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Ken, 

    My free Google page, for my company, got hijacked. The hijacker posted an ADT Authorized Dealer's phone number and ADT pictures on the Google search, listed as Tucson Alarm Company. I attempted to contact Google repeatedly, to no avail. Finally I received a threatening phone call from ADT's attorney demanding I remove it, or face a legal action. I asked the ADT attorney, "Do you really think I would change the phone number from my company's phone number to an ADT Dealer's phone number?" The ADT attorney, at first, failed to understand how stupid this would be, for me to have placed another company's phone number on my company's Google listing. After repeated calls, threatening me, I finally convinced the ADT attorney to contact their Authorized Dealer, who claimed to have nothing to do with it. My account was released and the information was corrected the next day. 

    I find ADT addressing sales scams to be quite hypocritical. ADT accepts no responsibility for installations, or actions by ADT Authorized Dealers. Authorized Dealers sell a product based on the backing of a national company, but the national company refuses any liability for installations, or actions of such authorized dealers. One such authorized dealers left a home with holes drilled in newly purchased doors, multiple holes in dry-wall, where the authorized dealers attempted to drill through a return air duct multiple times. The home owner returned home, saw the damage and called me out to give an estimate and remove the poorly installed system. I informed the client about the 72 hour cancellation and that he was past the time allowed, since he was sold the system a week ago. I suggested he call ADT and explain what took place. ADT advised him to contact the Authorized Dealer, they were not responsible for actions of the Authorized Dealer. He then told ADT he wanted to cancel the 3 year monitoring contract. This is where ADT's 200 years of experience rose to the surface. ADT informed him that the monitoring contract was with ADT, the property of ADT, and ADT would pursue fulfillment of the contract. 

    Should ADT be held responsible for the Authorized Dealers ADT sends out to sell and install systems? I would ask if ADT is legally responsible for Authorized Dealers, but ADT has been known to jump over a $100 bill to receive a dine in a law suit. I highly doubt a person receiving a free alarm has the clout to go up against ADT in court. Maybe this is an area of bringing about legislation that would hold the company who allows another company to brand it's name, to be also liable for the negligence of such company?

Roger D. Score (owner)

Tucson Alarm Company

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Response

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    Good point.  How can any dealer program sponsor dictate how its dealer, dresses, what equipment is to be used, where signals are programmed to communicate, and just about everything else the dealer does, and yet claim that its the dealer who has responsibility for any loss, and not the program sponsor?  Answer:  Because it can.  I can't think of any other justification.

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Webinars

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December 4, 2013   12 noon EST  Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4919260455763006721

     Title:  10 Things Residential Security Alarm Companies should consider BEFORE entering the world of Commercial Engineered System Fire Alarms

      Presented by:  Bob Williams, President of Briscoe Protective Systems and his Management Team. 

Briscoe Protective Systems has been in the industry for 35 Years and has made the transition from a Residential Alarm Company in the late 70’s to a Engineered System Fire and Security Company that is an SDM Top 100 Company. Find us on the web at www.BriscoeProtective.com or on LinkedIn under Companies, Facebook and Twitter@BriscoeProSys 

      Description:  There is a big difference between installing Residential Fire Systems and Commercial Engineered Fire Systems and there are “Key Factors” that Security Company’s should consider before attempting to go into this lucrative but challenging market.

      Who should attend:  Alarm company owners and fire techs.  

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