Comments on: Supra versus Sentrilock – Just One Realtors Opinion http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/ Fredericksburg Area Association of REALTORS® Fri, 04 May 2012 21:02:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Erik Sundquist http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-3790 Erik Sundquist Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:27:04 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-3790 One thing that should be mentioned as a design flaw in the Sentrilock box is that inserting one battery the wrong way round can result in totally disabling the box forever. The batteries are inside a compartment with a plastic cover held in place by two philips screws. The two batteries fit vertically into slots both of which have springs on the bottom. However, as I found out too late, one battery has to go in with the negative down, the other with the positive down (on the spring). Following conventional cues, I put both batteries in with the negative end on the spring. I had not looked at the black-on-black guide on the cover and did not note how the old batteries were positioned. It was dark, and it was awkward to work with the box attached to the door. So when I finished and closed the box, I found of course that it would not respond to my key card. A call to customer service confirmed that there is nothing anyone can do at this point to open the box. I'll have to get a bold cutter to get it off the door and then, I suppose, throw it away. Now it seems to me that it would be simple to design a failsafe box that (a) would not close if the batteries are in wrong or (b) has a circuit bypassing the batteries that could be connected to an outside power source. I'm not very bright, but I don't think I'm the dimmest Realtor out there, so I bet this has happened to others. One thing that should be mentioned as a design flaw in the Sentrilock box is that inserting one battery the wrong way round can result in totally disabling the box forever. The batteries are inside a compartment with a plastic cover held in place by two philips screws. The two batteries fit vertically into slots both of which have springs on the bottom. However, as I found out too late, one battery has to go in with the negative down, the other with the positive down (on the spring). Following conventional cues, I put both batteries in with the negative end on the spring. I had not looked at the black-on-black guide on the cover and did not note how the old batteries were positioned. It was dark, and it was awkward to work with the box attached to the door.
So when I finished and closed the box, I found of course that it would not respond to my key card. A call to customer service confirmed that there is nothing anyone can do at this point to open the box. I’ll have to get a bold cutter to get it off the door and then, I suppose, throw it away.
Now it seems to me that it would be simple to design a failsafe box that (a) would not close if the batteries are in wrong or (b) has a circuit bypassing the batteries that could be connected to an outside power source. I’m not very bright, but I don’t think I’m the dimmest Realtor out there, so I bet this has happened to others.

]]> By: Elsa http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-402 Elsa Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:55:32 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-402 Denise, I do agree that volume should taken into consideration. I think it goes without saying that perhaps the area where most of the volume comes from might just be where there's a huge need to give access to agents under the Sentrilock system. If the area with lower volume is less affected, they obviously won't be in such dire straights under a two system scenario. I also agree that some won't think it's fair no matter what, unitl we are all under one system again. Denise,

I do agree that volume should taken into consideration. I think it goes without saying that perhaps the area where most of the volume comes from might just be where there’s a huge need to give access to agents under the Sentrilock system. If the area with lower volume is less affected, they obviously won’t be in such dire straights under a two system scenario. I also agree that some won’t think it’s fair no matter what, unitl we are all under one system again.

]]> By: Matthew Rathbun http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-401 Matthew Rathbun Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:02:46 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-401 Denis, About six months ago I did a statistics check and about 36% of the homes were sold by agents with Brokers in Associations outside of FAAR. That doesn't equate to how many showed the home and I'm not sure who to prove that number. Personally, my listings north of Rt. 3 are shown by agents from other regions about 1 out of 4 times. 80% sounds a little too high... You're right... There is no right answer. .-= Matthew Rathbun´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.theagenttrainer.com/get-your-ipad-appd-up-for-real-estate/" rel="nofollow">Get your iPad App’d Up for Real Estate!</a> =-. Denis,

About six months ago I did a statistics check and about 36% of the homes were sold by agents with Brokers in Associations outside of FAAR. That doesn’t equate to how many showed the home and I’m not sure who to prove that number. Personally, my listings north of Rt. 3 are shown by agents from other regions about 1 out of 4 times.

80% sounds a little too high…

You’re right… There is no right answer.
.-= Matthew Rathbun´s last blog ..Get your iPad App’d Up for Real Estate! =-.

