Re: ADT Essential Wireless Package

["Robert L Bass" <robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I would have much preferred to deal w/ an independent
> but it's not in the cards right now.  I've got other things
> I need to spend my time on.

Don't sweat it, Mike.  Go with your gut feeling about the people you're
dealing with.  Definitely read the contract and negotiate the best deal that
fits your needs.  If the dealer is ADT corporate, don't worry.  You're
probably ok.  It they're an "authorized dealer" be very careful.  Some are
honest.  Many are not.

Don't let the ADT bashers worry you.  Many of these guys have been trying
for years to compete with ADT.  Because their own businesses are not
particularly successful they blame ADT instead of evaluating their own
shortcomings and finding ways to improve themselves.

I used to sell against guys like these all the time before I sold my alarm
company.  We were small and we ran a tiny, non-UL listed central station out
of offices attached to our home (previously a doctor's home / office).  The
local bad-mouth artists would say our c-station was in the basement or the
garage.  They'd claim we sold inferior hardware because we were small.  One
guy used to tell customers he knew me from the local high school and he
would lay down a litany of lies, ignoring the fact that we'd never met and
that I grew up in a different state.  I beat those characters at sales every
day of the week by offering more protection, using top-of-the-line systems
and doing a professional presentation.  Frequently customers would ask me
what I thought of one or another competitor, especially the one I knew were
bad-mouth artists.  I'd just say, "He's a competitor.  I prefer to let him
stand or fall on his own merits rather than speak good or ill of him."  Then
I'd get back to my presentation.  If the customer said that the other guy
had spoken ill of me I'd just say, "It's unfortunate some folks resort to
that sort of thing to make a sale."

What you've seen here is the same sort of thing.  A few sales people or
small dealers who have a hard time competing with ADT bad-mouth them rather
than offering any constructive advice.

It's not all black and white, of course.  A couple of these guys have
offered good suggestions about contract term, price negotiation and so on.
Good for them and better for you.

Oh, by the way, I have nothing to gain or lose in your choice either way
since I don't offer installed systems.  If you were interested in doing it
yourself I'd offer my services.  However, there is something I can do for
you and it won't cost you a cent.  Ask the rep to list exactly what make and
model sensors he's putting in.  Then go to my website.  I list over 41,000
products, including many of the most popular brands of alarm systems.
Compare what you're paying to the retail price of the hardware.  That will
give you a way to compare the equipment value between competing installers.

Best of luck.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

=============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
941-866-1100 Sales & Tech Support
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
=============================>