November 12, 2010
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re cut rate and cut throat monitoring competition from November 1, 2010 article
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Ken
Not much can be done without knowing the name (or the DBA name) of the central station. Let everyone know who they are, so dealers can withdraw all accounts and hopefully put them out of business. While it may not be illegal what they do, saying nobody should pay $30 for monitoring is stab in the back. Portion of those $30 kept them in business all these years and dealers finding customers, selling, installing and servicing systems, invoicing the number of accounts, collecting money and paying the central station have to get paid for their work.
Dusan
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Re: repossessing equipment from October 28, 2010 article
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Ken -
I spent 4 1/2 years working for a collections firm here in oklahoma. this guy would not have a real problem here - some delay in legal processing maybe, but no problem collecting his money and expenses to do so.
He really needs to follow up with his attorney (as you suggested) and get small claims (depending on limits) action filed. i could give him some real pointers about collections if he so desired.
Thanks for sharing. these emails are informative - some like this one, somewhat curious.
regards,
jeff cobian
alliance security services
Smith & Wesson dealer # 7111
Tulsa, OK
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re Regarding Processing Fees on Credit Card payments
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Hi Ken,
I remember reading from one of your emails recently that it was illegal to charge any type of processing fees when using a credit card. I have a central station that informed me recently that they charge an "Administration Fee" of 3% for using a credit card to make a payment. I was wondering if this was a loop hole or if you could give me a law or article that I could direct them to, so that they know that this is not legal to do. Thank you for your time....
Jim S.
A & A Security, MA
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Ken
I wonder how the State Of Connecticut charges a % fee then when you pay by credit card. I have paid Sales Tax and other fees/taxes by credit card and there is a % (3% i believe) fee added.
Carolyn - CT
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Ken
I was wondering if you could explain a little more on is subject. Is it any third party handling money to an account charging a convince fee as stated in the receipt.
G. Lawrence
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Response:
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The additional charges imposed by merchants is not necessarily illegal, but may violate the terms of that merchant's contract with its credit card provider; it's merchant account contract. Reporting the merchant violating the merchant agreement can have severe consequences, including fines and termination of ability to process credit cards. Where you see municipalities imposing administrative charges on top of fees or taxes the municipality permits you to pay by credit card, those municipalities have made other deals with the merchant account companies that permit those charges.