DIY - Sometimes....

[Bob La Londe]

The false due to temp reminded me of a few I have seen.

I have had a couple folks over the years ask me to monitor their self
installed alarm systems. I am always amazed that they don't understand why
I can't just magically make their ancient Radio Shack switch and buzzer box
start talking to the central station.

The classic though was the guy who proudly paraded around his house showing
me all the neat little battery operated independent door and window alarms
and TOLD ME that I should not have any problem monitoring his system.


--
Sincerly,
The guy who makes the final decision
on who we do business with.
Bob La Londe

The Security Consultant
Bob La Londe - Owner
P.O. Box 5720
Yuma, Az 85366

(928) 782-9765 ofc
(928) 782-7873 fax

Licensed Contractor
ROC103044 & ROC103047

 

[Frank Olson]

The false due to temp reminded me of a few I have seen.

I have had a couple folks over the years ask me to monitor their self
installed alarm systems. I am always amazed that they don't understand why
I can't just magically make their ancient Radio Shack switch and buzzer box
start talking to the central station.

The classic though was the guy who proudly paraded around his house showing
me all the neat little battery operated independent door and window alarms
and TOLD ME that I should not have any problem monitoring his system.

ROFL!!!

 

[Robert L Bass]

I have had a couple folks over the years ask me to monitor their
self installed alarm systems. I am always amazed that they don't
understand why I can't just magically make their ancient Radio
Shack switch and buzzer box start talking to the central
station...

The funny thing is, although we deal almost exclusively with DIYers,
I rarely get calls from people with RadShak systems. I get a fair
number of calls from folks who have bought homes with existing
systems in them. Usually they've tried to get their systems serviced
by a local alarm company but aren't interested in monitoring. Since
most alarm companies won't service a non-monitored system, they
choose to DIY. Those tend to be the most difficult clients for us
since they're not really DIYers. Most of the time someone who is a
little handy with tools and willing to spend a weekend or two can
easily learn to install his own system.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[Bob La Londe]

The funny thing is, although we deal almost exclusively with DIYers, I
rarely get calls from people with RadShak systems. I get a fair number of
calls from folks who have bought homes with existing systems in them.
Usually they've tried to get their systems serviced by a local alarm
company but aren't interested in monitoring. Since most alarm companies
won't service a non-monitored system, they choose to DIY. Those tend to
be the most difficult clients for us since they're not really DIYers.
Most of the time someone who is a little handy with tools and willing to
spend a weekend or two can easily learn to install his own system.

Actually for me too. I get a number of calls from folks who have moved into
a home where we installed a system for a previous owner. I politely tell
them, "We charge a full one hour service call to come out, check the system,
train you on how it works, and bring a spare user manual or print out a copy
for you. If you go on monitoring service with us we will waive the cost of
the initial service call. If there is anything wrong with your system that
requires materials or labor in excess of one hour you will have to pay for
that in either case." Their next few sentences always tell me what I am
dealing with.

An amazing number think we should come out and service the system, run
copies of user manuls and alarm information, and train them on it without
being paid at all.

This little bit right here is exactly what I need to say to them to save
myself a ton of headaches:

"We charge a full one hour service call to come out, check the system train
you on how it works and bring a spare user manual or print out a copy for
you. If you go on monitoring service with us we will waive the cost of the
initial service call. If there is anything wrong with your system that
requires materials or labor in excess of one hour you will have to pay for
that in either case."

I never ever waive the service call for somebody who has learned to, "beef,"
or who tries to play manipulation games. While its probably to late in
their lives to try behavior modification I still believe its wrong to reward
bad behavior.

If I installed it I will gladly service it no matter how old or how many
owners the premise has gone through, but I don't work for free. They can
pay for a service call or they can go on service. I write the waived
service call onto the contract as waived in exchange for minimum one year
contract. If they cancel early I bill them for the initial service call.
Some try that. Pay one month service and then cancel to get out of the cost
of a service call.

What I suspect you are getting as your "more difficult" clients are those
who refuse to pay for service or monitoring, and yes there are many
companies who will not service a system they are not currently monitoring,
but I suspect that is not all of what you are seeing no matter what they
actually say.


