Amazon Launches Camera Installation Service
By: Brian Rhodes, Published on May 18, 2015
Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.
Related Reports
Security Sales Course January 2020 - Last Chance
on Jan 02, 2020
Notice: This is the last chance to register for the course.
This sales course is customized for the current needs and challenges specific to...
Installation Course January 2020 - Last Chance
on Jan 16, 2020
Thursday, January 16th is your last chance to register for the Winter 2020 Video Surveillance Installation Course.
This is a unique installation...
Avigilon Launches 'Renewed Products Program'
on Mar 19, 2019
There are lots of 'pre-owned' cars but pre-owned IP cameras?
While such programs are common in other industries, in video surveillance, they are...
UK Installer CCTV Aware - Flat Pricing, No Salespeople
on Apr 10, 2019
This is a different kind of company.
They do flat pricing, they do not have any salespeople and 50% of their sales are sold and booked...
Manufacturer Favorability Guide 2019
on Jun 12, 2019
The 259 page PDF guide may be downloaded inside by all IPVM members.
It includes our manufacturer favorability rankings and individual...
Verkada Favorability Results 2019
on May 29, 2019
Verkada has taken the industry by storm with the fastest growing video surveillance sales organization ever and a half billion dollar valuation....
Dumber Techs, Bad Box Movers, Says Australian Distributor
on Jun 10, 2019
Techs today are "dumber" than they used to be, despite better education and training and that makes a typical day "frustrating" for one...
Axis Will Not Block Resellers
on Jun 10, 2019
While Axis generally has strong favorability amongst integrators, the biggest complaint is their channel model, which results in smaller integrator...
Giant Tyco Campaigns Against Startup Qumulex
on Jul 25, 2019
One is a giant conglomerate that owns the world's largest security integrator.
The other has no shipping products.
But Tyco is campaigning...
UTC Really Screwed Up The Interlogix Shut Down
on Sep 27, 2019
UTC has made many mistakes in security over the years, however, the shutting down of Interlogix is one of the biggest screwups in industry history....
Most Recent Industry Reports
"Hikvision Football Arena" Lithuania Causes Controversy
on Jan 24, 2020
Controversy has arisen in Lithuania over Hikvision becoming a soccer team's top sponsor and gaining naming rights to their arena, with one local MP...
Axis and Genetec Drop IFSEC 2020
on Jan 23, 2020
Two of the best-known video surveillance manufacturers are dropping IFSEC International 2020, joining Milestone who dropped IFSEC in 2019.
The...
Multipoint Door Lock Tutorial
on Jan 23, 2020
Despite widespread use, locked doors are notoriously weak at stopping entry, and thousands can be misspent on locks that leave doors quite...
Avigilon Shifts Cloud Strategy - Merges Blue and ACC
on Jan 23, 2020
Avigilon is shifting its cloud strategy, phasing out its Blue web-managed surveillance platform as a stand-alone brand and merging it with its ACC...
Verkada Paying $100 For Referrals Just To Demo
on Jan 22, 2020
Some companies pay for referrals when the referral becomes a customer. Verkada is taking it to the next level - paying $100 referrals fees simply...
Camera Analytics Shootout 2020 - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Uniview, Vivotek
on Jan 22, 2020
Analytics are hot again, thanks to a slew of AI-powered cameras, but whose analytics really work? And how do these new smart cameras compare to top...
Intersec 2020 Final Show Report
on Jan 21, 2020
IPVM spent all 3 days at the Intersec 2020 show interviewing various companies and finding key trends.
We cover:
Middle East Enterprise...
Vehicle & Long Range Access Reader Tutorial
on Jan 21, 2020
One of the classic challenges for access control are parking lots and garages, where the user's credential is far from the reader. With modern...
Clearview AI Alarm - NY Times Report Says "Might End Privacy"
on Jan 20, 2020
Over the weekend, the NY Times released a report titled "The Secretive Company That Might End Privacy as We Know It" about a company named...
Favorite Camera Manufacturers 2020
on Jan 20, 2020
The past 2 years of US bans and sanctions have shaken the video surveillance industry but what impact would this have on integrators' favorite...
Comments (28)
Ari Erenthal
The hardest part of any trunkslammer's job is getting work. Seems like this could really help. Even losing money on a few jobs would be worth it if you get access to lots of work. There are quite a few timesaving tricks that'll leave a customer happy and knock the time required down to less than three hours per system, allowing our trunkslammer to do two or three jobs in a single day.
