Re: Computer virus???

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

"Nick Lawrence" wrote:
>
> ... (one of the largest dealers anywhere) was merely one of many dealers
> which has improperly employed the "local programming lockout", it is a big
> problem in the CA marketplace. We know (as does almost everyone here) of
> other large US regional dealers doing the same evil, anti-competitive,
> anti-consumer acts.

Nick,

You are absolutely right.  The illegal and unethical use of programming
lockouts is extremely common in the alarm industry.  They are but one of
thousands of dealers whose practices are anti-competitive and anti-consumer.
Many of the installersd who post here will of course deny it, though they know
full well the practice us widespread.

> As to their "nefarious agenda", one can surmise the dealer's intent when it
> refuses to remove the "local programming lockout" from the customer-owned
> panel, at the customer's written request, upon termination and full payment
> for the contract term.

Precisely.  The only purpose is to make it more expensive and more difficult
for the consumer to switch service providers.  No one posting here, especially
Olson and Leuck, is unaware of the problem.  Don't expect them to post an
honest opinion on the subject though.

> Unfortunately, "defaulting the board" (returning all programming options to
> factory presets, thus losing zone identities, keypad alpha words, user
> arm/disarm codes, bell timeouts, false alarm protections, etc) means that
> the system will no longer properly work as a "local", thus merely adding to
> the customer's misery, and robbing him of much of what he paid for. Way to
> go!

The operative word here is, indeed, "robbery."  By depriving the consumer of
what he purchased and paid for, the alarm company commits an act of theft.
The legal term is unlawful conversion.  Again, these guys know it but they'll
never admit it.

> Alas, if only the outgoing dealer would merely remove the "local programming
> lockout", the receiver, download and account numbers, test timer etc, and
> return the installer code to default, leaving the system fully operative as
> a non-reporting "local" system, the whole issue could be avoided.

Correct.  There are a few who actually do the right thing.  Unfortunately,
it's next to impossible for the customer to determine in advance if he's
dealing with an honest dealer or another jiminex.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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