]]> By: Denise Vrabel http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-400 Denise Vrabel Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:41:57 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-400 Matthew Thanks for the info I prefer the sentrilock because I like the card reader & the one day codes would be nice. The main reason, being here in north Stafford is a nightmare with the NVAR agents. I have heard the stat but not sure how accurate, 80% of Stafford listings are sold by NVAR agents, they expect us to have sentrilock. We have agents ALL the time call from in front of the house saying they don't have supra(it is in the MLS mind you, usually in remarks too). It is so frustrating. The NVAR board did a horrible job of conveying they could keep their supra keys. Alot of them say they just don't show that much so they don't bother. We even had one NVAR agent tell one of our sellers that their agent (us) should have a sentrilock because that is what they use. We are forced to put a combo & supra on eveything unless we are ready to drop everything to let agents in. I just think with the amount of agents in the area selling volume, NVAR & PWAR, we should be on the same system which is sentrilock. I know we can't please everyone but it is a matter of volume. It is a no win situation If you ask me I don't think many north Stafford agents voted or went at the trade show, shame on them. The vote would have been different. Matthew
Thanks for the info I prefer the sentrilock because I like the card reader & the one day codes would be nice. The main reason, being here in north Stafford is a nightmare with the NVAR agents. I have heard the stat but not sure how accurate, 80% of Stafford listings are sold by NVAR agents, they expect us to have sentrilock. We have agents ALL the time call from in front of the house saying they don’t have supra(it is in the MLS mind you, usually in remarks too). It is so frustrating. The NVAR board did a horrible job of conveying they could keep their supra keys. Alot of them say they just don’t show that much so they don’t bother. We even had one NVAR agent tell one of our sellers that their agent (us) should have a sentrilock because that is what they use. We are forced to put a combo & supra on eveything unless we are ready to drop everything to let agents in. I just think with the amount of agents in the area selling volume, NVAR & PWAR, we should be on the same system which is sentrilock. I know we can’t please everyone but it is a matter of volume. It is a no win situation If you ask me I don’t think many north Stafford agents voted or went at the trade show, shame on them. The vote would have been different.

