Re: car alarms?

[John Durbin]

Uh-huh ... yeah, our stuff is over-priced AND is giving it up in those
three key metrics to the brands you mentioned. No wonder our sales of
aftermarket security and remote start keep growing year over year,
people just like being taken advantage of that way.

The truth us we routinely rank at the top of the charts in surveys for
reliability of product, and product and dealer support. While I've never
seen any survey results that specifically target remote control
cosmetics or durability, the first of those is purely subjective of
course and the second is covered by the overall reliability question,
where we rank top of the chart. And while we are certainly not the
cheapest, we do rate very high for value - which is based on many things
in addition to cost, including lifetime warranty which we've offered on
our premium brands for many years.

I'm not here to hype us though. The truth is, if you're shopping for an
alarm system to have installed for you, start by finding the right
dealer. Look at their competence in the areas of system design and
installation, the strength of their reputation for after the sale
service, etc. Once you find the right dealer, let them guide the alarm
brand selection. Most quality security dealers will also handle quality
products, they'll have learned over time what does and doesn't work, who
does and doesn't support their dealers and products.

If you're looking for product for DIY, first know that your own ability
to get the system in the car properly is probably more significant than
the differences in features and reliability etc. for different brands.
And frankly, other than the packaged DIY stuff we started selling last
year, we're not a company that supports DIY all that much, since we know
the quality of installed security products is usually not as good as it
would have been when professionally installed. Some of the other brands
David mentioned may be more geared for DIY in that respect. With us
holding close to half of the market share for aftermarket security,
they've had to look at othre segments for business.

JD
the audio guy from DEI

David wrote:

>I think the most important features are:
>
>1) Reliability
>2) Product support/warrany
>3) Attractive, sturdy remote
>
>After these requirements are met, I'd then consider programmable features
>and expandability.
>
>I have sold and installed MANY different brands of security products. I
>think that Alpine makes the nicest units (I don't even sell Alpine!)...
>
>There are some really good, resaonably priced units available from Omega
>Research, Crimestopper & Micro Alarm. Some models are far nicer than most of
>DEI brands/models (Viper, Python, Wasp, blah, blah...) and cost much less.
>They also include free lifetime warranties if installed by an authorized
>dealer.
>
>Recommended models:
>
>Omega Research: OmegaMAX w/ECHO upgrade (Customizable LCD remote!)
>Crimestopper: CS-2015FM2 (Dot matrix LCD remote!)
>Micro Alarm: Micro 8008 (3 ext outputs!)
>
>You can browse their products at:
>
>Omega Research: www.caralarm.com
>Crimestopper: www.crimestopper.com
>Micro Alarm: www.microalarm.com
>
>Hope this info helps...
>
>David
>www.SoundworksCarAudio.com
>
>
>
>"SmilingSinner" > wrote in message
>news:_RzZa.15538$ih.2595@lakeread02...
>
>
>>What companies make the best car alarms and what features would one want
>>
>>
>to
>
>
>>consider before purchase?
>>Thanx
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

[David]

TO DEI GUY:

With all due respect, your sales keep growing due to your marketing
expenditures and market saturation... How many 'brands' of alarms does DEI
market? Let's see, there's Viper, Rattler, Python, Sidewinder, Hornet, Wasp,
Avital, Clifford, Valet. Have I missed any? These ARE brands, aren't they?
Not just different models inside a brand, right? That's more brands that
General Motors! Market share & sales are a given.

You rank at the top for durability of product. Who else is on the list?! Is
there anyone else out there to submit product? I have had VERY few returns
of the brands I mentioned, AND have great dealer support from my
non-multi-billion-dollar-per-year-allocated-for-advertising-and-POP brands.