--
Sincerly,
The guy who makes the final decision
on who we do business with.
Bob La Londe

The Security Consultant
Bob La Londe - Owner
P.O. Box 5720
Yuma, Az 85366

(928) 782-9765 ofc
(928) 782-7873 fax

Licensed Contractor
ROC103044 & ROC103047

 

[Robert L Bass]

... I get a number of calls from folks who have moved into a home
where we installed a system for a previous owner. I politely tell
them, "We charge a full one hour service call to come out, check
the system, train you on how it works, and bring a spare user
manual or print out a copy for you. If you go on monitoring
service with us we will waive the cost of the initial service call.
If there is anything wrong with your system that requires materials
or labor in excess of one hour you will have to pay for that in
either case." Their next few sentences always tell me what I am
dealing with.

There are some similarities with online sales, except that we don't
charge for our time -- just the merchandise. We frequently get calls
from people who've tripped an alarm that was installed by a previous
tennant or owner and don't know how to shut it off. If I know the
system and they sound real I walk them through disabling it, remind
them that their smoke detectors may be disabled, too, and suggest
they contact a local alarm company for service. Very few of these
calls are from people with DIY skills or inclinations. If they want
to handle it themselves I provide parts and/or manuals as needed but
most don't.

An amazing number think we should come out and service the system,
run copies of user manuls and alarm information, and train them on
it without being paid at all...

A lot of "service" calls come from people who think we are Napco,
Honeywell or whatever. They search online for the manufacturer but
our link often comes up first (gotta love Google) so they call. If
all they need is a manual I email one to them. It's no big deal. I
have quite a few on my server and links to hundreds more on our
vendors' servers. Since going out to service their alarms isn't an
option (half the time they're calling from Texas or Idaho it seems),
I don't mind helping out a bit. You never know when it may turn into
a sale down the road. Of course, for a local alarm company "you
never know... down the road" isn't goiong to pay for thecost of
sending a tech out.

This little bit right here is exactly what I need to say to them to
save myself a ton of headaches:

"We charge a full one hour service call to come out, check the
system train you on how it works and bring a spare user manual or
print out a copy for you. If you go on monitoring service with us
we will waive the cost of the initial service call. If there is
anything wrong with your system that requires materials or labor in
excess of one hour you will have to pay for that in either case."

That's fair and reasonable -- far better than many other companies
might do. If they won't accept that you're better off not dealing
with them.

I never ever waive the service call for somebody who has learned
to, "beef," or who tries to play manipulation games. While its
probably to late in their lives to try behavior modification I
still believe its wrong to reward bad behavior.

So Jiminex won't be getting much help from you, eh? :^)

If I installed it I will gladly service it no matter how old or how
many owners the premise has gone through, but I don't work for
free. They can pay for a service call or they can go on service.
I write the waived service call onto the contract as waived in
exchange for minimum one year contract. If they cancel early I
bill them for the initial service call. Some try that. Pay one
month service and then cancel to get out of the cost of a service
call.

When I owned a small alarm company we would service any system we
installed during the warranty period (I gave five years in the early
days but later cut it back to two), even if a new owner moved in. We
got a lot of new monitoring contracts that way. After warranty or if
someone else installed it, service calls were paid by the hour. Like
you though, if they signed up for monitoring the basic service visit
to test, connect, teach and sign up was free.

What I suspect you are getting as your "more difficult" clients are
those who refuse to pay for service or monitoring, and yes there
are many companies who will not service a system they are not
currently monitoring, but I suspect that is not all of what you are
seeing no matter what they actually say.

I don't disagree with you. Unreasonable people rarely admit they've
jerked the previous contractor around. But there are enough calls
from folks who say they've been screwed by the local company or from
folks who can't get service without signing a multi-year monitoring
agreement that I know that happens a lot, too. Even here in ASA
numerous alarm techs say they won't service any alarm unless it's
monitored by them. That's their right, of course. They shouldn't
have to do business with anyone unless they want to. For me it's a
plus because many of those clients search online for support.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[Frank Olson]

There are some similarities with online sales, except that we don't
charge for our time -- just the merchandise. We frequently get calls
from people who've tripped an alarm that was installed by a previous
tennant or owner and don't know how to shut it off. If I know the
system and they sound real I walk them through disabling it,

I'm sure everyone "sounds real" on the telephone. Sure Bass... Every
thief should have your number memorized. "I'm going to break...
errmm... enter my newly purchased house but the previous owner left the
system "armed". How do I disable it??" Heard from "Elvis" lately?

