Canceling Fiancee's Security System
Its been a multi-year effort, but my fiancee has finally agreed to cancel her CPI security system service in her townhome. I think she held on to it an extra couple months just to iritate the heck out me ;-).
This is one of several cost-cutting efforts to reduce some of her expenses. My fiancee spends less than she earns (the most important trait to me), but since she doesn't have a large salary (she is a school teacher), she hasn't been able to comfortably save with her current spending habits.
It was a tough nut to crack, the security system made her feel very safe and it was hard to convince her that secure feeling wasn't worth the $34.95 per month she was paying for the service. Actually I never found a convincing statement (to her) to use in our discussion that the benefit was not worth the cost - how can you put a price tag on security?
However, we made some headway after several different ideas on both our parts. A big breakthrough happened when she got out of the habit of activating/deactivating the security system everytime she left or entered her house. Over time she got used to not using the security system. Later I made her an offer that if she canceled the system now that we could both contribute to a fund that could be spent on a security system service later in our lifes when we would more value the same service (ie after we started a family). Finally she came around to my side and agreed to cancel the service.
Whether or not we get a security system later in life is a different discussion in the distant future.
She called to cancel one evening and was told to call back during business hours. When she called during business hours, she was told she needs to submit a cancellation request in writing and it could take 60 days to process. I drafted up a cancellation letter this weekend.
Heres a copy of the letter we sent - pretty straighforward:
[Date]CPI Security Systems
4200 Sandy Porter Rd
Charlotte, NC 28273Dear Sir/Ma'am,
I would like to cancel my CPI Security Account. The security system is installed at [address]. Please close the account immediately. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,[Name]
[Address]
Canceling this service should save my fiancee $34.95/mo or $419.40/year; a significant amount for her if she is able to apply the difference to her savings.
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Comments (21)
$34.95 is a lot, but you're right that it's hard to put a price tag on security. Is her townhouse in a safe neighborhood? Have there been any incidents in any other homes in the area?
Posted by LAMoneyGuy | March 12, 2007 11:23 AM
You might want to try out NextAlarm , they use an IP Based system that cost around 11.95 a month. It has web monitoring so you can see whats going on in your house if you have access to the internet.
Posted by Steve | March 12, 2007 1:43 PM
My DIY security system has a one-time cost of $200. With a fake monitoring sign at the front yard, it's just as effective.
Posted by aa | March 13, 2007 8:09 AM
Have you factored in the (up to) 20% savings to her homeowners insurance? A security system typically will save you money on that. Security also detects fires, not just burglary. I'd cancel my cable before i canceled monitored fire protection...
Posted by John | March 13, 2007 9:17 AM
Being one of those females alone, a while back, I understand her hesitation. I'm going to suggest you follow LA MoneyGuy's suggestion above. And now the story as to why, yes it always comes to a story..........
After my divorce, I awoke one night to find a man in my room over top of me. He was a neighbor, who "thought I was cute" and since I was divorced "figured I was lonely". It was terrifying and I don't think he peed normally for a long time after that.
My point is - I was lucky. This guy was a nut. To top it off, he was married. I called his wife, suggesting she keep him off my property. Thankfully, they moved not long after that.
If I had to live and sleep alone again and didn't have a dog, I would pay what ever price not to have to go through that again.
**hint to men, that think a girl is cute - 1st do nothing if you are married. 2nd divorcee does not mean easy. 3rd break into the house and you are a criminal, not an admirer.
Posted by D | March 13, 2007 10:53 AM
She does not need a security system now that she has you. She can now call you when something happens
Posted by Moneymonk | March 13, 2007 1:59 PM
I have to disagree with you asking your loved one to cancel their security contract. I am all about budgeting and planning for the future. But, there are some things worth more than money...and, that is safety and piece of mind. Besides, if you are not here to enjoy the money...does not matter how much is in the banks?!
Maybe a bit fanatic?
Dave
Posted by Dave | March 13, 2007 2:32 PM
it's all about what makes you feel comfortable.
the insurance premium savings varies and doesn't cover the cost of the system and monitoring; moreover, that is what insurance is for if your house burns or is burglarized. your premium will still go up regardless of having a system. it's an added expense that isn't worth it if you have insurance.
the only reason to have it is if it makes you feel more comfortable and you can sleep better having it; however, most people who have security systems do not use it properly negating them anyways.
Posted by Tim | March 13, 2007 3:11 PM
Sorry, but if the man I was going to marry insisted I cancel my security system to save some cash, I'd think long and hard about marrying him. I so disagree with your position and your logic, but more than that, I question your priorities.
Posted by debbie | March 13, 2007 7:46 PM
Wo wo wo. Hang on -- you make it sound like I am misguided in this endeveur, but I don't think you have enough info to make this assessment. I don't think this is the case.