The brands I mentioned also include lifetime warranties and Omega Research
also provides a FREE vehicle theft guarantee to the customer. They all
provide nation-wide toll-free and internet support. (Not that you don't)

Overpriced? Sure. What is the average cost to put a DEI alarm into a
dealer's shop? Probably fairly high, due to the marketing, etc. But, the
manufacturing costs are REALLY low aren't they? I'll bet that DEI spends
less than $10.00 per unit to have one made. How many do you sell per year?
Per hour? To replenish those sold unit, ensure a supply of warranty product,
and to grow you MUST have to produce them at a better rate than you sell
them... So, how quickly and cheaply does DEI produce an alarm?

How about the patent issues?! If DEI wants a feature in it's products that
another company (Clifford or Avital, for example) has patented, their
lawyers will examine the competitor VERY closely to try to find an
infringement on one of DEI's patents. Then the competitor can either go
bankrupt fighting DEI for frivolous claims or 'join the Dark Side'... How
much technology and research hours has DEI stolen from competitors in this
way? The word is assimilation.

I don't believe that DIY was mentioned. Many of the readers in this group
are DIY'ers, which I try to help as often as I can - for free. I also
specifically mentioned that the lifetime warranties were contingent on the
product being installed by an authorized dealer. However, most of their
products can be customer-installed with great results. None of the brands
require special dealer-only tools (Bit Writer) or knowledge to install.
Anyone can get vehicle- and product-specific wiring info from the
Internet... even for DEI products. There are several brands that are aimed
toward DIY sale and installation. These brands have the lowest 'reliability
ratings' due to DIY attempts that result in the product being returned. And
no, I didn't mention any DIY brands.

TO EVERYONE ELSE:

I'm the owner of a locally-respected mobile electronics shop. I'm in this
business because I like it, not because I'm trying to become a millionaire
or anything. I'll always do my best to help a customer make wise decisions,
not necessarily profitable ones. I'm very conscientious about everything I
do... including responding to messages that the one below. My original post
on this topic addressed a request by someone I don't know. I'll help again
when I can...

No, I do not sell any of the snakes, bugs or litigation victims that DEI
markets.

David



"John Durbin" > wrote in message
.. .
Uh-huh ... yeah, our stuff is over-priced AND is giving it up in those three
key metrics to the brands you mentioned. No wonder our sales of aftermarket
security and remote start keep growing year over year, people just like
being taken advantage of that way.

The truth us we routinely rank at the top of the charts in surveys for
reliability of product, and product and dealer support. While I've never
seen any survey results that specifically target remote control cosmetics or
durability, the first of those is purely subjective of course and the second
is covered by the overall reliability question, where we rank top of the
chart. And while we are certainly not the cheapest, we do rate very high for
value - which is based on many things in addition to cost, including
lifetime warranty which we've offered on our premium brands for many years.

I'm not here to hype us though. The truth is, if you're shopping for an
alarm system to have installed for you, start by finding the right dealer.
Look at their competence in the areas of system design and installation, the
strength of their reputation for after the sale service, etc. Once you find
the right dealer, let them guide the alarm brand selection. Most quality
security dealers will also handle quality products, they'll have learned
over time what does and doesn't work, who does and doesn't support their
dealers and products.

If you're looking for product for DIY, first know that your own ability to
get the system in the car properly is probably more significant than the
differences in features and reliability etc. for different brands. And
frankly, other than the packaged DIY stuff we started selling last year,
we're not a company that supports DIY all that much, since we know the
quality of installed security products is usually not as good as it would
have been when professionally installed. Some of the other brands David
mentioned may be more geared for DIY in that respect. With us holding close
to half of the market share for aftermarket security, they've had to look at
othre segments for business.

JD
the audio guy from DEI

David wrote:

I think the most important features are:

1) Reliability
2) Product support/warrany
3) Attractive, sturdy remote

After these requirements are met, I'd then consider programmable features
and expandability.

I have sold and installed MANY different brands of security products. I
think that Alpine makes the nicest units (I don't even sell Alpine!)...

There are some really good, resaonably priced units available from Omega
Research, Crimestopper & Micro Alarm. Some models are far nicer than most of
DEI brands/models (Viper, Python, Wasp, blah, blah...) and cost much less.
They also include free lifetime warranties if installed by an authorized
dealer.

