Re: cleaner wiring solution needed (resend)

["R.H.Campbell" <rh.campbell@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, this is not as uncommon as you  might think. I and other small
dealers of my acquaintance do this on occasion when the situation warrants
it. Recently there was a huge downturn in the local Ottawa marketplace and
thousands of high tech types lost their jobs. A few called me up and asked
to disconnect the monitoring. When we discussed the situation, and I found
out why they wished to disconnect (morgaged to the hilt, no savings etc...),
I told them I would monitor their systems for no charge for a year, or until
things began to look up for them. If at that time, they wished to continue,
they could pay me past due, and continue. If they really wished to
disconnect, then that's fine too !!

Of the six or eight people who did this, a couple came back. The others
unfortunately were forced to sell their home and move on (these others must
have been in truly dire straits not to be able to afford $15 a month). But
at least during that time, they weren't left with no real protection, and I
do know I got some good press in their internal company newsgroups.

So, hey...what goes around comes around....

R.H.Campbell
Home Security Metal Products
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
www.homemetal.com

"Robert L. Bass" <robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:hYqdnRWBlITHeKPfRVn-qA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Fire detection adds another dimension to
>> the liability...however, he has an obligation
>> ...paying me.
>
> While this client was obviously just a deadbeat deserving of whatever you
> could lawfully do, there are times when a gentler approach may be better.
> In the late eighties there was a downturn in the economy.  A lot of people
> were suddenly out of work.  A fair number of our clients informed us that
> they would not be able to pay for monitoring because they were out of
> work.
>
> I called each one back and told them that their alarm would be monitored
> for free for one year.  After about a year and a half things started to
> pick up. Most people were working again.  I think we lost around five
> clients total. However, those were made up for many fold by referrals from
> appreciative clients who we carried for a year without payment.  During
> the time when many other small alarm companies failed or were sold, we
> actually grew our RMR base.
>
> Obviously that would not help with a deadbeat client like the one you
> described.  But when good customers go through hard times the best thing
> you can do for your business is to treat them well.  They'll stay with you
> forever and you'll get their friends and families too.
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Robert L Bass
>
> =============================>
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> Sarasota · Florida · 34231
> 877-722-8900 Sales & Tech Support
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>