]]> By: Elsa http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-399 Elsa Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:51:13 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-399 Hello Everyone, Matthew, it’s a sad state of affairs when you have to budget to accommodate agents from a different association. It’s also sad and hard to believe that only 259 agents out of 1300+ would take the time to cast a vote! Many things that leave me perplexed when I think about this whole issue. Most recently a revelation at the FAAR Trade Show from Tom Hill (SUPRA) left my brain numb. I don’t know if I’m the only person who has any interest in knowing what the new Supra lockbox has to offer. I know, we are not doing a lockbox exchange, and that’s precisely why I care, since I’m caught between Sentrilock and Supra areas. This information has not been available at any of the meetings I’ve attended about the lockboxes. When the question’s been raised about the new Supra lockbox’s price, since it can use day codes, we’ve been told that it would be worked out on an individual basis with agents that are in areas where they need to give out of area agents access. At the Trade Show I was finally able to find out that the boxes are going to cost $99.00 – don’t know if that’s the straight up price or other fees would be tacked on through the Association, etc. In any case, what followed next is the kicker. I asked Tom how the day codes would work. He told me that basically I would be sending a text message to the other agent, but there would be a fee for codes, per code! WHOA, a fee for the day codes? ME: - “You mean to tell me an agent calls me to show my listing and you are going to charge me a fee?” – TOM: “No, we are not going to charge you; we are going to charge the other agent.” My brain just about shut down right then and there. In order to make sure all agents participate in the system, Supra will have to charge a fee for the day codes, lest some agents skirt the system. The fee would be “no more than $5”. How will the fee be charged? They don’t know that yet. And they are going to test the market with this issue. Tom if you are reading this, feel free to comment. I find this extremely troubling. I just can’t see how that can even take place. What about cooperating agents that pay dues to their association, but want to show my listing? – PENALTY! Fork out the $5 or get lost. This is definitely not going to be good for business. There are so many issues here I don’t even know where to begin. I mentioned this fee per code to a board member and she was totally unaware of it. Do any of the members of the board or the research committee have any knowledge of this? Why not? How can the board, or anyone else, make an informed decision when the two products have not been compared equally? How many BETA testers have used the Sentrilock system? I mean people who really use it and have been tasked with making an evaluation. Have the same questions been asked about both systems? We’ve had plenty of BETA testers for Supra, which we are all quite familiar with. Yet we don’t have anyone testing Sentrilock, which is entirely new to us. Maybe I’m not privy to some information – I’m sure, but I have attended most of the meetings about the boxes and when certain questions have been asked about the Sentrilock vs. Supra, the BETA testers couldn’t answer because they didn’t test or even own a Sentrilock card. When I suggested at a meeting that we should invite someone from the associations that are on the Sentrilock system to come and give us their opinion on it, you would think I’d suggested we torch the FAAR building. We couldn’t possibly ask the enemy north of us to give us their honest opinion! Silly me, I thought they were our colleagues and would certainly be open to sharing with us the pros and cons of the system. In the meantime, some folks have made sure that miss-information/negative information went out about the Sentrilock system. If you are going to bash one, why don’t you bash the other? Why don’t you say that a Supra box can also be pried open with a screw driver? Why doesn’t anyone mention that if the battery on the Supra runs out, then you have to replace the whole door handle to get it off? If you forget your display key at home, you can’t access a property; if it breaks, you’re out of luck till you get a new one. These things don’t happen with a Sentrilock card; you can still get access and box functionality. These are just a few examples. I’ve heard arguments made that if we own the system then will be stuck with old technology. Well, the Sentrilock box already does more than I personally need it to do, have anyone checked all the different functions under their tutorial video section? That’s like telling me that I should lease a car and not buy one, so I can always have a shiny new one. I’d much rather own my car at the end of the loan term and do whatever I please with the money I’ll be saving when it’s paid off. In the same way, once the Sentrilock system is paid of FAAR will have the option to do numerous things with the revenue to benefit all members. As the areas around us move to a different system, we can clearly see the hand writing on the wall, but it seems a lot of folks are trying to cling to what they know, after all better the evil we know than the evil we don’t. Maybe we should heed the advice we give stubborn sellers, we need to be ahead of the market and not chasing it. I hope the board will take some extra time to investigate ALL the issues that go with both systems. We have been given pricing, but are we comparing apples to apples? What would be our pricing from Supra if we exchanged boxes as well? Would it be what it is now? I’m guessing not. Give me something that will make my life easier as I conduct my day to day business, don’t burden me with extra fees and headaches, please! I’m paying enough as it is already, so are many of my colleagues. Please don’t tell me it’s the cost of doing business, I know that and I’m sucking it up, to the tune of double what I’d pay if I only had one key. As a FAAR rep for my office a lot of agents have said they don’t care which system we use, they just want ONE. Board members, your task is great, you have to look out for the best interest of all of us. I hope you have all the facts when you make your decision, and can look at it in a neutral light and ask what will be best for the majority of the membership. I know I’ve said too much, but time is short and I had to get it all out while I have the time. If you need a BETA tester – I’m available! Hello Everyone,
Matthew, it’s a sad state of affairs when you have to budget to accommodate agents from a different association. It’s also sad and hard to believe that only 259 agents out of 1300+ would take the time to cast a vote!
Many things that leave me perplexed when I think about this whole issue. Most recently a revelation at the FAAR Trade Show from Tom Hill (SUPRA) left my brain numb. I don’t know if I’m the only person who has any interest in knowing what the new Supra lockbox has to offer. I know, we are not doing a lockbox exchange, and that’s precisely why I care, since I’m caught between Sentrilock and Supra areas. This information has not been available at any of the meetings I’ve attended about the lockboxes. When the question’s been raised about the new Supra lockbox’s price, since it can use day codes, we’ve been told that it would be worked out on an individual basis with agents that are in areas where they need to give out of area agents access.
At the Trade Show I was finally able to find out that the boxes are going to cost $99.00 – don’t know if that’s the straight up price or other fees would be tacked on through the Association, etc. In any case, what followed next is the kicker. I asked Tom how the day codes would work. He told me that basically I would be sending a text message to the other agent, but there would be a fee for codes, per code! WHOA, a fee for the day codes? ME: – “You mean to tell me an agent calls me to show my listing and you are going to charge me a fee?” – TOM: “No, we are not going to charge you; we are going to charge the other agent.” My brain just about shut down right then and there. In order to make sure all agents participate in the system, Supra will have to charge a fee for the day codes, lest some agents skirt the system. The fee would be “no more than $5”. How will the fee be charged? They don’t know that yet. And they are going to test the market with this issue. Tom if you are reading this, feel free to comment.
I find this extremely troubling. I just can’t see how that can even take place. What about cooperating agents that pay dues to their association, but want to show my listing? – PENALTY! Fork out the $5 or get lost. This is definitely not going to be good for business.
There are so many issues here I don’t even know where to begin. I mentioned this fee per code to a board member and she was totally unaware of it. Do any of the members of the board or the research committee have any knowledge of this? Why not?
How can the board, or anyone else, make an informed decision when the two products have not been compared equally? How many BETA testers have used the Sentrilock system? I mean people who really use it and have been tasked with making an evaluation. Have the same questions been asked about both systems? We’ve had plenty of BETA testers for Supra, which we are all quite familiar with. Yet we don’t have anyone testing Sentrilock, which is entirely new to us. Maybe I’m not privy to some information – I’m sure, but I have attended most of the meetings about the boxes and when certain questions have been asked about the Sentrilock vs. Supra, the BETA testers couldn’t answer because they didn’t test or even own a Sentrilock card.
When I suggested at a meeting that we should invite someone from the associations that are on the Sentrilock system to come and give us their opinion on it, you would think I’d suggested we torch the FAAR building. We couldn’t possibly ask the enemy north of us to give us their honest opinion! Silly me, I thought they were our colleagues and would certainly be open to sharing with us the pros and cons of the system.
In the meantime, some folks have made sure that miss-information/negative information went out about the Sentrilock system. If you are going to bash one, why don’t you bash the other? Why don’t you say that a Supra box can also be pried open with a screw driver? Why doesn’t anyone mention that if the battery on the Supra runs out, then you have to replace the whole door handle to get it off? If you forget your display key at home, you can’t access a property; if it breaks, you’re out of luck till you get a new one. These things don’t happen with a Sentrilock card; you can still get access and box functionality. These are just a few examples.
I’ve heard arguments made that if we own the system then will be stuck with old technology. Well, the Sentrilock box already does more than I personally need it to do, have anyone checked all the different functions under their tutorial video section? That’s like telling me that I should lease a car and not buy one, so I can always have a shiny new one. I’d much rather own my car at the end of the loan term and do whatever I please with the money I’ll be saving when it’s paid off. In the same way, once the Sentrilock system is paid of FAAR will have the option to do numerous things with the revenue to benefit all members.
As the areas around us move to a different system, we can clearly see the hand writing on the wall, but it seems a lot of folks are trying to cling to what they know, after all better the evil we know than the evil we don’t. Maybe we should heed the advice we give stubborn sellers, we need to be ahead of the market and not chasing it.
I hope the board will take some extra time to investigate ALL the issues that go with both systems. We have been given pricing, but are we comparing apples to apples? What would be our pricing from Supra if we exchanged boxes as well? Would it be what it is now? I’m guessing not.
Give me something that will make my life easier as I conduct my day to day business, don’t burden me with extra fees and headaches, please! I’m paying enough as it is already, so are many of my colleagues. Please don’t tell me it’s the cost of doing business, I know that and I’m sucking it up, to the tune of double what I’d pay if I only had one key. As a FAAR rep for my office a lot of agents have said they don’t care which system we use, they just want ONE.
Board members, your task is great, you have to look out for the best interest of all of us. I hope you have all the facts when you make your decision, and can look at it in a neutral light and ask what will be best for the majority of the membership.
I know I’ve said too much, but time is short and I had to get it all out while I have the time. If you need a BETA tester – I’m available!