Recommended models:

Omega Research: OmegaMAX w/ECHO upgrade (Customizable LCD remote!)
Crimestopper: CS-2015FM2 (Dot matrix LCD remote!)
Micro Alarm: Micro 8008 (3 ext outputs!)

You can browse their products at:

Omega Research: www.caralarm.com
Crimestopper: www.crimestopper.com
Micro Alarm: www.microalarm.com

Hope this info helps...

David
www.SoundworksCarAudio.com



"SmilingSinner" > wrote in message
news:_RzZa.15538$ih.2595@lakeread02...

What companies make the best car alarms and what features would one want

to

consider before purchase?
Thanx

[Soundfreak03]

>Micro Alarm: Micro 8008 (3 ext outputs!)
>
>You can browse their products at:
>
>Omega Research: www.caralarm.com
>Crimestopper: www.crimestopper.com
>Micro Alarm: www.microalarm.com


I will second the MicroAlarm. They are great alarms and I have always had great
customer service with them.

Les

[Hamilton Audio]

he he he....I knew he would jump in (with feelings hurt!). c'mon john....there is more to security than DEI you know!!

Hamilton Audio
Car Audio, Security and Performance
"John Durbin" > wrote in message .. .
Uh-huh ... yeah, our stuff is over-priced AND is giving it up in those three key metrics to the brands you mentioned. No wonder our sales of aftermarket security and remote start keep growing year over year, people just like being taken advantage of that way.

The truth us we routinely rank at the top of the charts in surveys for reliability of product, and product and dealer support. While I've never seen any survey results that specifically target remote control cosmetics or durability, the first of those is purely subjective of course and the second is covered by the overall reliability question, where we rank top of the chart. And while we are certainly not the cheapest, we do rate very high for value - which is based on many things in addition to cost, including lifetime warranty which we've offered on our premium brands for many years.

I'm not here to hype us though. The truth is, if you're shopping for an alarm system to have installed for you, start by finding the right dealer. Look at their competence in the areas of system design and installation, the strength of their reputation for after the sale service, etc. Once you find the right dealer, let them guide the alarm brand selection. Most quality security dealers will also handle quality products, they'll have learned over time what does and doesn't work, who does and doesn't support their dealers and products.

If you're looking for product for DIY, first know that your own ability to get the system in the car properly is probably more significant than the differences in features and reliability etc. for different brands. And frankly, other than the packaged DIY stuff we started selling last year, we're not a company that supports DIY all that much, since we know the quality of installed security products is usually not as good as it would have been when professionally installed. Some of the other brands David mentioned may be more geared for DIY in that respect. With us holding close to half of the market share for aftermarket security, they've had to look at othre segments for business.

JD
the audio guy from DEI

David wrote:

I think the most important features are:

1) Reliability
2) Product support/warrany
3) Attractive, sturdy remote

After these requirements are met, I'd then consider programmable features
and expandability.

I have sold and installed MANY different brands of security products. I
think that Alpine makes the nicest units (I don't even sell Alpine!)...

There are some really good, resaonably priced units available from Omega
Research, Crimestopper & Micro Alarm. Some models are far nicer than most of
DEI brands/models (Viper, Python, Wasp, blah, blah...) and cost much less.
They also include free lifetime warranties if installed by an authorized
dealer.

Recommended models:

Omega Research: OmegaMAX w/ECHO upgrade (Customizable LCD remote!)
Crimestopper: CS-2015FM2 (Dot matrix LCD remote!)
Micro Alarm: Micro 8008 (3 ext outputs!)

You can browse their products at:

Omega Research: www.caralarm.com
Crimestopper: www.crimestopper.com
Micro Alarm: www.microalarm.com

Hope this info helps...

