I will admit that it is a good marketing tool. That is why I have considered it so many times. I just can’t get past the fact that I could be setting unrealistic expectations for my client.
Why doesn’t Brinks just offer the service and give the client a direct discount of $15 or the warranty? That in my opinion would take the perception of conflict out of the equation. The minute you have inspectors receiving some form of fee or inducement or other proviso via the home inspection to sell third party wares is in my opinion a definite breach of ethics. Number 4 is my choice.
*Good afternoon, Nick. *
We’re very excited about this new program and pleased to give you some information about American Home Warranty.
*We’re an Ohio corporation and have been in business providing our 90 Day Limited Warranty program exclusively to home inspectors around the country for five years. *
Two years ago we joined with Brink’s Home Security Home Inspection Program to offer the limited warranty program, with its important marketing and cost-containment features/client-service features, to home inspectors at absolutely no cost to them. Inspectors who participate in our joint option program get all of the benefits free AND their customers get the additional peace of mind provided through both the limited warranty protection and the opportunity to take advantage of the terrific cost savings offered by Brink’s on the installation of their state-of the-art security systems. It is literally a win-win-win-win situation.
We currently have almost 800 individual inspectors and inspection companies using either our traditional or our Brink’s option programs in 47 states. Our newest member is in Maui!
*We have hundreds of NACHI inspectors on our rolls, are affiliate members of NACHI, and, interestingly enough, here in the first half of 2006, 80% of all our new inspectors are NACHI members.Many NACHI officers use the program already. For example, newer members include the current Mid-Maryland NACHI Chapter President, Katherine Brede, as a joint program member and the current President of the new Myrtle Beach, SC chapter, Shane Boyd, is as well. *
We are confident that this new alliance with NACHI will more than double our company list before the end of the year and look forward to attending state, regional and national meetings on a regular basis in the coming months.
Let me know if I can add anything for you at this time. Thanks!
Bob Linder
General Manager
American Home Warranty
(513) 553-5450
Fax: (513) 553-2120
Raymond,
Brinks does offer the service to any person purchasing a home. They also offer a number of incentives for those homes without security systems. The program is intended to provide referral leads for Brinks but also provides a valuable service, especially here in Texas. In Texas a person must be licensed to perform a security system inspection, any form of consultation, installation and service.
I use the Brinks service to provide a simple system inspection that I am not licensed to perform. Instead of taking the $15 I opted for providing the warranty to prevent State disclosure requirements. The warranty is not all inclusive but does add some value and protection.
I do agree though that it would be nice for Brinks to take the $15 and give it to a worthy charity in the clients name, if the client opts for it.
Here, we wrote a permission-to-contact clause for you all: http://www.nachi.org/tpsp.htm You can make it a stand-alone permission form or incorporate it into your main inspection agreeement.
I like it Nick
rlb
The clause is the same as the one Brinks insisted I add to my standard agreement (it is required by them so that they can call and not be inviolation of telemarketing restrictions).
It also isn’t special to NACHI - they do it for anyone.
I have used the Brinks referrals and 90 day warranty for my clients and continue to do so - no one seems to have any misconceptions or elevated ideas of coverage.
It goes something like this:
"As an added bonus, we provide a free limited 90 day home warranty at your option. Here’s how it works: I forward your contact information to Brinks - the will inspect any existing systems (or offer a free $50 Target gift card if there is no system) and will install their system for free if you want it. If not, hang up - they go away - and the warranty (and gift cad if applicable) are enacted.
If you choose to get their service, you can discuss options and pricing with them.
Either way, you get a limited warranty that protects you for up to 6 weeks after closing. Of course, there are limitations and restrictions but it does offer some coverage at a key juncture - I have included a copy for you to review at your leisure.
It gets more involved and I usually tell them that sellers are unlikely to file a homeowners claim after the contingency period has passed - especially if they are out of the home and “don’t know” about that new leak.
All in all it has been good and no one has had any issues to date.
