Greedy Con Merchants

[ian.cant]

Its not something have or would do but i can see a few legitimate reasons why.

The first one being security of the sysytem, prevents someone altering the programming and then trying to blame the installer for doing it wrong in the 1st place. Its THE only way he can protect himself from that situation.

This also protects the user from messing it up, no matter what their intentions are.

Those 2 reasons are good enough when i think about it, once bitten etc you wouldnt think twice about it would you.

There are a few other reasons which in my opnion are slightly less honourable but never the less if theyre put into writting on the original quote then i dont see why not to a degree.

Logically thinking, a proffessionally installed system doesnt become a DIY system once the cheque clears.

[Adi]

If i went back to site and my eng code didnt work, warranty is then void so no need to lock code.

[Guest rjbsec]

Whoah there hose.

No-one has come back and said anything about what the installer has said. If the customer had called the installer and he said 'get bent' then fair enough.

I don't think we should be flinging yes\no etc... about until we know the story. The instaler may turn around say he will call by and unlock the code FOC.

Now its true that the original poster may have been telling a complete load of lies, but if we assume that of all posters there would be no point in replying. He raised a question about a justifiable concern and that concern deserved an honest reply. If what he says is true, (and I have no reason to believe that it isn't because it is becoming a more widespread bad practice even amongst so-called professionals), then my reply stands.

In the circumstances described the only possible excuse for locking the engineer code would be if the system was the subject of a current and valid contractural agreement, e.g. a rental agreement. IMO any other reason is unacceptable even if the only cost to the owner is a telephone call.

A professional company that wishes to protect its interests during a warranty period either uses a panel of such quality that the NVM log provides evidence of interference or uses tamper-proof warranty stickers.

[norman]

You seem to miss Lurch's point, the poster has not mentioned ringing the installing company, they may do it for free if he takes out a service contract, or they may just do it for free, either way he is scalding them before asking them. Personally I would lock them and there would be cost implications for unlocking, but hey ho, that's just me.

[Guest rjbsec]

You seem to miss Lurch's point, the poster has not mentioned ringing the installing company, they may do it for free if he takes out a service contract, or they may just do it for free, either way he is scalding them before asking them. Personally I would lock them and there would be cost implications for unlocking, but hey ho, that's just me.

But you are missing my point - IMO, except with one small exception, he shouldn't have to ring them.

[Adi]

Now its true that the original poster may have been telling a complete load of lies, but if we assume that of all posters there would be no point in replying. He raised a question about a justifiable concern and that concern deserved an honest reply. If what he says is true, (and I have no reason to believe that it isn't because it is becoming a more widespread bad practice even amongst so-called professionals), then my reply stands.

In the circumstances described the only possible excuse for locking the engineer code would be if the system was the subject of a current and valid contractural agreement, e.g. a rental agreement. IMO any other reason is unacceptable even if the only cost to the owner is a telephone call.

A professional company that wishes to protect its interests during a warranty period either uses a panel of such quality that the NVM log provides evidence of interference or uses tamper-proof warranty stickers.

Agreed and thats why i would only fit a panel with an lcd keypad and not optima's accenta's ect...

[Guest rjbsec]

The code may have been locked by accident. With some panels just selecting a code that starts with a particular number will lock the code, so it is possible.

Agreed - there are some installers that useless!

Locking a code can sometimes be done to protect a customers security. With some panels the customer can inadvertantly default the panel and thereby stop personal attack buttons, fire zones, Etc. working.

Inadvertantly?

Locking the engineer code in a premises where people other than the owner have unsupervised access can prevent someone defaulting the panel and omitting zones without the owner being aware.

My daughter's house ......... a domestic residence with no service contract.

[Guest]

I still say, don't judge the installer unless you know all the facts......

wooah....careful you may start a trend here.....i thought the norm was to do the opposite......well said alarm g...

[norman]

he shouldn't have to ring them.

Ah! the old crystal ball!

[xx badwolf xx]

i have to say i dont belive the installation company is being a con merchant there has to be answers to a few factors as alarmgard has pointed out some panels lock out the codes if they start with a particular number. I install serveral panels and install domestic panels with regard to the customers needs i dont feel i should have to change the engineer code on a handful of panels just becouse it locks the code.

I doubt any of us openly give our engineer codes out after we finish the programming and thisis normally due to the odd customer have a play around with the system when the engineer has left. who would be to blame if the customer put a 20min bell dalay in by mistake.

however i would if the customer requested after the send an engineer out to reset the system engineer code to factory default if the customer asked i would also decide if my company name would stay on the bell. who gets blamed if the customer installs cheap sensors or poorly sited.