David
www.SoundworksCarAudio.com



"SmilingSinner" > wrote in message
news:_RzZa.15538$ih.2595@lakeread02...
What companies make the best car alarms and what features would one want
to
consider before purchase?
Thanx

[imcewan]

Did you even read his reply? JD plainly states there is much more to
security than DEI, especially in the DIY area. What I got from his
response was, DEI makes nice stuff, but the installer is the most
important part of that. Not a DEI rant because his feelings were hurt.
Just FYI I dont have a DEI alarm, but I do feel JD is a honest guy,
eh?

"Hamilton Audio" > wrote in message >...
> he he he....I knew he would jump in (with feelings hurt!). c'mon
> john....there is more to security than DEI you know!!
>
> Hamilton Audio
> Car Audio, Security and Performance
> "John Durbin" > wrote in message
> news:kJW ...
> Uh-huh ... yeah, our stuff is over-priced AND is giving it up in those
> three key metrics to the brands you mentioned. No wonder our sales of
> aftermarket security and remote start keep growing year over year,
> people just like being taken advantage of that way.
>
> The truth us we routinely rank at the top of the charts in surveys for
> reliability of product, and product and dealer support. While I've never
> seen any survey results that specifically target remote control
> cosmetics or durability, the first of those is purely subjective of
> course and the second is covered by the overall reliability question,
> where we rank top of the chart. And while we are certainly not the
> cheapest, we do rate very high for value - which is based on many things
> in addition to cost, including lifetime warranty which we've offered on
> our premium brands for many years.
>
> I'm not here to hype us though. The truth is, if you're shopping for
> an alarm system to have installed for you, start by finding the right
> dealer. Look at their competence in the areas of system design and
> installation, the strength of their reputation for after the sale
> service, etc. Once you find the right dealer, let them guide the alarm
> brand selection. Most quality security dealers will also handle quality
> products, they'll have learned over time what does and doesn't work, who
> does and doesn't support their dealers and products.
>
> If you're looking for product for DIY, first know that your own
> ability to get the system in the car properly is probably more
> significant than the differences in features and reliability etc. for
> different brands. And frankly, other than the packaged DIY stuff we
> started selling last year, we're not a company that supports DIY all
> that much, since we know the quality of installed security products is
> usually not as good as it would have been when professionally installed.
> Some of the other brands David mentioned may be more geared for DIY in
> that respect. With us holding close to half of the market share for
> aftermarket security, they've had to look at othre segments for
> business.
>
> JD
> the audio guy from DEI
>
> David wrote:
>
> I think the most important features are:
>
> 1) Reliability
> 2) Product support/warrany
> 3) Attractive, sturdy remote
>
> After these requirements are met, I'd then consider programmable
> features
> and expandability.
>
> I have sold and installed MANY different brands of security products. I
> think that Alpine makes the nicest units (I don't even sell Alpine!)...
>
> There are some really good, resaonably priced units available from Omega
> Research, Crimestopper & Micro Alarm. Some models are far nicer than
> most of
> DEI brands/models (Viper, Python, Wasp, blah, blah...) and cost much
> less.
> They also include free lifetime warranties if installed by an authorized
> dealer.
>
> Recommended models:
>
> Omega Research: OmegaMAX w/ECHO upgrade (Customizable LCD remote!)
> Crimestopper: CS-2015FM2 (Dot matrix LCD remote!)
> Micro Alarm: Micro 8008 (3 ext outputs!)
>
> You can browse their products at:
>
> Omega Research: www.caralarm.com
> Crimestopper: www.crimestopper.com
> Micro Alarm: www.microalarm.com
>
> Hope this info helps...
>
> David
> www.SoundworksCarAudio.com
>
>
>
> "SmilingSinner" > wrote in message
> news: RzZa.15538$ih.2595@lakeread02...
> What companies make the best car alarms and what features would one
> want
> to
> consider before purchase?
> Thanx
>
>
>
>
>
> --

[Dr. Suess]

What about Compustar?

I have a Compustar setup installed in my car and I love it!

Later!