A home security service provides a person with a "secure feeling" for a monthly fee. Does that service actually provide you with any additional level of security? I would say no, other would argue yes, but the true is probably any benefit is not statistically significant.
These home alarms systems make people feel safe - they do little more. In fact I think the security sign is the biggest benefit/deterent.
If my fiancee truely wanted a security system to feel safe I would support it. However spending money on things is a series of tradeoffs. Since she is not saving enough for her future plans, she needs to prioritize her expenses and cut those this that are not as important to her than others (such a new car, wedding, etc).
In the end she got rid of the security service because the value it provided her was not enough compared to the value of saving that money for future expenses.
However, your right I wanted her to get rid of the system, I personally don't think it was worth the price she was paying for it.
Posted by 2 million | March 13, 2007 9:16 PM
2M has a point. Most of these systems detect break-ins and make a lot of noise whether they are being monitored or not. If I understand correctly, the *monitoring* part is what they're canceling, not the noise making, etc. 9 times out of 10, noise is more than enough (...yes, I'm ignoring the fire part, but that doesn't seem like the core issue here)
Posted by fin_indie | March 14, 2007 9:37 AM
Since I live in NYC and you live in Charlotte, NC (according to the letter you sent to the security company) I did a crime comparison of both cities. Crime rates per 100,000 inhabitants are as follows:
NYC 2917 Charlotte 7744 crime rate
NYC 7.4 Charlotte 9.9 murders
NYC 19.9 Char. 45.8 forcible rapes
NYC 321 Char. 402 robberies
NYC 349 Char. 1657 burglary
NYC 1542 Char. 3986 thefts/larceny
Hey 2 million dollar man! You sound like a real smart guy. To save a measly buck a day, you are jeopardizing the life of your girlfriend. You call that love? You are the kind of guy who would step over a dollar to pick up a penny. Your girlfriend should run for the hills. NYC is a safer city to live in than Charlotte North Carolina. And you bothered her for half a year? How many hours of your time did you waste to save $35. You're an idiot and you never, never, ever will make a net worth of two bucks let alone 2 million. A life is priceless. Insurance and security should NEVER be jeopardized. Since you screen your comments, I dare you to post this!
Idiot!
Posted by Never Again Debt | March 14, 2007 8:33 PM
Ah - read closer oh quick-to-judge one -- I live in Raleigh, NC.
Posted by 2 million | March 14, 2007 10:49 PM
Perfect! here are the stats on Raleigh, N.C. They are WORSE than Charlotte.
Murders: 14
Forcible rape: 81
Robbery: 748
Burglary: 3,327
Larceny/theft: 10,186
I wound not touch that security dial!
Posted by Never Again Debt | March 14, 2007 11:42 PM
working in the security industry, these alarm systems are worthless. Unless you live in a gated community with a dedicated monitoring service that rushes a week-long trained security guard to your door (still not guaranteed), these systems are a waste of money. You may think you feel safe, but it is a false sense of security.
instead, do the smart things on securing your home that will be more effective like solid doors with dead bolts, bars on windows on accessible floor levels, remember to lock doors, get light timers, don't tell people except trusted person that you are leaving, have mail held while you are away, don't hide the key under the mat, use your shades (you don't want people to see that you have a 50" plasma) while they are walking by, etc, etc.
have a fire plan and a burglary plan. Have your fire alarms and fire extinguishers and test them. create a safe room and stock it. don't forget to get insurance.
save your money and move to a safer neighborhood.
Posted by Tim | March 15, 2007 7:58 AM
They're not worthless. Mine has saved my house from burning down and I know of people that have had break-ins and home invations that a 2-way system has detured. I'm not so convinced a 1-way that "calls your phone" would do the same thing.
I agree with Tim that those things are important to do AS WELL as having a system, but they can be just as worthless against someone that really wants in your house.
If you have a system, don't put your sign in the yard or stickers on your windows though, I think that attracks people because they think you have something to protect.
Posted by John | March 15, 2007 12:06 PM
You seem like a very controlling guy. A huge red flag. There is no way that I would marry you.
Posted by Kate | March 25, 2007 2:44 PM
Ha -- I wish I had some control. My fiancee is having her way when it comes to the important stuff like our wedding! Pinching pennies here, but spending major dollars elsewhere -- its all about priorities.
Posted by 2 million | March 25, 2007 4:00 PM
2M - you are a crazy nutball. What if someone breaks into your house and steals all your piles of cash? Then where will you be? The robber will reap the benefits of the $35/month himself and do so in a quiet, serene, alarm-free environment.
Posted by mrToadLuva | March 29, 2007 5:47 PM
Did you get the service cancelled. I tried to cancel and they wanted a 2 year buy out fee.
Posted by Anonymous | April 12, 2007 2:57 AM
I agree with your priorities. Cancel the service. Keep the sign.
Posted by John Wilks | April 24, 2007 9:50 AM