Re: Some cautions for "Newbies"

["Everywhere Man" <alarminstall@xxxxxxx>]

Thanks Frank. Why do you think I've been posting in the middle of the
night?
He's already a Yankee fan, and he told me last night (yes he takes
after dad talking early and often) that he wants me to mail all of his
dirty diapers to Canada. :-)
He also said Mikey is a cheap bastard because he never sent him the
Canadian tradition of a 12 pack for the newborn.


Frank Olson wrote:
> Everywhere Man wrote:
> > The "question" thread wasn't a serious query regarding the purchase of
> > an alarm. It was a post by a sock puppet where they posted my business
> > information as if they just discovered Atlantis. They searched, and
> > searched, and searched for ages to locate this information when all
> > they had to do was read a trade magazine, or check association
> > websites. It surely pisses them off that my company is cleaner than the
> > Pope's poop chute, and that my reputation is golden. We passed the due
> > diligence process with BRINKS which included criminal background,
> > credit, and certification checks.The articles on my company deal with
> > child safety issues, false alarm reduction, and how to avoid sales
> > pressure tactics.
> > I closed the company in CT due to the death of my fiancee of ten years,
> > yet CT still shows Milford Alarm INC. as having a valid license. The
> > license can still be viewed on the State of CT's website. I moved back
> > to New York, and after regrouping from my loss I returned to the alarm
> > industry. Last year I married a wonderful woman, whom I have known
> > since my teens, and we are the proud parents of a 7 week old son.
> > I have 14 full time employees, most of whom graduated from Lincoln
> > Tech, and went through 3 months of training, plus another week of
> > training by a BRINKS rep, and IQ Certification before being allowed in
> > the field on their own. One is a former engineer for MIRCOM out of
> > Toronto (which is how I learned to speak Can Aye Jun). Most companies
> > here throw greenies in the field, but I refuse to.
> > Less than five percent of the installs are wireless, and we probably
> > use more 18/4 fire-rated cable in a week than most guys here use in a
> > year.
> > They believe that I was hiding my information from the group, but some
> > people here already knew about my company.
> > I never posted my company information because I am not here to
> > advertise, nor am I here to drum up business. BRINKS advertising, and
> > referrals sends me more than enough customers. ASA is not a forum for
> > selling ones wares. If I truly wanted to I could hammer the living crap
> > out of the prices offered by these DIY websites that are plugged here.
> >
> > For anyone wishing to see first-hand some of our installs they just
> > need to look for a BRINKS sign in Manhattan. You will find us in many
> > major businesses, and in many more luxury homes.
> >
> > To the individual who posted my info I would ask:
> > 1- Are you licensed?
> > 2- Are you bonded?
> > 3- Are you insured?
> > 4- Can you pass a criminal background check?
> > 5- Do you install systems in a manner that would meet IQ requirements?
> > 6- Does your company do an iota of the business that mine does?
> > 7- Do you subscribe to my belief that a customer should place more
> > emphasis on fire safety than on perimeter protection?
> > 8- How many positive business articles were written about you?
> > 9- What do you do to better your community? We donate thousands of
> > Child Safety kits to area law enforcement, and sponsor numerous events
> > for the local Veteran's Hospital.
> > 10- Do you work hands-on with law enforcement in an effort to reduce
> > false alarms?
> > 11- Can you buy a panel for the same price I can buy a kit?
> > 12- Do you refuse business when the customer wants something that you
> > know is an absolute sham? (kind of like cell back-up in NYC).
> >
> > I come here to break balls with people with whom I've corresponded with
> > for years.
> > It annoys the living shit out of some here that behind all of my
> > clowning around regarding me having no clue about alarms that I
> > actually have more real-life experience when it comes to trouble
> > shooting, installations, contractual issues, and service issues than
> > the most of the ASA visitors. I also forgot more about sales &
> > marketing than most people have ever learned (which either means I have
> > gone senile, or I am pretty damn good when it comes to developing
> > successful marketing strategies).
> > Now if by some chance this forum becomes nothing but a shopping mall
> > for potential clients then I might consider hanging the shingle up and
> > selling systems, but until such time I'll continue to come here for
> > entertainment. To me it's like a bar, minus the drinks, that you visit
> > after the work day ends.
> >
> > And keeping with the OT, I would welcome any and all  "newbies" from NY
> > who are shopping for an alarm system to buy to ask advice from anyone
> > else here because you need an unbiased opinion. I will not solicit your
> > business in any way shape or form here but if you do somehow choose my
> > company at the end then I'll gladly accept your business. Don't limit
> > yourself to this newsgroup.. There are many top-notch alarm dealers in
> > NY.  Take Holger's advice, and get at least 3 bids from local
> > companies. Check Robert Campbell's website as it has some of the inside
> > dirt on the industry (some of which I disagree with but view his
> > opinions nonetheless, and make your own determinations). Insist the
> > installing company use nothing less than 18/4 fire-rated cable for
> > keypads, power, sirens, motions, smokes, and glassbreaks. Spend more
> > money on fire protection than on burglary protection, and make sure you
> > test your alarm weekly.
> > Stay clear of the DIY route because you're more prone to error and you
> > have limited your support to someone who sits at a keyboard all day and
> > has limited practical experience.
> > Make certain that your alarm system is monitored by a reputable firm.
> > Remember that "FREE" only applies to the installation of a basic
> > system, but if that's what floats your boat then don't get your shorts
> > in a notch when the other shoe drops and you realize you get what you
> > pay for.
> > Most of all remember to NEVER, EVER, EVER call me during a Yankee game.
> > I'd let your house burn to the ground before I'd ever miss an inning
> > :-)
> >
>
>
>
> Congratulations on your recent family "addition", Tom.  He's going to
> keep you pretty busy at home when he starts walkin'!  Have you got him a
> mitt yet??  :-)