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Re: LOCKED PANEL



On Sep 7, 7:02?am, tourman <robercampb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > I've stated it before but in a nut shell, I lock my panels when
> > they're installed. They stay locked as long as I monitor the system.
> > If people move out, whether I'm informed or not, the board stays
> > locked. If the new people call me to resume monitoring, obviously, the
> > board stays locked, again while I monitor the system. Should the new
> > owner want to go with someone else and never calls me, the board,
> > obviously, will remain locked and the owner, unfortunately will likely
> > get ripped off by the new installer, if the installer isn't honest
> > enough to tell the owner he can call me.  If he calls and asks me to
> > unlock it, if I can download it, I'll do it at no charge. If I have to
> > make a trip, for some/any reason, I get a check (waiting for it to
> > clear first) prior to making the trip, or cash payment when I walk in
> > the door, for a service call.
>
> RHC: Ok, you've stated your position and that's how you choose to run
> things. Although I find your approach unusually harsh, I don't know
> the business conditions you work under so I don't pass judgment on
> that part of it. I gather things are far more competitive in your area
> and there are more underhanded tactics being employed by competitors,
> so it's perhaps understandable. However, I would certainly take issue
> with the fact you don't unlock the customer's board once his contract
> is up with you, forcing him to get back to you for unlocking, or the
> new installation company to do the same.

As it turns out, usually I don't even know the client is going or gone
until I get a call from the new owner or from the new owners alarm
company. If I do get advanced notice, however, I ask them to give me
the new owners number or the real estate companys name or worst case,
give them my name and number during closing. If that fails, if I'm in
the neighborhood, I'll stop and ask or leave a note or card. If I'm
already there, and they don't want service, I'll unlock it for them.


>Plus, I don't think a charge
> to the customer is fair to undo something you've done to HIS equipment
> solely to provide a measure of protection to yourself. If things are
> so hard nosed within the industry where you are, it's not likely the
> competitive company would even bother to contact you, thereby ensuring
> the client would end up being charged for a new board almost
> automatically. So the customer would end up penalized unfairly
> regardless.

I guess that happens occasionally, but when I run into a panel that's
locked, I'll call the alarm company for the code. Most times it's
given. I always give it, when I'm called by another alarm company.
But ..... time is money. If the truck rolls, I get paid. If that rubs
you the wrong way, just think about it such that ..... the original
owners never paid me for the unlocking service when they had the
system installed.
>
> One of the other problems with taking a wholesale approach to locking
> boards is a lot of small guys leave the business leaving a useless
> board in their wake. I know this doesn't apply to you since you have
> been in business a lot of years, but in my unregulated area, it is
> very common. The put in 10 or so "free systems", decide it is too
> expensive to continue, and simply disappear. One of the large
> companies in our area buys up smaller companies like this, and even
> some not-so-small ones. Even though the installer codes are given to
> them when the deal is done, a lot of panels don't end up having those
> installer codes in them, and the buyer ends up with a useless board.

Well, we can never account for the boards that a locked in this
manner, but it's not a perfect world. All we can do is shake our head
and say it's a shame. But .... that's the breaks. Nothing I can do
about it. It doesn't happen with my clients if I'm kept apprised of
what's happening.

 If I run into a locked board and can't unlock it, and the client
wants my service, he pays whatever it takes to get it. I don't get all
teary over it or upset that the other alarm company didn't unlock the
board .... That's just the way it is.

There's nothing that could be done about board locking now, no matter
what. The Genie has been let out of the bottle and there's nothing
that can be done to put him back. Some people will take an I don't
give a damn stance. Some will go part way. Others will try to work it
out. That's what happens in this area and I suspect in every area. You
seem to focus too much on the bad ones and .... of course, you never
see the other companys who do work it out ..... It seems, the way
you're always expressing shock and indignation about board locking and
term contracts, in spite of the fact that "everyone else does it",
that you think everyone else is bad bad bad and you're the White
Knight, who knows that everyone else is wrong and here you are, to the
rescue. It's just a windmill. There's nothing you can do about it. But
that's alright. You certainly have the option to do and persue what
you think is right.

If you unlock boards without knowing if the alarm company is owed
money, than you're no better than what you think of people who lock
boards and wont unlock them.

If you think it's alright to run a business with out long term
contracts more power to you. If you think it's alright to try to
convince end users that they'll be able to find someone who wont want
them to sign a term contracts .... again, that's just as bad as you
think people are who lock end users into contracts and don't give them
good service and seek to force them to adhere to the
contract.....regardless.

>
>
>
> > I think someone  ummm maybe it was Petrum who had a problem with this
> > last part when I stated it ....a number of years ago. I think he
> > didn't like the idea that I charged for unlocking the board. To
> > me ..... regardless, a service call is a service call.
>
> RHC: I would have to agree with him on this. I think a service call
> that is generated because you cannot undo something that you should
> have undone when his contract was up is not reasonable.

As I say, if the truck rolls, I get paid. I just didn't charge for it
when I installed the system.
>
> I think that's all you should need to take your shot.
>
> RHC: I'm not here to "take a shot" at anyone including you. I would
> like to think that as professionals we could discuss things
> intelligently even when we TOTALLY disagree with each other as we do.
> Needless to say, you and I are at both ends of the spectrum regarding
> how we run our businesses. So be it ! Neither will change the other.
> Perhaps my business couldn't even be run in your neck of the woods,
> and your's likely wouldn't survive in my environment; so be it !!

So I guess your the only company that's surviving in your area. Wow,
pretty good!

>
> BTW, suggesting as you do that if I knew who you actually are would
> represent some kind of threat to you is ridiculous. When I close down
> my computer and the virtual world disappears, so does everything about
> it. There are only three people I have met in person on this
> newsgroup...Mikey, who is local: Jim Rojas in Tampa and RLB both of
> whom I have had the pleasure of meeting, and both of whom are quite
> unlike there on line persona.

You wouldn't like me in RL either.
I'd probably make you feel like you'd want to pull a gun on me, like
your friend Dead Ass did to someone.

>
> I suggest you might want to reserve judgment about people until you
> have met them.

I calls em as I sees em ..... here, there ...... where ever.

By the way, ask Jim R what it's like doing business in the NY area. We
had a conversation quite some time ago, and I know he could fill you
in a lot better in person, next time you see him.




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