How do you help your neighbors with recommending and installing cameras?

Arjun

Arjun

IPCT Contributor
Feb 26, 2017
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The Free? World
How do you help your neighbors with recommending and installing cameras?
I have done it all, but not sure if I went overboard - from installing Blue Iris to isolating cameras on a separate VLAN, configuring VPN, and so on. However, it comes to a point as you can only do so much; especially when they ask you to come over to troubleshoot, reconfigure, or change the camera. What would you all do at this point?
 
Keep reiterating that you are doing it for free (or cost of materials) and tell them how much you would normally charge a customer.
Tell them there is zero warranty (except maybe parts only) and you have to make a living, so you can't prioritize fixing it for free when it has an issue years down the road.

Most people, even non business owning people, understand at least somewhat that time is money. If they don't, you just explain it to them.

"I don't usually touch something like this for less than $3000!" tells people what a gift they are getting.

Now if your neighbor is an entitled brat, then it is standard business prices on the high side of the spectrum because you have to deal with more stress and drama. Stress is work. Charge for it. I don't have any dramatic customers because I already charge higher prices to filter the penny pinchers and charge even more for drama. On the other side of thr coin, I'll sometimes discount the stree free customers. They are flexible and low stress. I charge people for what it costs me, whether in time, stress, materials, brain power, etc.
 
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I just tell people I put in professional grade stuff and can't keep up with all the consumer products. I also tell them my stuff provides superior night vision (varying grades of better), something nobody seems to even think is an option.
 
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I try not to sound elitist, but the consumer color at night cameras see hardly anything at night, whereas an empiretech IR cam is far better. Even ET color at night is pretty bad without external lighting.

I usually just blame myself in front of them: "I just can't keep up with the hardware and software changes in the consumer brands. With the stuff I use, I know exactly what I can get from it in real life situations, because I test each model or at least one in that model line."

I don't compete with consumer brands. I just price things so I make a decent living. If you are looking at Reolink and like it because of the lower price, you probably won't want my prices. That being said, I did have a guy who liked Reolink that switched to EmpireTech and loves it. Cost was not a substantial factor for him, though. He wanted good service primarily, and now loves the better equipment.

Even if I know I won't sell a product or service to these people, I try to help them understand the options and why I recommend certain hardware.
 
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I tell them to head to IPcamtalk forums to research their decisions! ;) ......... and ask me any questions they might have.

While I am happy to discuss things and make recommendations (with anyone that will listen), I'm not in the installation business and I'm not about to start for my neighbors.
 
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My neighbors have never really asked me, but I have had a couple friends and coworkers ask. I give them information and a shopping list, but they never follow through with it. One friend had his zero turn mower stolen. He asked about a system, I spec'd one out. As a short term solution he put up a system from Menards and hasn't considered replacing it. Something is better than nothing, I suppose.
 
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Ri22o said:
My neighbors have never really asked me, but I have had a couple friends and coworkers ask. I give them information and a shopping list, but they never follow through with it. One friend had his zero turn mower stolen. He asked about a system, I spec'd one out. As a short term solution he put up a system from Menards and hasn't considered replacing it. Something is better than nothing, I suppose.
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The Automation Guy said:
I tell them to head to IPcamtalk forums to research their decisions! ;) ......... and ask me any questions they might have.

While I am happy to discuss things and make recommendations (with anyone that will listen), I'm not in the installation business and I'm not about to start for my neighbors.
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When I was younger and more agile I was happy to help close friends run cables for their setups. ( ethernet, cameras )

Now, I am just willing to share what I have learned and suggest locations / positions and even models for those willing to DIY.

So far, most have decided not to spend the time and money to run a proper wired setup and instead look for wifi setups.
 
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mat200 said:
When I was younger and more agile I was happy to help close friends run cables for their setups. ( ethernet, cameras )

Now, I am just willing to share what I have learned and suggest locations / positions and even models for those willing to DIY.

So far, most have decided not to spend the time and money to run a proper wired setup and instead look for wifi setups.
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Sometimes it feels like we are all just wasting our time and breath with others who are simply ignorant and want the easy out; also those that are too nosey about why we have X number of cameras and what exactly the purpose of surveillance is.
Time is precious - don't you all agree?
I have also been trying to get others to put dash cams in their cars - one person I know closely had a recent car accident and did not have a dash cam installed despite me telling the fellow numerous times, install a damn dash cam.
People just don't listen and think they know everything
 
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Arjun said:
Sometimes it feels like we are all just wasting our time and breath with others who are simply ignorant and want the easy out; also those that are too nosey about why we have X number of cameras and what exactly the purpose of surveillance is.
Time is precious - don't you all agree?
I have also been trying to get others to put dash cams in their cars - one person I know closely had a recent car accident and did not have a dash cam installed despite me telling the fellow numerous times, install a damn dash cam.
People just don't listen and think they know everything
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I mention dash cams all the time, and the usual response is "I need to get one", but no one ever does. Next thing you know they get rear ended by a semi on the interstate.

If people only knew how crappy all of the other solutions are, not to mention the security risks and them being able to look at your feed, they might see the light. It's like making hot chocolate with water, and not knowing how much better it is with milk.
 
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Ri22o said:
I mention dash cams all the time, and the usual response is "I need to get one", but no one ever does. Next thing you know they get rear ended by a semi on the interstate.

If people only knew how crappy all of the other solutions are, not to mention the security risks and them being able to look at your feed, they might see the light. It's like making hot chocolate with water, and not knowing how much better it is with milk.
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I also had to insist that my parents purchase a dashcam for the front and rear of their vehicle.
 
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