"imcewan" > wrote in message
om...
> Did you even read his reply? JD plainly states there is much more to
> security than DEI, especially in the DIY area. What I got from his
> response was, DEI makes nice stuff, but the installer is the most
> important part of that. Not a DEI rant because his feelings were hurt.
> Just FYI I dont have a DEI alarm, but I do feel JD is a honest guy,
> eh?
>
> "Hamilton Audio" > wrote in message
>...
> > he he he....I knew he would jump in (with feelings hurt!). c'mon
> > john....there is more to security than DEI you know!!
> >
> > Hamilton Audio
> > Car Audio, Security and Performance
> > "John Durbin" > wrote in message
> > news:kJW ...
> > Uh-huh ... yeah, our stuff is over-priced AND is giving it up in those
> > three key metrics to the brands you mentioned. No wonder our sales of
> > aftermarket security and remote start keep growing year over year,
> > people just like being taken advantage of that way.
> >
> > The truth us we routinely rank at the top of the charts in surveys for
> > reliability of product, and product and dealer support. While I've never
> > seen any survey results that specifically target remote control
> > cosmetics or durability, the first of those is purely subjective of
> > course and the second is covered by the overall reliability question,
> > where we rank top of the chart. And while we are certainly not the
> > cheapest, we do rate very high for value - which is based on many things
> > in addition to cost, including lifetime warranty which we've offered on
> > our premium brands for many years.
> >
> > I'm not here to hype us though. The truth is, if you're shopping for
> > an alarm system to have installed for you, start by finding the right
> > dealer. Look at their competence in the areas of system design and
> > installation, the strength of their reputation for after the sale
> > service, etc. Once you find the right dealer, let them guide the alarm
> > brand selection. Most quality security dealers will also handle quality
> > products, they'll have learned over time what does and doesn't work, who
> > does and doesn't support their dealers and products.
> >
> > If you're looking for product for DIY, first know that your own
> > ability to get the system in the car properly is probably more
> > significant than the differences in features and reliability etc. for
> > different brands. And frankly, other than the packaged DIY stuff we
> > started selling last year, we're not a company that supports DIY all
> > that much, since we know the quality of installed security products is
> > usually not as good as it would have been when professionally installed.
> > Some of the other brands David mentioned may be more geared for DIY in
> > that respect. With us holding close to half of the market share for
> > aftermarket security, they've had to look at othre segments for
> > business.
> >
> > JD
> > the audio guy from DEI
> >
> > David wrote:
> >
> > I think the most important features are:
> >
> > 1) Reliability
> > 2) Product support/warrany
> > 3) Attractive, sturdy remote
> >
> > After these requirements are met, I'd then consider programmable
> > features
> > and expandability.
> >
> > I have sold and installed MANY different brands of security products. I
> > think that Alpine makes the nicest units (I don't even sell Alpine!)...
> >
> > There are some really good, resaonably priced units available from Omega
> > Research, Crimestopper & Micro Alarm. Some models are far nicer than
> > most of
> > DEI brands/models (Viper, Python, Wasp, blah, blah...) and cost much
> > less.
> > They also include free lifetime warranties if installed by an authorized
> > dealer.
> >
> > Recommended models:
> >
> > Omega Research: OmegaMAX w/ECHO upgrade (Customizable LCD remote!)
> > Crimestopper: CS-2015FM2 (Dot matrix LCD remote!)
> > Micro Alarm: Micro 8008 (3 ext outputs!)
> >
> > You can browse their products at:
> >
> > Omega Research: www.caralarm.com
> > Crimestopper: www.crimestopper.com
> > Micro Alarm: www.microalarm.com
> >
> > Hope this info helps...
> >
> > David
> > www.SoundworksCarAudio.com
> >
> >
> >
> > "SmilingSinner" > wrote in message
> > news: RzZa.15538$ih.2595@lakeread02...
> > What companies make the best car alarms and what features would one
> > want
> > to
> > consider before purchase?
> > Thanx
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --

[Hamilton Audio]

yeah, we've played with some compustar product as well. very expensive
tho!! seems to have a boatload of features!

