Fans abound for 'Door-knocking Code of Ethics'
By Martha Entwistle
Updated Tue September 1, 2009
IRVING, Texas--ADT chief legal officer David Bleisch's call (See page 1)for a 'door-knocking code of ethics' struck a chord with some who believe a code would be beneficial.
Jeremy Pixton, owner of Platinum Protection, one of the larger summer-model security companies called the idea "long overdue."
He noted that all alarm companies want to "satisfy our customers while protecting their homes and families. But unfortunately the door-to-door industry is riddled with stories about sales reps who don't share the same goal," Pixton said. "Even though Platinum has focused on training our sales reps to sell ethically, adopting an industry-wide code of ethics can only help us achieve more, and we would love to help however we can."
The NBFAA code of ethics does not specifically address door-to-door sales. NBFAA president Mike Miller called Bleisch's idea "a powerful suggestion." He added: "the NBFAA would like to help where it can ... to help bring a solution [to the problems associated with door-to-door sales] to the industry."
Miller said that enforcement of a code of ethics is not something within the purview of the NBFAA, but said another entity, such as a coalition of companies, may be able to address compliance with a code of ethics.
Bleish's suggestion came about as the result of lawsuits that ADT has filed against several door-to-door salespeople who ADT says used deceptive sales tactics. Monitronics, which is also suing several door-to-door sales people, also indicated its support for a code of ethics.
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