Re: ADT Essential Wireless Package

["Mike" <BE@xxxxxxxxx>]

"Robert L Bass" <robertlbass@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Ur-dnYEgJalr-FDZnZ2dnUVZ_r6dnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> 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
> =============================>
Thanks for the clear advice Robert.  With you  replies and others I can make
an informed decision