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Ken
    This type of marketing does a disservice to our industry   We have enough problems with liability , customers, national's that can squash us anytime they have the urge, and in general running a 24/7 business.
    It is obvious their marketing plan is to do this to every contract central station one at a time.  I think as an industry we should not take advantage of their offer and ask for civility, and stick together and continue doing the great job of preventing crime, and saving lives, which the media rarely gives us credit for.  We have enough municipalities shooting at us on a daily basis.
THANKS
HANK LUKS
CONTROLLOR SECURITY SYSTEMS
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Response
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    The above comment is in response to the advertisement by a central station offering free monitoring services if you're currently being monitored by a specific central station.  So far at least 3 separate central stations have been targeted.  How successful the ads are [for the advertiser] is unknown.  What experience an alarm dealer can expect if it switches monitoring companies is also unknown.  
    Attacking a competitor isn't all that uncommon.  We've seen the TV ads comparing soda, paper towels, cell phone service, cars, etc [not lawyers, yet].  There's nothing wrong with competition and generally it's the public who derives the benefit of lower prices and better service [ideally].  The ads referred to above are to alarm dealers, not the public.  
    I suspect that every business owner's first reaction to this type of ad is that it's not fair, then perhaps relief that you're not today's target, and maybe intrigue, should you take advantage of the free offer.  There is something to say about loyalty and long term relations.  There is also something to say about saving significant expense which may tip the color of the bottom line from red to black.  My opinion, and that's all it is, is that changing your business to an advertiser like this works once, maybe twice.  After than you'll be labeled as someone who will jump ship for the lowest price, and I think you'll have difficulty making deals in the future.  Those you do business with will know that you're there for price and will be gone the moment the price isn't right.  The best deals and best prices should be available to long standing customers, not transients.  

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