]]> By: Latana Locke http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-397 Latana Locke Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:07:13 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-397 Good morning all. Appreciate all the comments. We are making notes and will review them all. The Trade Show & the 1 long year of educating our membership on this very important issues has been a huge undertaking. My thanks to all the great work by Staff & lots of volunteers who worked so hard to put make this together. No system is perfect, but can always be improved, that is why your comments are so important. Thank you all. Sorry I missed this discussion last night.(I had to leave my phone in the truck) I took my husband to the NASCAR race in Richmond where tempers fly hot on the track at 127 mph. Good morning all. Appreciate all the comments. We are making notes and will review them all. The Trade Show & the 1 long year of educating our membership on this very important issues has been a huge undertaking. My thanks to all the great work by Staff & lots of volunteers who worked so hard to put make this together. No system is perfect, but can always be improved, that is why your comments are so important. Thank you all. Sorry I missed this discussion last night.(I had to leave my phone in the truck) I took my husband to the NASCAR race in Richmond where tempers fly hot on the track at 127 mph.

]]> By: Pat Hallesy http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-396 Pat Hallesy Sat, 11 Sep 2010 01:36:24 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-396 upra software had to be removed from 3 of my newer computers because it bogged everything down. Of course, they have no solution to offer. GE no longer owns Supra - it's owned by a company that collects other companies as cash cows - why should they care. BTW, the Sentrilock card reader can be purchased for less than $16.00. The most expensive reader is for the ExpressCard slot in newer laptops (it's only $40). - These can be obtained from www.scbsolutions.com. Don't pay extra for faster shipping as their warehouse is in Arlington (I got mine the day after I ordered). upra software had to be removed from 3 of my newer computers because it bogged everything down. Of course, they have no solution to offer.

GE no longer owns Supra – it’s owned by a company that collects other companies as cash cows – why should they care.

