[Note: This post concerns Firstline Security, Inc., incorporated in Orem, Utah, NOT Firstline Security Systems headquartered in Anaheim, CA]
Commenter Paul, who is a first-year “Advertising Director” for Firstline Security in Washington State (Vancouver area), was recruited out of Texas A&M university and has been trying to convince me that my criticism of Firstline is unfair and unwarranted. In the process he challenged my contention that the sales pitch is deceptive because Firstline claims to provide “free” equipment in exchange for the placement of a yard sign and commitment to a 36-month monitoring contract at $45.00 per month. (Details are available on the GetFirstline website).
Firstline markets the Simon 3 wireless security system with the Alarm.com GSM security module. i was able to find the Simon 3 with the GSM module on sale at Safemart.com for $459.95. Monitoring was available through LiveWatch on a prepaid basis for $24.95/month with two free months, or $249.50 for a year. Assuming that years 2-3 do not have the 2 free month provision, that would work out to $850 for monitoring, plus $500 (with tax) for the hardware, or a total of $1,350.00.
The Firstline Security, Inc. package works out to $1620 for 36 months, including the “free hardware”, assuming a direct checking debit each month for the monitoring fee (if the credit score is high enough they will paper-bill but charge extra for that).
That’s a difference of $280.00. I am not sure that I had the exact hardware that the basic Simon 3 system Firstline sells includes, so I also went to HomeSecurityStore.com and tried to match the Firstline system exactly. I was able to configure a package with 2 keyfobs, a handheld wireless touchpad, GSM, and 2 “panic pendants” for $526.88, which when combined with the monitoring package available from LiveWatch.com, is still less than the Firstline package with the ‘free hardware’.
Paul also argued that Firstline is a company listed on the Inc 500. I was unable to find it listed, or any possible predecessors. I was able to find a 2001 listing for SafeHome Security, which has an association with Brandon Savage, a VP with Firstline through 2005 and also Sterling Barnes, President/CEO of Firstline through 2005.
It’s worth noting that the Inc 500 list is a ranking based solely upon growth. Given the aggressive sales tactics of Firstline sales reps, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them listed as a fast-growing company. Other companies listed in 2006 include social networking sites, internet startups, home mortgage companies, and medical/insurance based companies, sectors that have experienced growth both in public and privately-held arenas.
There’s a moral to this story. Firstline presents itself as a trusted company, proudly displaying badges from PBS Kids (presumably for the safety level of their website) and the Better Business Bureau. Yet, their website has no information about their corporate officers or leadership and they are training their “advertising directors” to sell an overpriced product using deceptive sales techniques. The invocation of the Inc 500 as some sort of revered benchmark, when there is no identifiable listing for Firstline through 2006 is further evidence of their deception.
Finally, I was reading through one of their contracts and happened across this provision:
“You understand and agree that in conjunction with employee training, quality control and the provision of services, we may monitor and/or electronically record video and audio related to monitored activity at your location, as well as conversations with you, emergency services providers and law enforcement personnel. Further, you understand that privacy cannot be guaranteed on telephone, cable and computer systems, and we shall not be liable to you for any claims, loss, damages or costs which may result from a lack of privacy experienced…”
The first part seems to be related to 911 emergency monitoring, which we should all know happens, particularly if you’ve heard a 911 tape played on your local news after some sort of crime. The second part, though, where I’ve bolded? Think about that in the context of the expanded FISA provisions that allow warrantless wiretaps and monitoring on electronic communication.
Install one of these babies and you might end up in an FBI file. Particularly if you’re not a big supporter of our current administration. Think it’s preposterous? Study what happened during the dark days of the McCarthy era and J Edgar Hoover’s FBI. It’s not at all unthinkable.
Technorati Tags: firstline security, simon 3, wireless monitoring, FISA, home security systems