A lot of "service" calls come from people who think we are Napco,
Honeywell or whatever. They search online for the manufacturer but our
link often comes up first (gotta love Google) so they call. If all they
need is a manual I email one to them. It's no big deal. I have quite a
few on my server and links to hundreds more on our vendors' servers.
Since going out to service their alarms isn't an option (half the time
they're calling from Texas or Idaho it seems), I don't mind helping out
a bit. You never know when it may turn into a sale down the road. Of
course, for a local alarm company "you never know... down the road"
isn't goiong to pay for thecost of sending a tech out.


That's fair and reasonable -- far better than many other companies might
do. If they won't accept that you're better off not dealing with them.

You frequently use "most" and "many" when you denigrate installation
companies. I find that "most" and "many" alarm service companies charge
a reasonable rate for service. "Most" people understand that it costs
money to roll a service truck to their premises and expect to be charged
a "reasonable amount". As long as they agree to the price quoted over
the phone I have no problem servicing a local alarm system. Of course,
this kind of information doesn't interest you in the slightest because
it goes against the Bass-ic Principle of Alarm DIY.

So Jiminex won't be getting much help from you, eh? :^)

Jim doesn't need Bob's help... Or yours. You on the other hand don't
have a problem stealing his installation methods and fobbing them off as
your own...

When I owned a small alarm company we would service any system we
installed during the warranty period (I gave five years in the early
days but later cut it back to two), even if a new owner moved in.

You mean like any other alarm company out there??

We
got a lot of new monitoring contracts that way.

Well duh-hhh!

I don't disagree with you. Unreasonable people rarely admit they've
jerked the previous contractor around. But there are enough calls from
folks who say they've been screwed by the local company or from folks
who can't get service without signing a multi-year monitoring agreement
that I know that happens a lot, too. Even here in ASA numerous alarm
techs say they won't service any alarm unless it's monitored by them.

Name "one" of the "numerous" that post here that won't service a local
system and provide the Google link.

 

[tourman]

I'm sure everyone "sounds real" on the telephone. Sure Bass... Every
thief should have your number memorized. "I'm going to break...
errmm... enter my newly purchased house but the previous owner left the
system "armed". How do I disable it??" Heard from "Elvis" lately?

<snip>








You frequently use "most" and "many" when you denigrate installation
companies. I find that "most" and "many" alarm service companies charge
a reasonable rate for service. "Most" people understand that it costs
money to roll a service truck to their premises and expect to be charged
a "reasonable amount". As long as they agree to the price quoted over
the phone I have no problem servicing a local alarm system. Of course,
this kind of information doesn't interest you in the slightest because
it goes against the Bass-ic Principle of Alarm DIY.





Jim doesn't need Bob's help... Or yours. You on the other hand don't
have a problem stealing his installation methods and fobbing them off as
your own...


You mean like any other alarm company out there??


Well duh-hhh!




Name "one" of the "numerous" that post here that won't service a local
system and provide the Google link.

RHC: Uh....not to jump in to the middle of this pissing contest, but I
won't work on a non monitored system for any reason - period!!

Why not?...for several reasons..

1- My business model is not to sign parties to anything other than a
month to month contract. So if they want their local system serviced,
I do it, and one month later they leave me ?
2- Local alarms are next to useless and I won't waste my time and
someone's money fixing a local system.
3- With too many accounts now, I reserve my limited time and energy
for servicing my RMR paying customers.

I gladly help people when they call me, but I simply won't waste my
time (even billable time) on a local system. Luckily, virtually
everyone I deal with sees the logic in
having their alarm monitored properly, especially when it comes
bundled with service and 100% warranty and all at a reasonable market
price !

Sorry Frank, but you asked.....

 

[Matt Ion]

The false due to temp reminded me of a few I have seen.

I have had a couple folks over the years ask me to monitor their self
installed alarm systems. I am always amazed that they don't understand why
I can't just magically make their ancient Radio Shack switch and buzzer box
start talking to the central station.

