You Get What You Pay For—Especially in IT
We all know the saying: You get what you pay for. That’s why dollar-store parachutes are a hard no—and why “budget” IT support is a gamble you don’t want to roll the dice on.
At first glance, a low-cost managed IT plan looks like a sweet deal. Lower monthly price? Check. Basic support? Sure. Maybe even a side of cybersecurity? Don’t count on it. Peek under the hood, and you’ll find hidden fees, sketchy exclusions, and tech “support” that’s more duct tape than defense.
After years of reading small business IT contracts like bedtime horror stories, we’ve seen the same five red flags waving in the budget breeze. Here’s what to watch out for before a discount deal turns into a disaster movie.
1. Cybersecurity That’s All Hat, No Cattle
Basic antivirus is not cybersecurity. That’s like saying a squirt gun is home defense.
Cheap MSPs (managed service providers) slap on a free antivirus tool and call it a day. No two-factor authentication. No smart threat detection. No training for your team. No real backup when stuff hits the fan.
Meanwhile, cyber insurance companies are getting picky. They want to see real protection before they hand out coverage. Skip those requirements, and after an attack, they might hit you with a polite but painful, “Claim denied.”
We’ve seen companies bleed tens of thousands because their IT “expert” forgot to check the fine print. Spoiler: insurance doesn’t cover negligence.
2. Backups That “Kinda” Work
Quick quiz: Is Microsoft 365 backing up all your stuff? Answer: Not really.
Those platforms save some data, but they’re not designed for full-on disaster recovery. Budget IT providers often skip backing up cloud apps, CRMs, and anything they consider “extra.” Translation: the stuff you actually care about. Even worse, they don’t use immutable backups—the kind hackers can’t mess with. And guess what? Many insurance policies require them now.
Think your data is safe? Ask your provider to show you what they’re backing up. If they break into a cold sweat, we’ve got problems.
3. Surprise! It’s Fee O’Clock!
This trick never gets old: offer a low monthly rate, then start tacking on charges for after-hours help, on-site visits, or just looking at your network sideways.
That’s like buying a concert ticket and being told seats are extra.
We’re fans of flat-rate pricing—what you see is what you pay. But many budget MSPs nickel-and-dime you into hesitation. The result? You’re scared to call support, downtime stretches on, and your team starts Googling answers (which never ends well).
4. “Not Our Problem” Syndrome
Your internet’s down. Your phones are acting haunted. Your printer’s spitting out blank pages with judgmental noises.
You call your IT provider and hear: “That’s not our responsibility.” Or worse—they’ll charge you by the hour just to call your other vendors.
We don’t play that game. If it plugs into your business and misbehaves, we’ll help wrangle it. Yes, even that ancient fax machine you swear you don’t use (but secretly do).
5. Rookie Techs. No Strategy. Nada.
Some budget IT shops are one-person shows. Others are staffed with folks who still need Google Maps to find “Control Panel.” No dedicated account manager. No proactive support. No game plan.
They’ll fix your broken stuff, sure. But planning? Security reviews? Budget forecasting? That’s not in the bargain bin.
You deserve more than a help desk lottery. You need:
Bottom Line: Cheap Now, Pricey Later
Most businesses don’t know they’re underprotected—until disaster strikes. A ransomware attack. A data loss. A compliance fine with more zeros than sense.
By then, it’s too late.
So before you sign a contract because it “looks good,” dig deeper. Ask real questions. Demand real answers. And if the support sounds like it was scribbled on a napkin—run.
Need a second opinion? We’ll review your current IT setup for free. No geek-speak. No hard sell. Just a clear picture of what’s working, what’s missing, and how to fix it without blowing your budget.
Click here to book your FREE IT Risk Assessment.