Create New Topic
Patrick Heenan
Thank god I am not in the resi business! I would be concerned if I was Home Depot or Lowes where they have contractors that will work for these prices. This market is one that a legimate integrator can not provide value added services. So these guys can fight over the crums.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #1
From FRESH (one of Amazon's approved installer vendors) website- "We conduct a FREE laser particle reading, using the ParticleScan IAQ tool, which detects particles down to 0.3 microns in diameter every six seconds, for the detection of airborne particle concentrations in normal and polluted indoor environments.
We also perform accurate testing for radon, termites, mold, allergens, VOC's (volatile organic compounds), and lead as part of a complete home or commercial property inspection. Our goal is to assist our clients to lead healthier lives by helping them optimize the indoor air quality in their homes."
Not sure how that would make me trust them to install low voltage.
Create New Topic
Brian Rhodes
The profits may be thin, but it also could be a job that an installer would have had zero chance at before.
With Amazon's approach, the end user buys their own gear but is able to entertain the idea of hiring the install out at the same time. They may just go for it.
Before, they'd buy an 'Amazon deal of the day' CCTV kit on a whim, get it in, maybe plug in the DVR and a few cameras, but then lose interest and stick it in a closet to gather dust.
Matching up potential installers with 'DIY-grade' equipment purchases in an easy way may seem small, but I think consumers will take advantage of it.
Create New Topic
Keefe Lovgren
not only will many houses now have satellite wires stapled all over the exterior they will also have surveillance wires all over the place...
Create New Topic
Undisclosed #2
Is the quote based/tied to a specific all-in-one hardware purchase, e.g. the q-see 16 ch Dvr with 8 bullets and 4 domes and 12 pre-terminated 100 ft coax runs?
Look for this type of slamming to increase...
Create New Topic
Undisclosed #2
Example offer:
Typo? The way it reads configuration software is 'included with this service'.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #1
I personally believe that whoever is choosing these "installers" is clueless. Judging by who has been selected in NY and by what is adverstised as stated in previous post.
John, maybe you should extend an "trial period" invite to Amazon so that they can at least get an idea of who they should be "inviting" and adverstising.
Create New Topic
Matt Transue
Not to be a 'glass half empty' kind of guy, but I wonder if we'll have to worry about star-erosion here also. Meaning are they (the installer) offering some type of incentive to the end user for a high/5 star rating? Basically rendering the reviews less than meaningful, while looking legit on the surface.
Create New Topic
Undisclosed Integrator #3
This seems more and more common. Computer repair, business networking, basic structured cabling, and other entry level computer tasks have gone the way of services like Onforce, Work Market, etc. I see this as the commoditization of labor. To me, this seems like a dangerous path.
Create New Topic
John Honovich
I emailed one of the Amazon installers asking about what was included. Here is his response:
"Although most outdoor applications are simple and with no extra cost involved, some require more extensive work.
Create New Topic
Ari Erenthal
Our price also includes DVR setup and remote access.
To be fair, DVR setup and remote access is fairly idiot resistant. Many if not most DVRs take about 20 minutes to set up if you've done it before for that particular brand. And most Hikvision white-labels are fairly consistent, so learning a new brand usually isn't that bad.
Create New Topic
John Honovich
The read / interest level have been very high for this post.
It would seem to show concern for Amazon's move.
Create New Topic
Alan Dodds
The fact is most people on a budget are looking for the price range Amazon Services offer. When they see positive reviews, and all the "qualification" work pre-done, it's probably good enough for them. There will always be the Honda Civic and the BMW offerings. Keep in mind the service providers are "licensed, insured and bonded", so certainly not on the typical "trunkslammer" level, I'd say.
There's so much salesmanship out there that I believe many consumers distrust the added-value charges from many companies. If this is their first time buying a surveillance system, they don't really know the differences and quality ranges that are present. Sometimes as a consumer you don't know what you want until you get what you don't want.
I looked in my area and out of the 3 offerings I was familiar with one integrator. I'd day for the price, and the type of products to be installed, I'd have no problems recommending them. How can you expect a customer buying a low-end system to want to pay 2,3 or 4 times its cost for installation and set up?
Create New Topic
Ari Erenthal
Update: Amazon has $40 off services when you spend $75 or more as a Prime Day special.
Create New Topic