QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE SENTRILOCK CONVERSION
June 2, 2011
Why are we switching to new lockboxes?
Our current system has been in place since 2005 but many of the existing lockboxes require extensive maintenance from GEPAR staff. In addition, our contract with SentriLock has expired and there is no warranty or support services without a new contract being executed. The lockbox task force felt the new Sentrilock product had greater durability and would serve our membership for a longer period of time than the current lockboxes.
Are the batteries from the old lockboxes compatible with the new lockboxes?
No they are not, but the new batteries which are CR123 Lithium batteries have an estimated life expectancy of five years. With the new lockboxes in place, you will not have to worry about trying to access an old lockbox with a dead battery. We heard from several members that this was becoming more a regular occurrence when showing properties.
How difficult will it be to learn the new system?
The system is not new, but is an upgrade of the system we currently utilize. The training classes are simply offered at the time of the lockbox conversion to showcase the many new features of the system. Our members will receive new Sentricards, and if your photo was in GEPAR’s system, it will be placed on the new Sentricard.
Will our lockbox fees go up on the new system?
No. Any user fee increases are set each year by our Association when the budget for the coming year is established. The upgraded system will not see any type of increases for our membership. The Task Force worked diligently to ensure that fees would not increase at the current time for our membership.
Did the Task Force look at any other systems other than Sentrilock?
Yes, the Task Force also looked at the other industry provider, Supra. We met with representatives from both providers and were shown the choices for products. Supra, while having a series of great products, would have been substantially more expensive and would have required more initial cash output as well as raising user fees.
Was the inconvenience to the members during the week of the conversion considered?
It certainly was, and while there was no perfect scenario for the conversion, the convenience factor to our members will increase at least tenfold. Under the old system, our members would have to go out and read lockboxes individually, go back to their office, and download the data, and then return to read the next lockbox. This procedure could involve more than a day’s work as well as driving throughout the city expending time and gasoline. The new system will require the Sentricard to be updated once a week, which means that a listing agent will be able to gather data on their lockboxes once a week without having to go out and read the lockboxes individually. What is really impressive is that Sentrilock will send notifications, via email, to the agent letting the agent know who has shown their property. This feature alone means a huge time and money savings for the listing agents throughout the entire year.
If I have 10 lockboxes, will I receive 10 lockboxes at the conversion?
In order to establish a better system for tracking the lockboxes, the amount of lockboxes given will match the number of listings the agent has, as long as the old lockboxes are exchanged. An agent can acquire more lockboxes after the conversion, if desired.
If I am given a lesser number of lockboxes than I turn in, what is my incentive for turning old lockboxes in?
One of the points of negotiations to receive new lockboxes without raising user fees was that we guaranteed that we would return a significant number of the old lockboxes. The entire cost to receive new, improved product for our members was predicated on the old lockboxes being returned.
Can I still use my old lockbox card after I have been given the new one?
No, once you receive your new card, the old card is disabled.
What do I do if I am out of town during the lockbox conversion? Could someone else pick up my lockboxes and new keycard for me, including my broker?
Knowing there would never be a day where everyone could attend, the Task Force recommended that if proof of being out of town, such as an airline ticket, travel voucher, hotel bill, etc., was provided, the late fee would be waived. No one can pick up lockboxes or a keycard other than the agent the keycard and lockboxes are assigned to.
Will new card readers be required after the conversion?
No, existing card readers will be compatible with the new system. Additional card readers will be available for sale after the conversion process in the Membership Department at GEPAR.
