Re: Please recommend a non-monitored system

[tourman <robercampbell@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Friday, January 23, 2015 at 9:39:07 PM UTC-5, Jim wrote:
> On Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 10:15:37 AM UTC-5, tourman wrote:
> >=20
> > Whoa..backup...calm down...take a deep breath.=20
> >=20
> > Although I will be leaving on my terms, just for the record, lets set t=
he facts straight. We do ALL the high tech things you have said you also do=
. Without the ability to keep with up with new solutions, you simply fall b=
ehind. We even consult at $100 an hour with other alarm companies in over t=
heir heads or those who lazily take the alarm.com avenue and find they are =
still in over their heads. Frankly, I am getting tired of using our experti=
se in bailing out companies unwilling or unable to learn the new technology=
 necessary to continue to operate. Unfortunately, my son truly enjoys helpi=
ng people - even those who compete with us.
> >=20
> > During the last four years, our customer base has DOUBLED with 80% of o=
ur business calling for high tech solutions. The average price of an alarm =
now is double or more what it was before, and the days of simple alarm inst=
alls are gone. Our problem is keeping up with growth and having the trained=
 staff to do what is needed to run a corporation. We are fully booked at le=
ast a month in advance for any sophisticated system, and people still wait.=
 My son and his field people do the work and being 70 plus, I was supposed =
to take a back seat, but find myself in full time duties doing office manag=
ement and front end assistance. We have also taken a front seat in working =
with a few third party vendors in assistance and guidance in bringing forth=
 products designed for third party applications specifically for the securi=
ty industry. Security now covers, electronic, physical and environmental se=
rvices  =20
> >=20
> > Our client base are highly educated, highly paid people in professions =
or those who work for government. They are smart enough to know that a long=
 term contract is not in their best interest, so gravitate to us quickly. B=
ut they also demand top quality high tech installations and good, personal =
service. Other companies routinely complain about our low prices and month =
to month contracts, but interestingly enough, have quickly gone that route.=
 My approach to them is do whatever is good for your business, but don't co=
mplain when clients don't like your restrictions. Outside of that, I really=
 could care less... =20
> >=20
> > After 25 years in business, there are many things about this business t=
hat I despise and just as many that I love, same as you. Unnecessary long t=
erm contracts are one, alarm companies that lock their boards as a matter o=
f course with no regard to the ownership of the board, and most of all, com=
panies like ADT that systematically rape and pillage other companies for th=
eir own bottom line gain. They should be industry leaders but instead choos=
e to only look at their bottom line. Sure, I know that is capitalism at its=
 worst, but the history of their shoddy work is rampant here and now they a=
re about to destroy a fine company up here called Protectron, likely puttin=
g 1000's out of work and dragging their monitoring services down to ADT lev=
els. Their "takeovers" are simply the easiest money we can make since most =
are simply "cash grabs" and anything but high tech...
> >=20
> > So you'll have to excuse my feelings towards them. I don't "hate" them;=
 I refuse to allow hatred in any form to soil my being. I'm not sure what w=
ord applies, but hate is not one of them. I do love this industry just as y=
ou do, but feel I have to speak out when I see things that are not in a cus=
tomer's best interest or the interest of the industry as a whole. And wheth=
er you agree with them or not !=20
> >=20
> > As always, you and I will have to agree to disagree, but as Bob Lalonde=
 has politely suggested, I'll try to bite my tongue on the subjects that ti=
p your wagon over. And since I rarely visit this site any more, you'll like=
ly have little reason to spue your brand of invective again. Take all of th=
e above any way you please..=20
> >=20
> > Some things like this group have lived past their usefulness I guess...
>=20
> WELL!!! All I can say then .... is congratulation. My observations were b=
ased on your method of operation a couple of years ago when your sole goal =
motivation and operation was taking over ADT accounts. Apparently your son =
has dragged you into the 21st century.=20
>=20
> However, I too have the same relationship with my clients AND....... addi=
tionally I've got the reinforcement of long term contracts that will fill m=
y pockets should/if I ever get to the point that I want/have to retire. ...=
..and so do you .... but to a much lesser degree.  So then .... who's bette=
r off ???=20
>=20
> I'd guess that my heirs will be rewarded greater than your heirs.

Frankly, with the advances in home automation and especially video monitori=
ng, I'm not sure of the long term viability of monitoring as we know it. Pe=
rsonally, I