Cops Central Station

Bob,

I have all of my accounts with them for about 12-13 years now. I have worked with a number of central stations since I do sub-contract work for others from time to time. I would give them a grade of A+. Not to say that they have not made a mistake or two over the years(no body is perfect) but when they do I get a firm apology and an assurance that they will correct the problem. Very friendly and VERY Professional not to mention consistent.

I have been 'requested' to change to other CS but my pat answer is "If I am already happy there is not much you can offer to make me want to switch."

I know that they just bought/merged/acquired a central station in Florida.

The above is just my opinion. I am sure others may tell a different story.

Hope this helps with your decision making process.

Les

Les,

Thank you for the feed back. Like you, I have been with my central since

1988 and your right, when happy why change. The CS that COPs acquired is the central I have been with for all those years. I met with the upper management, that was here for the acquisition, and they seemed, on first impressions anyway, to be a very sincere group. There were no high flying egos and more importantly to me, no BS lines that are easily read through. They definiately don't want me leaving with the amount of accounts I have and I don't want to change if I don't have to. It is funny that since the news hit the streets the amount of calls I have had from other centrals. If I am going into the unknown anyway, I don't want to complicate things further by swithching my entire data base to someone else which would also be an unknown. Can't blame them for trying I guess. It is good to hear from someone that has a history with them. Thanks for the info.

Bob,

It would be initial guess that your CS will stay the same for some time until the transition changes over. If after that transition gives the same service as I get in NJ the simplest thing I can say is that you will not be disappointed. I understand the unknown issue that you are concerned about. Just remember that you can always move later, but give them a chance.

Les

Done deal! I will always give someone that is well established the benefit of the doubt. Still needed to inquire though as I am sure you can understand. Thanks again for the input! Have a wonderful holiday and stay safe.

Bob,

Your welcome. Quite understandable. I would do the same.

Enjoy the holiday as well.

Les

Have you read their contract?

Bob Worthy wrote:

Nope. Post the link! When's your ISP gonna "fix" that problem??

I don't have the link right now. A buddy of mine was gonna use them a while back and asked me to review the contract they asked him to sign. I hve a copy of it somewhere but no time now to find it...gotta go do a low battery this morning. No way would "I" sign it.

They are assuming the contract I already have in place, which is my contract. That went through my attorney, my insurance company, and the previous central stations attorney and insurance company before it was agreed to. I am sure that when things settle down they may come back with things they want to discuss and I will have to cross that bridge if it comes.

Assuming your contract? Do you mean you are selling accounts to them?

Bob Worthy wrote:

I think that the central station he uses has been aquired by Cops

Doug L

ah. I'd still encourage him to read their contract carefully. I was uncomfortable with it.

Doug L wrote:

Which contract are you referring to? One that they want my customer to sign or is it one that is between them and me? I meet with their VP and there was no mention of a contract. I spent the better part of 3 hours talking soup to nuts with nothing said. Thanks for the heads up though. No telling what might come out of the woodwork.

The one between you and them. I'd never let my customers sign a contract directly with the third party (the CS). They (the CS) should be invisible to your client (unless you're selling your contracts to them) and CS should review your third party indemnification clause or contract with your client and be happy with that. I've never ever had a CS ask me to get MY clients to sign THEIR (CS) contract...this alone would scare me.

Yes...ask to see the contract they (CS) will want you to sign with them. This much is pretty standard...except read their's carefully.

Bob Worthy wrote:

I just emailed my buddy to see if he still has a copy. He was gonna hook up with them a year or so ago...till we reviewed the contract.

Bob Worthy wrote:

Years ago that is what some of the CS wanted. It was a generic (file in the names to protect the innocent) type contract but it was their legaleezzzz to protect them. All of these start up's, which would come to them for third party, may not have had proper contracts. I guess they, the CS, thought it was best to require one that protected them, so they furnished it. I had my own, they reviewed it and it was accepted.

They (the CS) should

Yep

When the guys whole business is on the dash board of his truck, I might want his customers signing something that protects me, and in the long run, him too. Lets not forget that some of these business plans where drawn up on a bar napkin.

That hasn't come up yet but when it does, I'll make sure to clean my specs.

8o)

That would be a help, thanks.