BUYER & SEMINAR ATTENDEES BEWARE. ================================== Issues with Suncoast Security: - Company sells OUTDATED TECHNOLOGY and yet markets it as unique and cutting edge. - Competitors continue to innovate, yet Suncoast Security LACKS INNOVATION and is stuck on its so called, "Aironomic" technology which is a non-sense made up term. The real alarm companies refuse to sell this type of technology due to the high rate of false alarms (inside doors setting off the alarm, thunderstorms, etc). Their "plug and play" technology means, "you get the PLUG and they get to PLAY." - ONSITE TECHNICAL SUPPORT staff is mainly comprised of only ONE person: Joseph S. Pine himself. Thus, the onsite Tech Support staff "bench" has NO DEPTH. You are taking chances with the after sale support. - QUESTIONABLE MARKETING STRATEGY / GIMMICK: Suncoast Security Resources of Florida, (www.suncoastsecurity.us) gets its sales leads from so called, "Safety Seminars" conducted by a related entity, "Metro Crime Prevention of Florida" (www.metrocrimeprevention.com). The key speaker is usually Mr. Joseph S. Pine (who will usually also sell / install the security system "just to help out." Wink, wink.) The main goal of the seminars is to get sales leads for Suncoast Security Resources. The sales leads are passed on to AND prequalified via telemarketing by Suncoast Security Resources so prospects can be pitched the SECURITY SYSTEM during an ALARM DEMONSTRATION in their HOME, which is the bread-and-butter of both companies. Both companies make their money from SECURITY SYSTEM / ALARM / EMERGENCY DEVICES. METRO CRIME PREVENTION OF FLORIDA also SELLS PEPPER SPRAY when they are explicitly told by safety seminar organizer(s), "No Selling Allowed." - QUESTIONABLE PAYMENT TERMS: Suncoast Security will also state that when it comes to paying, "CHECKS ARE CUSTOMARY." That way, it is more difficult for the customer to get a refund. Credit / Debit cards which give customers an extra layer of protection from DECEPTION are persuasively discouraged by Mr. Pine. - DECEPTIVE REPRESENTATION: As of writing, the President of Metro Crime Prevention of Florida is Mr. Joseph S. Pine. The President of Suncoast Security Resources of Florida is Ms. Vicki Gindel whose married name is Mrs. Vicki Pine. YES, THEY ARE HUSBAND & WIFE AND RUN BOTH COMPANIES. I am told that Ms. Kathy Dibut (who is also listed as a corporate officer of Suncoast Security Resources) is Mrs. Vicki Pine's (aka Vicki Gindel's) SISTER. NOTE: The related company, METRO CRIME PREVENTION OF FLORIDA, is misrepresented by Mr. Pine as a "Non Profit" when in fact it is NOT REGISTERED AS A 501(c)(3) per IRS Code. A cursory look online will verify the preceding statement of fact. Do the math. - QUESTIONABLE ETHICS: Suncoast Security Resources mainly sells security system / emergency pendants (buttons) to SENIOR CITIZENS (like to retirees in The Villages of Central Florida). The problem is that the seniors are fooled into thinking that the system is the best in terms of reliability and affordability; they are wrong. Also, when the senior citizens attend the crime prevention seminar by Metro Crime Prevention of Florida, they unknowingly are exposing themselves to a SALES PITCH for a security system / alarm - which they hope will translate to alarm sales for Suncoast Security Resources of Florida. Thus, THE LEAD GENERATING SOURCE OF SUNCOAST SECURITY RESOURCES IS.......METRO CRIME PREVENTION OF FLORIDA INC. - MISREPRESENTATION of IDENTITY: Mr. Joseph S. Pine is NOT and NEVER was Law Enforcement. He tries to give the impression of having been Law Enforcement during his seminars / programs / demonstrations; HE NEVER WAS. He is also known to display some sort of badge (on his hip or in his briefcase which from a distance may appear to be Law Enforcement; it is a SECURITY GUARD BADGE.) Do not let his bombastic bluster fool you; the closest he got to a police precinct was when MR. JOSEPH PINE WAS ARRESTED in Louisiana some years ago (when he was selling slot machines / gambling devices but ran afoul of the New Orleans Mob). - VIOLATION OF FLORIDA CONTRACTING LAWS?: Suncoast Security Resources of Florida is known to use the Alarm / Low Voltage License of various Qualifiers. It means the company DOES NOT HAVE ITS OWN LICENSE but merely pays a licensed electrician for the use of his license. The licensed electrician does NOT conduct site visits to perform any quality control. The practice is questionable as there is improper oversight and compliance. The situation needs to be investigated by authorities. I write this because my mother (may she rest in peace) fell prey to their shenanigans when she lived in The Villages of Florida. Caveat Emptor. read more