Texas Settles With Alarm Company Sales Tactics

I've stated in a previous post that all residents should be wary of any stranger that comes to the door, especially anyone trying to sell a product or service without the proper regulating authority's credentials properly presented and clearly visible.

It gives me no pleasure in bringing to your attention a case against one of my competitors recently settled in Texas. In fact, it's rather embarrassing to note that there are "bad actors" among those of us in a relatively respected and sensitive industry. That being one that puts the protection of your home and life in high regard and sensitivity. This is an article recently published on the Texas Attorney General's website.

It is my hope, and those of many of my colleagues that a lesson is learned by these folks and that fair business practices carry from this moment forward.

Drill Down to Minimize Surprises

Remember fire drills in school? For a lot of us, it was pretty exciting to break the monotony in class. But we just couldn't run outside when we heard the special bell ring. There was order. A single file method and a calm way to move out of the building into designated safe areas. The purpose of the drill was to make sure all systems were go. That we knew what to do, how to do it, how long it would take, what unlocked door to exit, recognizing orders from our drill captains....making sure the bell worked. In case of an actual emergency there should be no surprises. It's a reassuring to know that you have it all under control isn't it?

　

I try to educate my alarm customers to construct a response system of their own, so that when an actual alarm event should arise, that they know exactly what to do.

　

First question I have, do you know your password? It's natural that most alarm calls to the monitoring stations are false. That will always be the case. We are all human and prone to mistakes. However, what exacerbates to a problem is whenever the monitoring operator cannot cancel the false alarm because the person on the other end doesn't know their password to properly be identified an authorized user. That gets awkward, when the only thing left to do is to dispatch the police afterwards. Know your password. I encourage you to have one that you can recall even after you cut a finger off. (Curse words and racial slurs are not recommended.)

　

Run a test, not only on a system, but with your family or others who have access. That way you're all on the same page. You can co-ordinate this with your monitoring company. I'll let you in on a secret. It's ok to prepare a test false alarm, just to get familiar with how everything works. In other words set the alarm, then open a door but don't deactivate the alarm. Let it run all the way to the siren and let it blow for about 30 seconds. It's important to be prepared for this. So don't forget your password, because the alarm company will be on the phone shortly and you will need to cancel the alarm when they ask you for it. The purpose of this drill is to make sure you know you will have a call back. If you have a standard alarm system installed you should expect to hear your phone ringing within 2-3 minutes. Any longer, or not at all and you may have a problem to work out with the company. Newer smart-automation systems should take less than a minute for response. After the cancellation, you can let them know that you were running a test. You won't get in trouble. You are the customer and you've paid for that call.

　

However your method, it's imperative to be prepared and on your game. The very times of life and death circumstances are not ideal to educate yourself on what to do next.

　

http://bit.ly/1eORnlB

　

#RIP2016 #HappyNewYear2017 #Texas

Holiday Security Vlog

It's the Christmas shopping season. Here's some important suggestions for keeping your holiday doorstep drop-offs secure this holiday season! Click to watch the video.

Remember this is an interactive site. Whatever you contribute in comments will be greatly appreciated!

What Are You Willing To Give?

Thomas Edison said, “I have not failed. I’ve found 10,000 ways that didn’t work.”

When you’re part of any experience for a generation, you should be able to call yourself not just an ‘expert’ but a ‘solution finder’. I find myself daily in that position not by designing the right security system, but by overcoming the objections of potential clients that use the logic of the need to spend $30, $40, $50 or more per month for preparedness.

I know financial planners that have said that more people plan every year on a week’s vacation than they do their own financial futures. The same can be said for a lot of folks that I talk to that cannot make a decision on the first step to adding a layer of security awareness to their homes. Here are some of the objections that are fired at me, and what I will answer back (either verbally or in my head).

I’m not making a decision today.                                                                                                        

Yes you are, you just made a decision not to make a decision.

(There’s multiple reactions to this one.) I have a gun.                                                                      

Tell me how that works without you being here to pull the trigger?                                             

Forget everything else in the house. There’s a gun to steal here!

(And this one.) I have a dog.                                                                                                                  

A dog that can be shot. Probably by the gun stolen at your neighbor’s house.                                

How much does that cost you a month?

(As well as.) I’m not signing a 3 year contract.                                                                                 

Did you tell your mortgage company that you weren’t signing a 30 year mortgage?                       

How about that 3 or 5 year car note?

I live in a safe neighborhood, so I don’t feel threatened.                                                                    

So then there’s no reason to lock your doors?

I have nothing to steal.                                                                                                                        

Not every break in is by a thief.

Logic dictates what seems rational at the moment. Most objections have a root that leads directly to one certain factor. Money, or the lack thereof. Believe me, I can relate. So if that’s a concern, please be as honest with me as I’m trying to be with you and we’ll come together with a solution. Money can be found in a lot of ways. Especially when you’re talking about monitoring rates that cost $1-$2 a day. The last I checked, at today’s prices that’s a gallon of gasoline. Or roughly a half-cup of espresso. And I always have a promotion (click here) to help you out.

The solution here is finding the rationale of placing priorities in their rightful places. On more than one occasion I’ve literally sat in empty homes of new homeowners. No furniture, and no food in the fridge but with the cable tv installer working on the fourth outlet. Our GoHawk Smart-Automation packages work on the guarantee that you, at any given moment, have access to it with the smartphone in your hand now, instead of the rare occasion that your gun is. We have panic alert overrides, we can react to fire and flood. Not just break-ins.  And of course, there’s video. And who wouldn’t want to check in for a peak every now and then or have a video record of a criminal event or liability action?

We all have objections, especially to certain changes to the norm. But sincerely I ask. What are you willing to give up today to buy minutes that could save your family’s life?

We Would Like To Help Some Important Neighbors

We thought about this for quite awhile. School bells are ringing and many educators are back in full swing. First responders are always on-call and we just couldn't thank you enough for all you do. It may seem hard for so believe, but you do lead normal All-American lives and have families to provide for and love on. So to help protect the homes you leave behind daily, it just seemed right to rollout this latest Hawk Home Protection Promotion!

Hawk Protects Our Military

Here's a one-of-a-kind promotion! We would like to extend our thanks and protection to the homes of our active military, veterans and first responders who protect ours!

Holiday Pet Safety

It's simple to overlook, but our pets can be in a world of hurt for a myriad of reasons this season. This is a very interesting set of tips I found in my email this morning. Thanks Lisa H.!

 

Check out the Hawk Security Holiday Special!