"The 8 Biggest Mistakes To Avoid When Shopping For A Home Medical Alarm System"

Confused by all the different options? Straight advice by an industry expert can save you thousands of dollars....

Medical alarms systems have been around for over two decades yet shopping for them is as complicated as ever. Most shoppers are not familiar with the various systems, features and costs until they are forced to find a system for a family member, relative or friend.

As an experienced industry professional with over 25 years of experience, I have seen folks make serious mistakes when choosing a home medical alarms system. Many have overpaid hundreds or thousands of dollars, been victims of hidden fees and charges, been forced to pay for early cancellation and have received poor quality equipment and sub-standard monitoring service.

In an effort to educate consumers, I have identified the 8 biggest mistakes to avoid when buying (or renting) a medical alarm system. Truly educated consumers make better choices and pay less than those who are uninformed. Please feel free to print & distribute this article to friends and family members who may also be involved in the decision.

Mistake #1: Shopping Only For Lowest Monthly Fee

This is the one BIGGEST mistakes most consumers make! Since many folks are not aware of the differences in available equipment and services, they simply ask about the prices and choose the least expensive.

If you were shopping for a parachute to save your life, would you select the cheapest one?

Historically, medical alarms systems were sold by unscrupulous companies for as much as $3,000! Today, do to competition and industry oversight, you should not have to pay more than $300 to purchase a quality home medical alarm system.

Industry standard monthly monitoring fees will range from $20-49 for reputable companies. Companies trying to convince you to spend more should be questioned. Companies offering monitoring fees of less than $20/month may be offering sub-standard service levels and should be avoided.

Why risk a loved-ones life and safety to save a few cents/day?

In short, there are reasons why established, reputable medical alarm providers charge what they do. They have determined the lowest price which provides an acceptable level of service and refuse to trim services required to offer lower prices.

TIP: For quality service and good equipment, we suggest you select a company that falls in the $20-$40 monthly fee range.

Mistake #2: Signing Long Term Multi-Year Contractual Agreements

Very often, consumers agree to sign-up with a medical alarm service before reading the Customer Service Agreement that is required by virtually every company.

Unfortunately, such agreements often contain very binding legal and contractual requirements with respect to the term of the agreement. The industry standard is generally a one year agreement.

Less than forthright companies have been know to hide the agreement term in the fine print and can bind you for a minimum period of two to five years! This means that no matter what happens with the medical alarm system subscriber, you (or they) may be responsible for hundreds or thousands of dollars in future fees even if the medical alarm system or service is no longer needed.

Also - an equally important - be sure to understand the renewal or termination requirements. Some agreements are written requiring the subscriber to send written notification of a cancellation within a set period prior to the end of the term. If such a notice is not sent, the agreement may automatically renew itself for a whole new period.

For example, let's say you sign a one year agreement, you may need to notify the company 30 days (1 month) prior to the anniversary date of your intent to cancel. If you do not meet this requirement, you may be contractually required to continue paying the monthly service for an additional year.

TIP: Read the entire agreement before signing-up and be careful when signing any agreement longer than one year.

Mistake #3: Accepting Early Termination Fees

Medical alarm agreements have also been known to contain clauses that, in the event you do need to terminate the agreement before the full term, you can be assessed additional early termination fees and charges.

We have seen such charges include requirements to purchase the equipment outright or penalty fee that can add hundreds of dollars on to the cost of your agreement.

TIP: Be aware of hidden early termination fees and refuse to accept any such charges.

Mistake #4: Accepting In-Home Installation Charges

Some of the older, more established medical alarms companies still require their authorized personnel come to you home to install the equipment - often for fees ranging from $100 - $500.

Such "installers" may in fact be skilled sales people who's real primary purpose is to gain access to your home and sell you additional products and service which may not be necessary. Often this visit can pressure older subscribers into spending hundreds or thousands of dollars in extra costs.

TIP: Have a family member present for any home medical alarm "installation."

Mistake #5: Receiving Low Quality Equipment

Beware of companies that advertise cheap, low cost medical alarm systems. Often these offers require long term agreements or may involve extremely poor quality equipment.

Yes, there is a significant difference in the quality of home medical alarm systems!

First, be sure any equipment you are considering is UL (United Laboratories) Listed. NEVER ACCEPT ANY MEDICAL ALARM SYSTEM EQUIPMENT THAT IS NOT UL LISTED!

Second, document the manufacturer's tested range for the system you are considering. Generally speaking, the equipment's range is a very good indicator of the transmitters & receivers quality. The industry standard varies from 100-200 feet. Top quality medical alarm systems have tested ranges in excess of 500 feet.

Mistake #6: Receiving Low Quality Monitoring Services

Just like medical alarms system equipment, the emergency monitoring service center - and the personnel - can vary significantly in quality.

We have heard nightmarish stories from folks that have experienced sub-standard monitoring services. This stories includes no two way voice communications, no free weekly tests, no emergency paramedic response, lengthy delays in responding to a alarm, etc.

First, be sure any monitoring center you are considering is UL (United Laboratories) Listed. NEVER ACCEPT ANY MEDICAL ALARM MONITORING CENTER THAT IS NOT UL LISTED!

Second, be sure to test you new home medical alarm system several times upon receipt to insure fast emergency personal response and clear two way voice communications.

TIP: Test your system on a Monday morning when call volumes can be high.

Mistake #7: Not Insisting Upon A 30 Day Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee

Reputable medical alarms companies often offer new subscriber with a 30 day money back satisfaction guarantee. This insures that if you are not completely delighted with the quality of you new equipment, you can request and receive a full refund of the purchase price of your equipment within 30 days from the date of your order.

Don't get stuck for years with a life safety system that clearly has quality issues.

TIP: Insist on a unconditional money back satisfaction guarantee in writing.

Mistake #8: Not Checking With The Better Business Bureau & Consumer Affairs

Most consumers are surprised to learn that medical alarm companies are NOT REGULATED by any federal, state or local organization!

Some companies have years of unscrupulous sales tactics, overcharging of fees, high pressure techniques, sales call harassment, etc. In fact, a few years ago, the FCC actually threatened to step in and regulate the industry if such practices were not scaled back.

Consumer Affairs receives and posts customer complaints on their web site for all leading medical alarm companies.

We suggest you request a FREE detailed medical alarm company report from the local Better Business Bureau for any/all companies you are considering. LifeGuardian is a Fully Accredited Better Business Bureau Member. You can find other medical alarm company performance information online at www.bbb.org.

TIP: Do not do business with any medical alarm company that is not a current BBB Member in good standing.

*AARP® Product Report: Linear Medical Alarm Equipment Ranked #1 -- PERS (Personal Emergency Response Systems / Medical Alarms and Medical Alert Alarm Systems) was produced by the American Association of Retired Persons as an educational service to members and other older persons. April 1992 No.1 Vol.2

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