July 26, 2011
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comments on credit cards
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Ken
I find it kind of interesting that the banks can charge a fee to us, but it’s illegal for us to charge a fee. I wonder who writes these laws?
I offer my customers a discount to pay once a year prior to the renewal date of the monitoring. This keeps the paperwork down, offers them a deal and incentive to pay on time, and only creates one bank transaction fee a year.
Stephen
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Ken
Credit card get over the charges its part of doing business. With credit it is your cash up front. You cant offer cash discounts that will bit you sooner or later.
Jeff Kornbau
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If I could bill customer's credit card instead of mailing invoices and following up on payments, I think, I would pay the $2 "my convenience fee" without complaining.
Dusan
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sale v lease question
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Ken,
We currently use your All in One Contract, Disclaimer, and Video Monitoring Contracts. We have a commercial client that wants us to lease them the equipment. All equipment installed will remain our property and we will service it and monitor it. Will our current contracts work or do we need something else.
Thanks,
Victor Gurel
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Answer
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The typical business model is sell to residential and lease to commercial subscribers. The All in One is for a sale. For a commercial lease you use the Lease.
For fire, use the Fire All in One, which comes in two forms, either as a Sales contract or a Lease. Fire alarm systems are often sold rather than leased.
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Question - Government won't sign contract - now what
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Ken
Thanks so much for this wonderful source of quality advice.
We have a major school district and a local township that both refuse to sign your Standard Monitoring Contract. Any advice on how we should respond to that?
Is it possible that government entities are immune from lawsuits such that they and us are protected from an injured person coming after them for damages such that I should not worry about trying to limit our liability?
Thanks,
Dave S.
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Answer:
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Yes you need to worry because it could be the government entity that sues you, or the school district, or their insurance carriers. You give up the right to "contract away liability for your own negligence" at your own peril. If the job is profitable and you can't walk from it, then make sure your insurance coverage is in place and sufficient and cross your fingers.