The classic though was the guy who proudly paraded around his house showing
me all the neat little battery operated independent door and window alarms
and TOLD ME that I should not have any problem monitoring his system.

Yeah, should be easy enough... as long as he's providing room and board.

 

[Robert L Bass]

RHC: Uh....not to jump in to the middle of this pissing contest,
but I won't work on a non monitored system for any reason -
period!!

No problem there, Bob. You're under no obligation to service a
non-monitored system. Most other alarm companies won't either. FTR,
it's not a contest. I post what I know and what I believe. Olson
posts... well, urine. :^)

Why not?...for several reasons..

1- My business model is not to sign parties to anything other than
a month to month contract. So if they want their local system
serviced, I do it, and one month later they leave me ?

I understand your approach and it's different from most in that you
don't insist on a long-term contract. You try to keep your customers
by servicing them well instead of an air-tight contract. The reality
is that your approach should act as a filter -- the good people stay
with you while the cheapskates go away. This is a good thing. :^)

2- Local alarms are next to useless and I won't waste my time and
someone's money fixing a local system.

We disagree on that point, Bob. IMO (and that's all it is: my
opinion), most thieves will run off right away when they hear a loud,
exterior siren. They don't know if the police have been called but
they do know that anyone within earshot is likely to be paying
attention. Obviously, in high crime areas and some sparsely
populated places that's not true, but in the kind of neighborhoods I
worked in (primarily middle class to affluent residential) for over
20 years it certainly was.

That's my opinion about burglar alarms. Fire is a different story.
If a fire erpupts and the homeowner is fast asleep or not around, the
central station can often get the fire department out in time to save
lives or property.

3- With too many accounts now, I reserve my limited time and energy
for servicing my RMR paying customers.

Agreed. From the standpoint of the alarm company, monitored accounts
are worth far more effort than local alarms. There is no reason why
you shoould have to service an alarm that only pays for the time when
the same time can be spent on an RMR generating account.

I gladly help people when they call me...

I know. I never forgot the time you made several international phone
calls to help me out on a system with which I wasn't familiar.
Remember that guy -- a doctor in California IIRC.

but I simply won't waste my time (even billable time) on a local
system. Luckily, virtually everyone I deal with sees the logic in
having their alarm monitored properly, especially when it comes
bundled with service and 100% warranty and all at a reasonable
market price !

That last part if one of the best reasons an alarm user ought to
consider a professionally installed alarm. When the company provides
effective, reasonably priced service as part of the deal it's worth
the expense. The problem is that for every company like yours there
are at least a dozen Jiminexes who'll gladly gouge the client for all
they can get and two dozen "authorized dealers" who haven't a clue
what customer service means.

Sorry Frank, but you asked.....

He wasn't really interested in an answer -- just whining.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[Robert L Bass]

Yeah, should be easy enough... as long as he's providing room and
board.

LOL!

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[tourman]

2- Local alarms are next to useless and I won't waste my time and

someone's money fixing a local system.

We disagree on that point, Bob. IMO (and that's all it is: my
opinion), most thieves will run off right away when they hear a loud,
exterior siren. They don't know if the police have been called but
they do know that anyone within earshot is likely to be paying
attention. Obviously, in high crime areas and some sparsely
populated places that's not true, but in the kind of neighborhoods I
worked in (primarily middle class to affluent residential) for over
20 years it certainly was.

That's my opinion about burglar alarms. Fire is a different story.
If a fire erpupts and the homeowner is fast asleep or not around, the
central station can often get the fire department out in time to save
lives or property.

RHC: In our locale, exterior horns are strictly forbidden. A homeowner
with one can be charged if such a thing ever started to blare. As
such, alarms here ONLY have interior horns, which would serve to wake
up the homeowner in the event of a nighttime robbery (also quite rare
here). In the case of a fire, the alarm smoke detector would at least
wake up the homeowner to hopefully get him out of the house before
smoke overcomes him. So, yeah, local systems do serve a limited
purpose I suppose, but it seems to me, installing only a local system
is a bit like buying a luxury car and then equipping it with cheap
tires and a tiny engine.

I give my clients a complete rundown, including pictures, of the huge
investment in equipment, people and software that makes up a
professional monitoring station, and they quickly realize that the
hardware I install in their home is only a small part of their total
security picture.

