across BC, including Surrey, Burnaby, and Vancouver, have steep, escalating fines for these calls to conserve police resources. A faulty system can easily cost you thousands per year in fines alone.

    2. Unreliable Hardware & Service Fees

    Low-cost systems use consumer-grade hardware that isn't built for the rigors of a commercial environment. When a camera fails or a sensor goes offline, you're hit with an expensive "truck roll" or service call fee that wasn't in the original quote. These surprise bills add up quickly.

    3. Useless, Grainy Evidence

    When a break-in does happen, the low-resolution cameras common in cheap packages often provide blurry, unusable footage. This gives police nothing to work with and can make your insurance claim more difficult, leaving you with no recourse.

    4. The Ultimate Cost: Failed Deterrence

    The biggest hidden cost is that the system simply doesn't work. A basic siren is ignored by today's criminals. So, while you pay a monthly fee, you're still suffering the full cost of theft, vandalism, and operational downtime. The system becomes a recurring expense that offers no real protection.

    The Value of an All-Inclusive, Reliable System

    A professional, proactive system is designed to eliminate these hidden costs, delivering a lower total cost of ownership and a much higher return on your investment.

    • Zero False Alarm Fines. Our Human+AI verification process means we never dispatch police unless it's a real, visually confirmed threat. This saves you from any and all municipal false alarm fees, guaranteed.

    • Active Crime Prevention. Our system is built to deter criminals with live voice-downs. By preventing the incident, we save you from the costs of theft, repairs, and business interruption, which is the entire point of having security.

    Look at the Total Cost, Not Just the Price Tag

    Before choosing a security system for your BC business, ask about the true cost of ownership. Our all-inclusive, proactive service is designed to be the most cost-effective solution in the long run by preventing the very problems that make cheap systems so expensive.

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    No False Alarm Fines • No Surprise Fees • Real Prevention