Hamilton Audio
Car Audio, Security and Performance

"Dr. Suess" > wrote in message
...
> What about Compustar?
>
> I have a Compustar setup installed in my car and I love it!
>
> Later!
>
> "imcewan" > wrote in message
> om...
> > Did you even read his reply? JD plainly states there is much more to
> > security than DEI, especially in the DIY area. What I got from his
> > response was, DEI makes nice stuff, but the installer is the most
> > important part of that. Not a DEI rant because his feelings were hurt.
> > Just FYI I dont have a DEI alarm, but I do feel JD is a honest guy,
> > eh?
> >
> > "Hamilton Audio" > wrote in message
> >...
> > > he he he....I knew he would jump in (with feelings hurt!). c'mon
> > > john....there is more to security than DEI you know!!
> > >
> > > Hamilton Audio
> > > Car Audio, Security and Performance
> > > "John Durbin" > wrote in message
> > > news:kJW ...
> > > Uh-huh ... yeah, our stuff is over-priced AND is giving it up in
those
> > > three key metrics to the brands you mentioned. No wonder our sales of
> > > aftermarket security and remote start keep growing year over year,
> > > people just like being taken advantage of that way.
> > >
> > > The truth us we routinely rank at the top of the charts in surveys
for
> > > reliability of product, and product and dealer support. While I've
never
> > > seen any survey results that specifically target remote control
> > > cosmetics or durability, the first of those is purely subjective of
> > > course and the second is covered by the overall reliability question,
> > > where we rank top of the chart. And while we are certainly not the
> > > cheapest, we do rate very high for value - which is based on many
things
> > > in addition to cost, including lifetime warranty which we've offered
on
> > > our premium brands for many years.
> > >
> > > I'm not here to hype us though. The truth is, if you're shopping for
> > > an alarm system to have installed for you, start by finding the right
> > > dealer. Look at their competence in the areas of system design and
> > > installation, the strength of their reputation for after the sale
> > > service, etc. Once you find the right dealer, let them guide the alarm
> > > brand selection. Most quality security dealers will also handle
quality
> > > products, they'll have learned over time what does and doesn't work,
who
> > > does and doesn't support their dealers and products.
> > >
> > > If you're looking for product for DIY, first know that your own
> > > ability to get the system in the car properly is probably more
> > > significant than the differences in features and reliability etc. for
> > > different brands. And frankly, other than the packaged DIY stuff we
> > > started selling last year, we're not a company that supports DIY all
> > > that much, since we know the quality of installed security products is
> > > usually not as good as it would have been when professionally
installed.
> > > Some of the other brands David mentioned may be more geared for DIY in
> > > that respect. With us holding close to half of the market share for
> > > aftermarket security, they've had to look at othre segments for
> > > business.
> > >
> > > JD
> > > the audio guy from DEI
> > >
> > > David wrote:
> > >
> > > I think the most important features are:
> > >
> > > 1) Reliability
> > > 2) Product support/warrany
> > > 3) Attractive, sturdy remote
> > >
> > > After these requirements are met, I'd then consider programmable
> > > features
> > > and expandability.
> > >
> > > I have sold and installed MANY different brands of security products.
I
> > > think that Alpine makes the nicest units (I don't even sell
Alpine!)...
> > >
> > > There are some really good, resaonably priced units available from
Omega
> > > Research, Crimestopper & Micro Alarm. Some models are far nicer than
> > > most of
> > > DEI brands/models (Viper, Python, Wasp, blah, blah...) and cost much
> > > less.
> > > They also include free lifetime warranties if installed by an
authorized
> > > dealer.
> > >
> > > Recommended models:
> > >
> > > Omega Research: OmegaMAX w/ECHO upgrade (Customizable LCD remote!)
> > > Crimestopper: CS-2015FM2 (Dot matrix LCD remote!)
> > > Micro Alarm: Micro 8008 (3 ext outputs!)
> > >
> > > You can browse their products at:
> > >
> > > Omega Research: www.caralarm.com
> > > Crimestopper: www.crimestopper.com
> > > Micro Alarm: www.microalarm.com
> > >
> > > Hope this info helps...
> > >
> > > David
> > > www.SoundworksCarAudio.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "SmilingSinner" > wrote in message
> > > news: RzZa.15538$ih.2595@lakeread02...
> > > What companies make the best car alarms and what features would one
> > > want
> > > to
> > > consider before purchase?
> > > Thanx
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
>
>

[David]

Thanks for the clarification, John... I guess I stand corrected.