But...hey...could be I've also become swayed by the "siren song of
RMR"....)

 

[Robert L Bass]

RHC: In our locale, exterior horns are strictly forbidden. A
homeowner with one can be charged if such a thing ever started to
blare...

Wow, Bob! That sounds like a central monitoring station wrote the
law. :^)

... So, yeah, local systems do serve a limited purpose I suppose,
but it seems to me, installing only a local system is a bit like
buying a luxury car and then equipping it with cheap tires and a
tiny engine.

In your situation, I completely agree.

But...hey...could be I've also become swayed by the "siren song of
RMR"....)

The thought never crossed my mind. Based on what I know of you, I
figure you do pretty much what you believe is best for the customer.
I try to do the same thing, but from a different perspective and with
a very different set of circumstances. Bear in mind I'm not opposed
to monitoring. I just don't believe it's essential in certain
situations. If a customer asks for it I refer them to 911Alarm or
NextAlarm since both seem to do a good job at a much more reasonable
cost than these other characters charge.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[Roger W]

I installed my own system about a year ago. Never had a false alarm so was
somewhat surprised when it went off while I was outside gardening. My wife
had accidentally set it off using her key fob. Unfortunately my key fob had
recently been run over and the disarm key on my wifes fob picked that moment
to fail. Had to work out how to disarm it using the panel. Have you ever
tried reading the Visonic instruction manual while the alarm is going off
right next to you!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Never install a siren near a keypad, I always say.

 

[tourman]

The thought never crossed my mind. Based on what I know of you, I
figure you do pretty much what you believe is best for the customer.
I try to do the same thing, but from a different perspective and with
a very different set of circumstances. Bear in mind I'm not opposed
to monitoring. I just don't believe it's essential in certain
situations. If a customer asks for it I refer them to 911Alarm or
NextAlarm since both seem to do a good job at a much more reasonable
cost than these other characters charge.

RHC: Well honestly Bob, I don't think I am any different than the vast
majority of small and medium companies out there (and on this
newsgroup). They all (I believe) try to do the best for their
customers. In our industry there seem to be four categories of
companies...1- the outright thieves (thankfully in the minority)...2-
the vast majority of honest companies just trying to make a living but
at vastly different price levels...3- the big, largely uncaring
companies usually only concerned about the bottom line,....and 4- the
outright scammers and deceptively opportunistic marketeers.

Frankly, I'm glad at this point that the RMR IS there. My son came
down with infectious mononucleosis just before Christmas, and although
he is now well, victims of this virus remain totally useless with no
energy for months to follow. So I have had to cancel all new
installations until after I return from Florida in April, since he is
only able to do the intermittent service calls that come in, but
nothing more strenuous, while he looks after our existing customer
base. In this area, there are very few quality independent alarm
installation contractors available that I could use, and any that
become available are quickly sucked up by the big companies. Nor do I
trust many of them to work to my standards frankly.. So bottom line,
without that huge cheque each month from 1000 plus monitored
customers, I wouldn't be able to carry the business forward !

They say bad things happen in three's...that leaves one to go....(

 

[Robert L Bass]

I installed my own system about a year ago. Never had a false alarm
so was somewhat surprised when it went off while I was outside
gardening. My wife had accidentally set it off using her key fob.
Unfortunately my key fob had recently been run over and the disarm
key on my wifes fob picked that moment to fail. Had to work out how
to disarm it using the panel. Have you ever tried reading the
Visonic instruction manual while the alarm is going off right next
to you!

They know that, Collin. Olson attacks everything I say. He couldn't
care less whether I teach 50,000 people how to service their own
alarms. It's all about posting flames for him and a few others. You
can pretty much ignore him and miss very little of value.

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[Robert L Bass]

RHC: Well honestly Bob, I don't think I am any different than the
vast majority of small and medium companies out there (and on this
newsgroup). They all (I believe) try to do the best for their
customers. In our industry there seem to be four categories of

companies...1- the outright thieves (thankfully in the minority)...2-
the vast majority of honest companies just trying to make a living
but at vastly different price levels...3- the big, largely uncaring
companies usually only concerned about the bottom line,....and 4- the
outright scammers and deceptively opportunistic marketeers.

