You get what you pay for.
That’s true everywhere — but especially in IT.
At first glance, a cheaper managed IT agreement can seem like a win: low monthly cost, basic support, maybe some “cybersecurity” buzzwords tossed in. But scratch the surface, and it falls apart fast: hidden exclusions, weak protections, and cut corners that cost you more in the long run.
We’ve reviewed a lot of MSP contracts. And the same problems keep popping up. Here are five of the worst offenders we see from bargain-bin providers — and how they come back to bite.
1. "Cybersecurity" That’s Barely More Than Antivirus
Let’s be clear: installing antivirus and calling it cybersecurity is a joke.
No Multifactor authentication. No security awareness training. No backup strategy. Just a checkbox for their contract.
The scary part? That kind of setup won’t cut it for cyber insurance anymore. If you get hit and you’re missing required protections, your claim could be denied — and we’ve seen it happen. That’s not just poor service. That’s negligence.
2. Backups That Skip the Stuff You Actually Need
A lot of businesses think Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace are backing up their data.
They’re not. At least, not the way you think.
Cheap providers often skip backups for cloud apps, and other critical platforms. And when they do offer backups, they’re rarely immutable — which is now a basic requirement for many insurers.
Ask your current provider: what’s backed up? What isn’t? If they can't answer clearly, you already have your answer. 
3. “Gotcha” Fees for On-Site or After-Hours Work
Some MSPs lowball their monthly rate, then nickel-and-dime you every time something urgent comes up. Need someone on-site? After hours? Emergency support?
Surprise! That’s extra.
We don’t play that game. You should never be second-guessing whether it’s “worth it” to call support. Because delays = downtime = money lost.
4. “Not Our Problem” Support
If your phones, internet, or cameras break, your IT provider should help. Full stop.
Too many times, we see MSPs who won’t touch anything they didn’t sell — or charge you extra just to talk to a third-party vendor.
We believe in what we call the "One Throat To Choke" principle. This means we take ownership of anything that plugs into your network. Because you like don’t care who’s responsible — you just need it to work.
5. No Strategy, No Oversight, Just Tickets
Here’s the red flag: no account manager, no strategy, just a rotating cast of junior techs handling tickets.
If your MSP isn’t talking to you about roadmaps, and risk, they’re not managing your IT — they’re babysitting it.
You should expect:
- Regular reviews of your security and backups
- Clear upgrade planning
- Someone who actually knows your business
- Strategic input — not just break/fix response
If It Looks Too Good to Be True… Well, you know the rest.
Most businesses don’t find out they’re underprotected until something breaks: ransomware, a failed restore, an audit gone sideways.
And by then, it’s too late.
If you’re even a little unsure about your current setup, let’s have a look. No pressure, no jargon — just a straight-up review of what’s working, what’s missing, and what to do next.
📍 Click here to book your free IT Risk Assessment.
We’ll show you what’s really under the hood. No fluff. No scare tactics. Just the truth.
