Internet policing is very easy. It requires URC to track serial numbers. They keep a record of what distributor or dealer each serial number goes to, then they require distributors to do the same. See someone selling online, buy a unit and get the serial number, then fire the dealer it was shipped to. If a distributor has an on going problem with dealers selling online, Fire the distributor.

The first point of your post is the issue. They are indeed throwing us under the bus. People that ask you for the software have likely already gone to URC and were told they have to ask a dealer. The angst and anger will fall on you. The online review that pops up the next day will not be directed at URC, but you and your business. URC is essentially totally trying to bite that hand that feeds it. Every other control system company has a clear and concise policy. Either give the software out, or don't. Don't out it on us.

I can go one better than that. I had one come back against me, the tech. We did a small multi-room system for a very big PIA customer. One of those that wants everything for nothing and thinks he knows everything about electronics and tried to personally design the system. On the day I got the system up and running and the 4 remotes programmed, he asked me for the software. I politely explained "I don't have the authority to make that decision. You will have to talk to my boss. But, you know how the internet is, I know the software has been found through other sites". I knew my boss didn't want to give the software out (that's our policy) but we knew this guy would end up with it. So I tried to politely cover my own butt, then with a wink and a nod guide him to where he could find it. And the next morning I filled my boss in on the entire conversation. As I finished the guy called and started bitching and yelling at my boss because I wouldn't give him the software. Then proudly declared "but I found it online any way!"

at least someone is smart enough to realize that URC is giving the dealer all the power here.

The bigger picture here is why is YOUR customer calling URC instead of YOU!

Why would I call URC to get software for my client?

Seriously? That's what you got from this thread? Clients are liars. Tell one they can't have the software and they will call the manufacturer and try some BS story like "my dealer went out of business" or "the guy that sold me this one call me back and now it won't work. I need the software so I don't get screwed again".

Instead of protecting dealers like other manufacturers, URC throws theirs under the bus with "the dealer can give it to you if he wants". Then the client just thinks you are trying to rob him by charging every time he wants to change something

Personally when a customer asks me for the software, I give them a copy of the programmed file on either a CD, or now, usually a thumb drive since they're so cheap. That is theirs, it's on their remote, they paid for it, they own it & deserve it. THAT is what they paid us for. Nothing else.
I have NEVER had anyone dumb enough to ask for the programming software for Crestron, URC, Russound, or even how to set up a receiver. If they did, they're not my customer.

We the dealer can either follow URC's (and Crestron and everyone else's) policy which is "This is DEALER software" if you want to give URC your business info, fill out the paperwork, go to training & give your opening order, then by all means, lets not only get you the software, but GO INTO BUSINESS TOGETHER!! you obviously love this industry and are great at programming, so lets go make some money!!

As far as internet sales go, c'mon. If you can buy cars, computers, TV's, kidneys, and sex slaves from third world countries don't you think remotes are going to show up there?? Charge more for programming if they don't buy from you, or better yet, show them the value in buying FROM you. Has been working for us for a long time now...

I think URC's policy(s) is figured out, a lot of dealers just need to follow the instructions.

Uhhhhhh.....No. I don't think you are understanding the frustration in this thread. The URC policy has always been BS and very confusing. There is no reason in the world that URC cannot implement protected software in an update. Control4 checks in every 30 days, and if a dealer gets cut off due to not having made sales or selling online then composer shuts down and the dealer no longer has access to it.

I think savant also does this as well. It's simple and protects the dealer for the hours they invested into training and the platform.

URC really is hurting them selves by having these silly rules and not policing the online sales. Control 4 successfully does it! I don't see savant or crestron on amazon either!

That's not URC's policy. Their policy is the dealer can give programming software to the customer at their discretion. And if you've never had a customer ask for the programming software, you must not do much.

This is why I don't deal with C4 -- it's much too risky. I am insignificant to their plan. If they decide that dealers need to up their game by 20% or more and I miss the cut, I'll have to give up my customers. I don't think that a single vendor should have so much influence over my business.

URC is making me nervous too. Now, one must be a direct dealer in order to sell TC and they require a buy-in. It's a small step to require increased "commitment".

I think you need to understand the "policy", not other dealers following instructions. URC's policy is that they do not hand out software, but leaves it up to the dealer if they wish to. They also claim that the chain of support responsibility falls on the dealer to support that client, not URC. You handing a client their file does nothing, as with the software, they can simply extract it anyway. The issue is URC will tell someone that calls to go to YOU and that YOU should be the one giving them the software. When YOU don't give them the software YOU get the bad review, and bad word of mouth, whether that customer was YOUR customer or not. THAT it the problem!!!!

This right here is what stopped me from pursuing C4 further. I work my butt off, through word of mouth or advertising to bring in clients, sell them a system they either have not heard of or had not considered, my numbers fall off for any reason, and C4 reassigns MY customer (not theirs) to someone else. I had a huge problem with that and ultimately ceased my pursuance of taking them on.

Yeah, the policy sucks.

On the other hand the policy states that customer's dealer can give software away, "but since you didn't purchase the remote and/or programming from me Mr. Customer, I'm not your dealer. Contact whatever as*hole you got this crap from and talk to them."

"Old dealer went out of business and you want your controller updated? No problem. When would you like me to schedule a service call? No? You want to do it yourself? See my above response".

That's why I LOVE Control4.

They'll really cut off your ability to service your customers if you have a bad month? That seems like the craziest policy in this thread.

I really couldnt care less about URC's policy. Fine with me. I dont give a rats ass if some schmuck gets mad at me for saying "its dealer software and its OUR policy to not hand it out" (if we so chose). Online reviews? Couldnt care less about those either. Im not even aware of a single one that we are on or what customers even look at. if i cant sell them on my own, then Im either not doing a good job or I dont want that customer.

Seriously, folks are upset someone gets pissed off at them for not giving them URC dealer software?

I LOVE the fact i can walk into any TC system and access it without calling URC. Also means someone can take over mine. So what. Why would I care? If my customer calls another TC dealer, then, again, I am not doing my job. Hasnt happend with one single customer and likely never will.

I did give the software to one customer and explained that i had been trained in Denver, New York, Atlanta, Austin, Indianapolis and various other places because thats what it takes. Couple weeks later he laughed and said "youre right, I cant figure this out. Looks like training is required". Um, YA THINK? lol. he wanted it coz he was "smart". Smart is not what it takes to make it work. IT TAKES TRAINING and experience.