I agree with you, Bob, though there are proably a higher percentage
of thieves and scammers in the newsgroup than in the alarm community
as a whole.

Frankly, I'm glad at this point that the RMR IS there. My son came
down with infectious mononucleosis just before Christmas, and
although he is now well, victims of this virus remain totally
useless with no energy for months to follow...

Sorry to hear that, Bob. I know what you mean, too. My other
brother (not Michael) came down with mono when we were teens and he's
been useless ever since. :^)

So I have had to cancel all new installations until after I return
from Florida in April...

Hmm. Are you posting from down here now? I was thinking of
suggesting we get together this year. You up for a ride? I might be
able to take a run up your way (Florida, not Canada) if you haven't
the time to hit Sarasota.

... Nor do I trust many of them to work to my standards frankly..

That's the biggest problem. I lucked out when I hired one particular
guy way back when. He stayed with us for 18 years and his work was
impeccable. He an his brother bought us out when I sold the
business.

So bottom line, without that huge cheque each month from 1000 plus
monitored customers, I wouldn't be able to carry the business
forward !

They say bad things happen in three's...that leaves one to
go....(

Jiminex just announced he's moving to Canada? :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[tourman]

"tourman" wrote:

Hmm. Are you posting from down here now? I was thinking of
suggesting we get together this year. You up for a ride? I might be
able to take a run up your way (Florida, not Canada) if you haven't
the time to hit Sarasota.

RHC:No not yet. I arrive in Florida 5 Feb but won't be down your way
(Bradenton) until after 18th of March. If you're around, we can get
out on the bikes for a ride...yeah, I'd like that. Gotta see that
Suzuki bomber you've got...that's a real piece of work.

This year I will have a high speed internet connection so posting will
be much easier than dial up as it was last year.

 

[Robert L Bass]

RHC:No not yet. I arrive in Florida 5 Feb but won't be down your
way
(Bradenton) until after 18th of March. If you're around, we can get
out on the bikes for a ride...yeah, I'd like that. Gotta see that
Suzuki bomber you've got...that's a real piece of work.

That works. We're not going to Carnaval this year so we'll be in
Florida at least until April or May. How long will you be in
Bradenton? If you like, come stay with us. There's plenty of room
for you and your sweetheart.

This year I will have a high speed internet connection so posting
will be much easier than dial up as it was last year.

Same here -- wifi throughout the house, even out by the pool. :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

==============================>
Bass Home Electronics
4883 Fallcrest Circle
Sarasota · Florida · 34233
http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
Sales & Tech Support 941-925-8650
Customer Service 941-232-0791
Fax 941-870-3252
==============================>

 

[Frank Olson]

companies...1- the outright thieves (thankfully in the minority)...2-
the vast majority of honest companies just trying to make a living but
at vastly different price levels...3- the big, largely uncaring
companies usually only concerned about the bottom line,....and 4- the
outright scammers and deceptively opportunistic marketeers.

I agree with you, Bob, though there are proably a higher percentage of
thieves and scammers in the newsgroup than in the alarm community as a
whole.

Actually there's only one. He frequently spams the Group with useless
HTML code and a "line card" that spans everything from "soup" to "salt
water lures". He's also responsible for posting several really
entertaining installation fairy tales. He lives in Sarasota, Florida
and goes by the name of Bass. He's well known to USENET for trolling
several Groups promoting his "online store". He has admitted to having
"personal bias" on almost every manufacturer he represents, which
basically means his "preference" is that you shop *his* store where the
"service" is shoddy as all too many have discovered.

http://westflorida.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=47&bbb=0653&firm=41001663

Thirty complaints for a small "home based" business. That's actually
"criminal" Bass, but then, we all know your record, don't we??

 

[tourman]

That works. We're not going to Carnaval this year so we'll be in
Florida at least until April or May. How long will you be in
Bradenton? If you like, come stay with us. There's plenty of room
for you and your sweetheart.

RHC: That is very kind of you but we have this ongoing "exchange" with
friends of ours. They visit us in Panama City Beach for a week and we
visit them for a week in Bradenton after our stay is over. But I do
appreciate the kind offer. I will get over for that ride we talked
about though...and maybe a couple of those burgers you brag
about...)