It's no secret that the crime situation in Ukraine, particularly Kyiv, has worsened significantly over the past two years. Naturally, citizens want to secure their homes and property by turning to security companies. Security companies, in turn, are interested in attracting new clients, so they develop flexible discount systems and various promotions.
But among the major security firms, Sirius stood out by offering to protect its new clients completely free of charge, subject to prepayment for services for the entire 2017 year. This would have been a truly significant savings, were it not for the serious problems the company is experiencing.
The Ukrainian Federation of Security Professionals (UFPB) accused Sirius of violating a number of laws and engaging in unfair competition. In February of this year, an extended meeting of all security services market participants was even initiated. One of the main problems Sirius poses is that the company provides security services below cost, a point repeatedly raised by market participants and even made during the meeting.
During the meeting, Sirius Director Igor Nikolenko listened to his colleagues' complaints and promised to improve. However, as reported by the UFPB, Sirius continues to engage in unfair practices, so the issues are being actively transformed from mere talk into action. It has been reported that the Federation has prepared corresponding appeals to the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine and other agencies to have the company inspected. However, the only thing currently protecting Sirius from inspections is a moratorium prohibiting audits of small and medium-sized businesses. However, the moratorium will be lifted in 2017, and then the company will face some unpleasant visits from the audit authorities.
The company's management, fully aware that it cannot withstand even one such audit, is currently trying to squeeze out every possible profit by any means necessary.
Incidentally, Sirius's finances are also in trouble. Publicly available information from the State Fiscal Service indicates that the company has outstanding tax arrears and is registered as such. The State Fiscal Service explained that, in this case, all of the company's assets could be seized as collateral, or, in other words, simply seized and sold to fulfill the obligations.
It's not entirely clear what property is being discussed, however, as Sirius owns nothing, and the authorized capital of this "leader in security services" is 1200 hryvnias. Furthermore, it's no secret that the company doesn't have a single car registered to it. All the cars used by Sirius are privately owned. Rumors of this have been circulating for a long time, but the company's director, Igor Nikolenko, himself put a final rest on the matter.
In February 2016, a Sirius-branded vehicle was involved in a serious accident, injuring other road users. The driver, who was also at fault, was not only drunk but also refused a medical examination. When law enforcement and members of the public contacted the head of the security company, Igor Nikolenko, for clarification, he shrugged and declared that the drunk driver and his vehicle had nothing to do with the company. Nikolenko claimed the SUV was simply "covered in Sirius stickers."
However, the fact that the company only hires new security guards who have their own cars is already suspicious. After all, it could turn out that these guards, with their own cars, would end up working for both Sirius and, for example, a taxi service. In such a situation, it would be appropriate to ask: who will respond to an alarm – a professional security guard or an amateur taxi driver?
At the same time, the company itself claims that its response teams “use exclusively new vehicles, primarily foreign brands,” which constitute the security firm’s “state-of-the-art material and technical base.”
Advertising, of course, drives sales, but in Sirius's case, it's not even half true. Incidentally, Sirius has never spared any expense on advertising. You can avoid paying taxes, but advertising is sacred: cold mailings, positive comments on forums and social media, videos from supposed security experts, media publications, radio broadcasts, and much more. Instead of improving the quality of its services, modernizing its equipment and equipment, or finally purchasing its own vehicles, Sirius wastes its clients' money on unfounded self-promotion, inflating its own ego and distorting perceptions of other security market participants.
This entire situation is very reminiscent of the high-profile case involving Mikhailovsky Bank, which also failed to fulfill its obligations to regulatory authorities and depositors, refused to cooperate with the National Bank, and even engaged in obsessive self-promotion.
It's noteworthy that Mikhailovsky Bank was declared problematic back in December 2015, but its bankruptcy was only declared in late May 2016. Instead of addressing the emerging problems, the bank's management began siphoning assets into individual accounts. Ultimately, the company's management fled, taking depositors' money with them. Depositors are now protesting in the government district, demanding the president address the situation. The president, of course, reassured the protesters, promising that the money would be returned, but in truth, this is highly unlikely.
It might seem like a bank has nothing to do with a security company. But this example clearly illustrates what happens when business is conducted in bad faith, and what awaits those who associate with such companies.
To be fair, it's worth noting that Sirius does indeed have fairly low prices. However, as Baron Rothschild once said, "I'm not rich enough to buy cheap things," and many agree, prioritizing quality. But how do we answer the question of why we deal with scammers and amateurs, trying to save money when it comes to what matters most—peace of mind? Remember, by giving Sirius your money upfront, you risk being left with nothing.
You can't skimp on safety, just like you can't skimp on your health. Even a neighbor with pliers can pull out a toothache for a half-liter of yours, but the consequences of such "treatment" will be dire.
Ruslan Yakushev
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