David


"John Durbin" > wrote in message
.. .
> Our marketing expenditures are actually very modest. We've been able to
> succeed by supplying exceptionally reliable, high-value products that
> dealers and their customers love, without having to "buy" that loyalty
> [through advertising] so to speak. Historically, a lot of that business
> success started with offering as good or better product at much more
> attractive pricing than the market share owners at the time. The fact
> that we've been able to maintain that structure for so many years I
> think speaks to the relative value we deliver both at the dealer and
> consumer level.
>
> Of course, there are other products to choose from, some of them priced
> below ours. And I am sure that they offer their own "return on
> investment" to you as a retailer and to many of your customers. Please
> note that I did not disparage any of those brands or your choosing to
> support them - I only questioned your throwaway comments that disparaged
> OUR brands and products. There's a big difference ...
>
> As to the other details, we originated the vehicle theft guarantee, and
> still offer both our original version - Guaranteed Protection Plan - and
> the Clifford/Avital version (I forget the name and how it differs). We
> were also the first company to make limited lifetime warranty a viable
> program in the car alarm industry, without going out of business in the
> process. Kind of negates the "lifetime" part, if you don't stay around
> long enough to honor your customer's warranty claims :-)
>
> I will also say you are not even close to your estimates of
> manufacturing cost and what it costs us to "put a DEI alarm into a
> dealer's shop". In fact, we pay more for our units than most of our
> competitors, including ALL of the brands you mentioned. We're able to be
> relatively price-competitive due to the efficiencies of our multi-brand
> program and good management, not because we've stripped all the cost out
> of the product. We leave that to the "Screaming Blue Monkey" brands that
> can't compete with us at our level in terms of support, dealer loyalty,
> value etc. We see that every year during remote start season when
> non-dealers start sneaking into our Tech Support lines trying to get
> help with making other people's product work, asking for car wiring
> info, etc. Bottom line is, nobody else in vehicle security makes
> anything close to the commitment or spends close to what we do to
> support our dealers and their customers.
>
> You are equally off-base in the patent comments. We own, through
> internal product development as well as through acquisition, a majority
> of the valuable patents in the vehicle security business. The majority
> came out of our own product develpment and R&D process, and of course we
> picked up a bunch through buying Clifford, ESP (the guys that made the
> Invisibeam), etc. We've NEVER been guilty of frivolous suits to defend
> those patents, quite the opposite. We invalidated some CodeAlarm patents
> when THEY SUED US, which was done solely to try and keep us from
> becoming a qualified supplier to General Motors back a few years. We
> also recently sued a number of companies that had decided to start
> incorporating our patented features in their own products, and virtually
> all of them have since settled because they knew we would prevail and it
> would have cost them a lot more money if they didn't. Perhaps you think
> it's ok for someone to take your patented ideas and go off and make
> money from them without asking you first or compensating you for the
> time and money you spent to develop and perfect and market them. We
> don't, and fortunately the intellectual property laws in our great
> country don't support that either. Let them do it on their own instead
> of trying to make a living off our efforts like parasites.
>
> As for the "stealing" comment, shame on you. That has NEVER happened,
> and never will. Why you feel compelled to attack us in that way is
> beyond me, and I challenge you to provide ANYTHING that supports your
> claim, or quit spouting it. There's plenty of ways to answer people's
> questions here and in your own store without resorting to that kind of
> cheap crap.
>
> JD