Robert L. Bass said:
The manufacturer's warranty almost invariably requires that the product be
returned via the dealer who sold it. That is true whether the part was sold
online, in person or professionally installed.
When you purchase a part "online", and you DIY, you risk not being able to
return that part under warranty because it wasn't installed by the servicing
dealer. Most alarm equipment wholesalers sell only to alarm companies.
What the DIYer misses out on are the benefits a bona-fide dealer enjoys
through the wholesaler (like manufacturer sponsored training seminars in
which we get the opportunity to work with the equipment and learn about all
the features and benefits, programming, firm-ware updates, etc.). Robert
would have you believe that it's possible to gain the installation expertise
of a journeyman technician "in about an hour over the phone". This is utter
nonsense. The risk of terminating something incorrectly and possible
destroying a common control board is something every *installer* assumes.
The manufacturer's warranty doesn't cover such a loss and when it's caused
through the mistake of professional installer, the servicing dealer will
bear the cost, not the end-user. If you release the carefully packaged blue
smoke supplied with any component you purchase online, you won't be able to
return it for warranty replacement, but will have to fork over the
additional cost to purchase another. When you DIY you assume the risk
inherent in educating yourself.
Robert Bass will have you believe that you won't make a mistake under his
"careful tutelage" and "expert guidance". Ask to verify his "experience" as
a professional installer. Have him provide his license details, names of
clients for whom he's actually installed (and serviced) alarm systems, etc.
"Due diligence" applies.
I don't know about others' online stores, but every alarm component I sell
is covered under the full manufacturer's warranty. In addition, we offer a
30-day satisfaction guaranty. I've been selling to DIYers for over 25 years
and selling online for seven years. In all of that time I have never once
had a manufacturer refuse warranty service on anything I've sold.
Robert Bass' warranty isn't as simple as he states.
"30-Day Money Back Guaranty
Bass Home Electronics dba BassBurglarAlarms.com provides a 30-day, no
questions asked, money back guaranty on all products and services purchased,
except special order items, wire and cable. If for any reason you are not
satisfied with your purchase, simply notify us by e-mail or phone and we
will immediately issue a Return Material Authorization number.
DO NOT SHIP any merchandise directly to our Sarasota office. Returns must be
shipped to the supplier's return processing center. Merchandise shipped to
our address will incur additional shipping and handling charges which will
reduce the amount of your refund.
Please note:
Used merchandise which has been installed, connected to power, programmed or
modified in any way is not returnable for credit. If any product fails to
perform according to the manufacturer's specifications, you may return it
for warranty service. Used merchandise can not be returned for credit or
refund.
What you must do:
a.. Return the merchandise to us within 30 days of your original receipt
of the order.
b.. The products must be returned in new, resalable condition.
c.. You must include all packaging materials.
d.. Packaging materials must not be torn or damaged.
e.. All manuals and warranty registration cards must be unmarked.
f.. You must pay any return shipping expense.
Upon receipt of the returned merchandise in good order in accordance with
the above and within 45 days of original delivery, we will issue full credit
to your charge account. You may elect to receive store credit towards
another purchase or a refund.
Special Orders: Special Order products are usually shipped directly from the
manufacturer. Most special orders are shipped within 1 to 2 weeks. Special
orders are not returnable. If a special order product is defective or fails
in service, we will honor the manufacturer's warranty and expedite service
in accordance with that warranty. We will always do our best to provide
prompt, courteous customer service -- during and after the expiration of the
warranty.
Warrantees: Bass Burglar Alarms honors all manufacturers warrantees. Each of
the lines we carry is covered under a separate manufacturer's warranty. The
terms and conditions vary from company to company. You should therefor read
the warranty information which we have displayed on our site. The warrantees
are, to the best of our knowledge, true and accurate copies of the
warrantees published by the manufacturers. Bass Burglar Alarms cannot assume
responsibility or liability for any typographical errors. Bass Burglar
Alarms does not provide any additional warranty for any product sold other
than to assist you in obtaining the benefit of the manufacturer's warranty.
Non-Returnable Items:
We can not accept returns of wire and cable unless the wrong cable was
shipped due to our error. Please be certain before ordering that you have
selected the right wire for your project.
We can not accept returns of Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) equipment of any kind
except for repairs or unless the wrong item was shipped due to our error.
Commercial Fire Alarm systems are special order and are non-returnable."
There is no return policy on anything to do with wire and cable, CCTV
products (the words "of any kind" would by default include DVR's, VCR's,
cameras, housings,etc.), and commercial fire alarm systems (this probably
extends to smoke detectors, heat detectors, and any other component that
could form a complete "system"). If you're unhappy with a detectors'
performance, you won't be able to return it once you've installed/mounted
it. Robert considers that a "used" item.
You also assume the responsibililty of returning the product to its place of
origin (the wholesaler) including charges for shipping, handling and
insurance. These won't be refunded. If the supplier refuses its' return
(and there's no guarantee they won't) you're "SOL".
As with anything you purchase online, Mr. Worthy's disclaimer is definitely
something you should note. You can also read the information on this page:
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/buyingonline.htm
If the alarm is in Florida and the service provider (sales and/or monitoring
facility) is also in Florida, that is true. If not, there is no Florida
license required. For example, Alarm Central is in Massachusetts. They can
monitor alarms in Florida without a Florida license. I'm in Florida and
many of my clients are outside the state of Florida. I can sell monitoring
service to them because they are not in the state of Florida.
I think Robert's finally gone over the edge... "The cheese has fallen off
his cracker"...
The gentleman in the present thread is located in Florida. If he wants
monitoring I would refer him to someone with a Florida license or to an
online dealer located outside the state of Florida. If he wanted
installation service I'd refer him to you. :^)
Not Jim Rojas??
If the central station AND the dealer are outside of Florida They Do Not
Need A Florida License. Absolutely True.
Absolutely False.
Good point. If the gentleman is looking for *service* he's more likely to
get it from a small, local dealer than from a national. That's not an
absolute, of course. There's one company in Bradenton I wouldn't allow to
monitor a dog house. There are some local offices of national dealers that
do good work.
Heh... There's one online store in Sarasota I would never do business with
either.
That depends on the area. Many dealers, large and small, absolutely refuse
to work with a client who wants to service his own system.
This "gem" comes from an individual that isn't licensed, doesn't have
insurance, and isn't bonded.
Some will sell
the system and then change the code to lock the end user out of his own
system -- even one which he purchased elsewhere.
"Most" will actually do this. There isn't an E&O insurance carrier I know
of that wouldn't have "kittens" if they found out their clients' customers
can alter the system parameters to possibly prevent the alarm from
functioning and notifying the central station. As Robert doesn't carry
liability insurance, this isn't of any concern to him. He uses this fact to
support his own unique DIY mantra. If you're going to purchase "online",
then I'd suggest you contact one of several professional *dealers* that
offer this service. They're listed here:
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com/dealers.htm
Frank Olson
http://www.yoursecuritysource.com