Joe M. writes “The clause is the same as the one Brinks insisted I add to my standard agreement (it is required by them so that they can call and not be inviolation of telemarketing restrictions).”
Joe, can you post the Brink’s clause for us to read please?
Nick,
This is from the email they sent me when I signed up with their program. Of course, I have another contract without that line in case they decline.
In an effort to reduce the number of prospect telephone numbers “scrubbed” against the National Do Not Call (DNC) list, we will need all of our inspection partners to incorporate the following one-line sentence in your contract, which will allow us to contact the prospect.
“By signing this agreement, you authorize Brink’s Home Security to call at the phone numbers you have provided, to discuss a special alarm offer.”
In some ways, I like this one because it leaves it open for other offers. However, I think it may be too broad. There is too much room for abuse. The line Brinks insisted on is specific to them and only gives permission for them to call. It’s easier to sell because they are not giving permission for however many companies you feel like giving their name to.
If anyone is interested to know, Their inspectors do not try to sell anything. They come in and check the system and then write a short report which they explain to the client and then they leave. Brinks assured me that they make one low pressure attempt to make a sale. If the customer declines, they stop. This was very important to me. I want my clients to use me again or refer me to their friends and family. If the company harasses them, they will certainly remember who sent them.
Neil, that is good information and similar to other reports I’ve received about Brinks over the years.
We have been working with inspectors with our program for nearly 10 year. The acceptance of the program, after they see it in action, by inspectors, realtors and buyers has been excellent because we treat the customers as professionally as possible.
We introduced the warranty progam a couple of years ago to answer any ethical question from the inspection community. We buy the warranty and give it to the buyer there is no exchange of money or other consideration between Brinks and the inspector.
Bill Gustafson
Senior Manager
Brinks Home Security
bgustafson@Brinks.com
I like the email promoting this as a NACHI benefit. It has been and continues to be available to any home inspector, not just NACHI members. It’s a great idea to pass on this kind of info for HI’s, but it is dishonest to present it as a NACHI benefit.
Just because a benefit is presented in more than one place doesn’t make it less of a benefit. I think your nasty, sour disposition and dislike for anything NACHI has clouded your opinion.
Doug,
My point was, that it should have been presented as an informational email not offered as an exclusive NACHI benefit, which is misleading.
As for your comment on my disposition, if you had any knowledge of me personally, you would know that you couldn’t be further from the truth. You’re free to state your opinion of me, no matter how wrong it is.
In almost all of my posts, when responding on threads critical to something about NACHI (started by, and contributed to, by many others), I have consistently said something I think is good about NACHI with some constructive criticism. I care about making this organization more responsive to members concerns. Less autocratic, more member driven. If I disliked the organization, why would I even care? I believe all voices should be heard, not just the consistent cheerleading that rarely accomplishes change. Posts that offer constructive criticisms may never be acted on, but in a democratic society we all have the right, and the duty to speak out.
James,
Point taken and noted. I apologize to you if Ive misjudged you and your position. You know yourself better than anyone.
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Jerry Salathiel and I am the National Inspections Account Manager for Brinks Home Security. If you have any questions about our great programs for the home inspection industry please feel free to direct them my way. I look forward to working with as many of you as I can.
Jerry Salathiel
National Inspections Account Manager
Brinks Home Security
972-871-3743
Cell: 214-952-1832
Not to mislead anyone it is not Jerry Salathiel Inspections. Profile mishap, I do work for Brinks Home Security.
Brinks Home Security, Inc.
Disclosure Statement
**By signing this agreement you authorize Brink’s Home Security to call you at the phone number you have provided to discuss a special alarm system offer. **
** **OR
**COMPANY RELATIONSHIPS/THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS. **
(place company name here) may have an affiliation with third-party service providers (“TPSP”) in order to offer value-added services to its Clients. By signing this agreement you authorize our third party service providers to call you at the numbers you have provided to discuss special service offers.
Mine reads better IM (not so H) O: http://www.nachi.org/tpsp.htm