Re: Some cautions for "Newbies"

["Jim" <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

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
> :-)
>
Well fer crisake FINALLY. I was WONDERING how much longer you were
going to wait.

All I can tell you is in a couple of years, when you decide you want
more kids, get in contact with me and I'll tell what it is that your
doing that causes them, because I know you don't have a clue. Just
remember, I'm the guy that told you that you had to peel off BOTH sids
of the double sided tape, for it to work right.

Congratulations Tom. If there's anyone who I knew could do it and
deserves it more, I can't think of who it would be.