November 17, 2010
*************
***********
checking credit scores
********
Ken –
Interesting topic, and thanks for introducing it. As both a long-time operator and former industry consultant, I have seen credit scores increase in importance, as the credit “floor” had increased over the years. However, it is a misconception that the only people interested in credit scores are the operators and their funding sources who are involved in discounted systems. Account retention is one of the most important measures of alarm company success, and any metric that can help a company predict (and forestall) attrition is valuable, even when the equipment is not discounted. To many account purchasers, an account portfolio gains in value if there is a credit score recorded for every account, for just that reason. Yes, a credit score is more important (and is often required by lenders and/or investors) for mass-marketed, discounted accounts – but that is not the only reason to do it.
Peter
***********
lead paint
**********
Ken
Let's be honest about "laws" and "protecting our kids and grandkids". If the government was so concerned about the future, instead of sucking money out of our pockets, they would make every person aware of potential danger in form of advertising, fliers, brochures, etc. Landlords should be required to post these fliers in buildings to notify tenants - just like employers are required to post minimum wage posters. Tenants with kids would then have choice moving to safe building and landlords would have to compete by improving buildings to prevent vacancy. Don't try to shift responsibility on the guy who makes $100 installing alarm keypad. Have you ever seen real construction - building renovation jobsite? Dust flying 2 blocks away, covering streets with white powder? Hmmm. Where is the HEPA vacuum there?
Where was the "concerned" government when New Orleans was flooded, or when banks foreclosed homes of our "kids and grandkids". This was preventable - if the government really cared about anything other than extorting money from law obeying working American people. So, let's not talk about protection from government. The government is our biggest enemy. They kill small businesses, kill our economy - and our future.
Remember - nobody runs for office for the paycheck. Politicians do it for personal gain. Government officials never follow any laws - they actually break the laws - because they can. And speaking about violations - government buildings are an example - a museum of violations.
There! If you believed in our government, I just woke you up and ruined your dreams.
Dusan