Poll: How Do You Feel About the Door-to-Door Summer Sales Model?

A young man who just graduated from college moved to our area and bought a home. He wouldn't even consider having the national "summer sales force" company he had worked with for two summers install his system. When he chose our company, we had an opportunity to talk about his experiences. The high-pressure tactics, misrepresentations, lies and total lack of professionalism turned my stomach. This company may claim they don't support such tactics but they do. Talk to those who have worked there. They will tell you EVERYONE knows what's going on and doesn't give a damn.

Ohio
August 20, 2010

I think its a great way to get people in need of a security system secured.

twatts
August 20, 2010

Asking what people think of door to door alarm sales on a website associated with companies who sell alarms (one way or the other) is like putting a gun company on trial and finding the jurors at an NRA convention. All of the feedback will be biased and reflect self interest of the person or company posting. The votes and comments will not reveal anything about the way American homeowners feel about door to door reps.

Carol
August 20, 2010

Door-to-door sales are one of the plagues of the earth. It's a shame that alarm companies have resorted to such methodology. Some would surely argue there's no other logistical way to "distribute the product" but the ends don't justify unethical means. My experience in dealing with sales reps has included too many instances of false represenation, blatant lies and intentional ommission of information for me to feel otherwise.

Cameron
August 20, 2010

I've worked in this industry for 4 years, and i've seen the good and bad sides of reps, companies, and sales. In the region of the company i work for, (around 250 salesmen) we are all encouraged to be personally responsible for every account we sell. My phone number never changes and it has been given to every customer i've sold in the last 3 years. my email address, full name and employee # as well. When you feel good about the business you do and accept ownership of it, your performance increases. The average size of system me and the people underneath me install is around 10 pts. thats larger with better coverage than ADT or other big name companies will give out. Do i use pressure? yes. Do i scam people? no. Everyone has an interest in Security for their home. My job is to give them enough information and build enough rapport that the customer can trust me with their home safety needs and make a decision. The people i sell have 10 business days as a Right of Recision (canada) and only 5% of my 700 sales in the last 3 years have exercised that right. the People who have taken the system over that period of time still have my contact information and call me with any trouble they have. now you just tell me whats wrong with the business i'm doing.

Jon
August 20, 2010

Door to do is a more effective way to communicate and express ideas. I think i is worth it, if people don't want to listen then they can just say no.

Richard Gould
August 20, 2010

The door to door summer sales model allowed me to work hard in the summer so that I could focus more on school in the fall and winter. Summer sales was a great opportunity for me and I can't be more grateful for it. While there are some reps who are "pushy" and might misrepresent themselves, there were a lot more that were good quality guys earning a honest living.

Brett
August 23, 2010

I am not on the sales side but on the technical/installation side of the industry. I install systems and train installers for a national company. For the majority of customers I would say intially the seem overwhelmed but when I visit their homes to do inspections without exception they are pleased with their decision and are thankful for the the young man that "nudged" them into it. Of course the company that I work for has a great Sales force comprised of honest, hardworking people and the installers are at the pinnacle of the industry!

Steve
August 23, 2010

there is nothing wrong with dooor to door sales. In fact it saves people time and money to have the service brought right to your door for you. I think it is sad when some group of people try to force their oppionion on thers and take away their agency. This is a free country and people have a right to make a living , as long as it is honest and up front. APX alarm pides sthemselves one those things.

Radawn Brown
August 23, 2010

everyone does care, noone is forced to do anything, being honest is expected or you cannot work for the company. this company is so great. who ever wrote this negitive stuff has no clue what they are talking about......

Jason Brown
August 23, 2010

These companies provide a great opportunity for people to learn real skills for the rest of their lives. Security is an industry that requires everyone to adapt and change or become forgotten. Most of the companies that dislike the summer sales type companies are the one being left behind because they can't or won't adapt. Most companies haven't offered anything new to the end consumer in 15 years, but now are being forced to come up with new ideas and products to win or retain the customer's they haven't given a second thought to since they signed them up.

Andrew
August 23, 2010

I view the door-to-door sales model as a very effective business strategy that gets more face-time with more customers. They get all their questions answered at one time and have the chance to put a face with the company name. I have worked in this model for the past six years and have been able to see great success though hard work. It is an ever changing industry and it is up to each sales rep to protect his good name and the name of the company he represents by being honest and trusting as you spend that face-time with the customers and in answering their questions.

Devin
August 23, 2010

I think that the owners and regionals do not care about any of the sales force. There is no security for the reps and we are in the security industry. How rediculous is that? Door to door for security is one of the only ways to do this business. Its proven, but the problem is there are to many door to door out there with felonies and bad records. You should have a clean record. Its crap that even some owners have felonies. And these so called citizens of the United States should be sent to the worst places of the world so we can prevail at door to door. Think about it. The only reason door to door is sketchy is because of the sketchy sales reps. So what congress should do is pass a law that if you do not have a clean record, you can not knock a door. If you are caught knocking a door with a bad record, you could serve up to 2 years in prison. Shame on monitronics for pitching the perfect plan and then going up for sale. Shame on SAI for not being able to stay in business. Shame on broadview for selling out. Shame on the UTAH sales reps for putting to many people that couldnt handle the $50 payment in a 60 month contract for an extra $40???? give me a break. And it is Obama's fault btw for the new home purchase decreasing percentage. Obama is like an alarm salesmen. He went to the ghetto, sold the african american's on a new hope, but the truth is he is not african american. Now the ghetto wants to excercise there right of recession, but the cant, there stuck in a year contract! haha.

Michael Vargo aka the closer
August 26, 2010

I think door to door sales are wonderful. I like having the product brought to me, instead of me having to go find it. I have a pretty hectic schedule and the thought of having to research and find all the alarm companies makes me crazy! I love having them knock on my door and being able to talk to them face-to-face about what I want. I think it makes it more of a personal experience! =)

JLittle
August 26, 2010

For the last 5 years I have been in door-to-door sales. All of which have been summer programs. I currently work for Pinnacle Security and have worked for them for almost three years now. In my career I have meet some awesome people and also have met some people that were not so happy to see me. In my opinion the summer sales program is an awesome way for the employee to make some money to get through life and it's an excellent way for the consumer to get an alarm. If we're going to them then we more than likely will have a better deal than most of our competitors. I believe the door-to-door alarm industry gets a bad rap from the "bad apples in the barrel." In all honesty Pinnacle Security and most alarm companies are no scam, we're not out to get the consumer, we're just helping protect homes and making a living for ourselves at the same time.

Cole Everitt
September 15, 2010