BTW, the Sentrilock card reader can be purchased for less than $16.00. The most expensive reader is for the ExpressCard slot in newer laptops (it’s only $40). – These can be obtained from http://www.scbsolutions.com. Don’t pay extra for faster shipping as their warehouse is in Arlington (I got mine the day after I ordered).

]]> By: Matthew Rathbun http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-395 Matthew Rathbun Sat, 11 Sep 2010 01:03:31 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-395 Sorry... the "In other news" part was NOT a quote from the FAAR email - that was part of a prior copy paste... .-= Matthew Rathbun´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.theagenttrainer.com/get-your-ipad-appd-up-for-real-estate/" rel="nofollow">Get your iPad App’d Up for Real Estate!</a> =-. Sorry… the “In other news” part was NOT a quote from the FAAR email – that was part of a prior copy paste…
.-= Matthew Rathbun´s last blog ..Get your iPad App’d Up for Real Estate! =-.

]]> By: Matthew Rathbun http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-394 Matthew Rathbun Sat, 11 Sep 2010 01:00:51 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-394 So for those who didn't get the FAAR email, the results of the straw survey were (as stated from the email): " In other news: FAAR posted the results of the lockbox straw poll: "In the Straw Poll, voters urged the Board of Directors to enter into a new contract with SUPRA as opposed to selecting Sentrilock as the new vendor. Sentrilock- 68 ...SUPRA- 191" That's a pretty overwhelming percentage of an underwhelming turnout. But I agree with democracy and think the majority should win. Jennifer and I are going to invest in additional Sentrilock boxes for all our listings north of Rt.3. Frankly I'm tired of getting the calls from agents asking how they get in if they are from NOVA. It'll be better for my clients to remove any barriers to agents showing the home. .-= Matthew Rathbun´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.theagenttrainer.com/get-your-ipad-appd-up-for-real-estate/" rel="nofollow">Get your iPad App’d Up for Real Estate!</a> =-. So for those who didn’t get the FAAR email, the results of the straw survey were (as stated from the email):

” In other news: FAAR posted the results of the lockbox straw poll:

“In the Straw Poll, voters urged the Board of Directors to enter into a new contract with SUPRA as opposed to selecting Sentrilock as the new vendor.

Sentrilock- 68
…SUPRA- 191″

That’s a pretty overwhelming percentage of an underwhelming turnout. But I agree with democracy and think the majority should win. Jennifer and I are going to invest in additional Sentrilock boxes for all our listings north of Rt.3. Frankly I’m tired of getting the calls from agents asking how they get in if they are from NOVA. It’ll be better for my clients to remove any barriers to agents showing the home.
.-= Matthew Rathbun´s last blog ..Get your iPad App’d Up for Real Estate! =-.

]]> By: Elsa http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/comment-page-1/#comment-371 Elsa Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:50:40 +0000 http://faarforum.com/2010/01/supra-versus-sentrilock-just-one-realtors-opinion/#comment-371 Thank you Bob and Matthew. My understanding was the latest figures put both systems at about the same price. If that is so, then as I sit here frustrated with not being able to manipulate the lockboxes as I need to on the Supra site, I have to ask, why stick with the old, outdated system? Supra will be laughing all the way to the bank, that's for sure. Hopefully most people realize there is a learning curve with anything new, whether it's a cell phone, computer, new program, or new TV even. In this case, the Sentrilock system is very user friendly, you can do everything you need on line pretty much, easily. You don't even need to know your shackle codes as your lockboxes recognize you as the owner, just to give an example of some of the functions. The fear of change of ease of staying with the same-old, same-old ends up costing us more time spent doing things that don't bring us any business. I agree everything seems to be pointing to staying with Supra and it's a shame agents haven't spoken up more about their preferences. But maybe we'll be surprised by the straw poll! Thank you Bob and Matthew.

My understanding was the latest figures put both systems at about the same price. If that is so, then as I sit here frustrated with not being able to manipulate the lockboxes as I need to on the Supra site, I have to ask, why stick with the old, outdated system? Supra will be laughing all the way to the bank, that’s for sure. Hopefully most people realize there is a learning curve with anything new, whether it’s a cell phone, computer, new program, or new TV even. In this case, the Sentrilock system is very user friendly, you can do everything you need on line pretty much, easily. You don’t even need to know your shackle codes as your lockboxes recognize you as the owner, just to give an example of some of the functions. The fear of change of ease of staying with the same-old, same-old ends up costing us more time spent doing things that don’t bring us any business.
I agree everything seems to be pointing to staying with Supra and it’s a shame agents haven’t spoken up more about their preferences. But maybe we’ll be surprised by the straw poll!

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