Re: Wadda Ya Do

[tourman <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Sep 3, 1:04=A0pm, Jim <alarmi...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> On Sep 3, 9:51=A0am, tourman <robercampb...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Sep 2, 4:40=A0pm, "Bob La Londe" <nos...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > > "Jim Rojas" <jro...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
>
> > >news:jzTfo.54441$EF1.27939@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> > > > Bob La Londe wrote:
> > > >> History:
> > > >> A couple years ago:
> > > >> The home owner decides to cancel service by not paying their bill.
> > > >> Multiple notices including notice that they have to send a written
> > > >> notice if they want to discontinue service. They are cancelled for
> > > >> nonpayment. They customer owns the actual system.
>
> > > >> A couple months ago:
> > > >> A renter calls wanting to know if I can setup or disable the alarm=
 for
> > > >> them. I believe they were getting trouble displays at the keypad. =
I
> > > >> explained that they will either have to pay for a service call or =
they
> > > >> will need to go on service with us. They decided to do nothing.
>
> > > >> This morning:
> > > >> The renter calls to make sure my number is a working number so the=
y can
> > > >> forward it to the property owner (the non paying previous occupant=
) in
> > > >> order to arrange service.
>
> > > >> A few minutes ago:
> > > >> I get a call from somebody claiming to be a sheriff's deputy wanti=
ng me
> > > >> to tell them over the phone how to disable the alarm at that locat=
ion
> > > >> because the sirens are going and the keypads are dead. Probably is=
 a
> > > >> sheriff's deputy, but I have a policy of not telling random caller=
s how
> > > >> to disable alarm systems.
>
> > > >> I feel for them, but I have a firm policy, of never performing ser=
vice
> > > >> for somebody with a past due balance, and never working for free. =
It is
> > > >> not "my alarm" system. I have no obligation, and I have work to do=
 for
> > > >> paying customers. I could do perform service for the current occup=
ant,
> > > >> but they are unwilling to pay for service.
>
> > > >> All parties have had plenty of time to take whatever measures they=
 need
> > > >> to. I'm going to work.
>
> > > > Refer them to Brinks...they will take care of them alright.
>
> > > Kills me. =A0The "cop" calling from his cell phone was pissed at me f=
or
> > > refusing to come help. =A0Didn't seem to understand that there were p=
ainfully
> > > obvious reasons why I wouldn't just tell him how to disable an alarm =
system
> > > over the phone.
>
> > RHC: Why is it that people think just because a cop says something
> > related to security that it is so. Some of the very worst, incorrect
> > and downright foolish advice that has been given out to customers has
> > come from police officers !! Being good at "policing" doesn't mean
> > they know squat about security.....-
>
> Unfortunately, you'd be hard put to find a Cop who would admit that.
> We've always got a number of alarm companys that are popping up in the
> area, that are owned by retired Cops and they almost always fail. They
> always try to cash in on the fact that they are ( or were) police
> officers. Those very few who prevail have got to make a quantum shift
> in their thinking to meld into the hardware security trade.
>
> In other words, they've got to truly believe that they will never get
> the chance to shoot the intruder. :-)

RHC: Absolutely right ! There is a local company here that was started
by a retired cop. I know him well and he is doing ok...not great...but
ok !  But he's the first to admit that he milks his past history at
every opportunity, and his record of police experience goes a long way
towards making potential customers trust him. Hey, if you can't trust
a cop, who can you trust ??...:)) Unfortunately, it doesn't
necessarily mean he knows jack shit about security or is any better at
it than others in the business.

Another fallacy in the security trade....