Locking a C-Bus system

As system integrator for the last 7 years, I confronted many times clients that refused to pay on time the agreed amount for the commissioning of a project although the system works fine, as supposed to. Since I am losing my patient with them, I have prepared a schedule that in a specific day (for example 3 months after the handover) locks the keypads and asks for a password in the touch screen. Until the correct password is typed, neither touch screen nor keypads are working.
However I am in a dilemma. Am I immoral because I will lock the system or should I do it?
PS - 1: I understand that it is easy for someone who has knowledge to C-Bus to unlock the system
PS - 2: In Greece we rarely sign a contract for small projects, although I am trying to every time

 

This is a difficult issue. I am not sure of the legality and/or morality of doing this, but I can certainly understand why you want to.

One possible solution is to install the touch screens with a "demonstration mode" which stays that way until the bill is paid. Once paid, it is put into the normal mode.

The demonstration mode may be as simple as having big red letters saying "demonstration mode" across the screen on every page. Or the time out page could be set to show an annoying demonstration mode page rather than the real time-out page.

Whatever you do, it should be clearly in the contract so that there can be no arguments about it.

 

In Australia you would not be able to justify locking the client. If someone will be injured then you will be totally liable for all damages.

However, if the system "fails" then you are not at fault. But since you already said it is going to fail and the forum is in google, you can no longer use that reason.

 

I totally agree with both Darren and tobex's comments..

I have in the past seen a similar thing to what Darren is talking about where by the piced project was loaded with a "Payment reminder" so that after 30 days the touch screen would display a reminder screen saver, which could then be disabled via a pin code which the installer would give them once the bill was paid..

This particular installer only ever had 1 job where payment was an issue and the embarrassment factor for the client meant he got paid very swiftly once the time period ended..

Would not be a hard module to setup and implement in your jobs..

Cheers,
Nik

 

I have heard of an installer here in NQ that dialed into an installation at 2 or 3 in the morning and turned all the lights on in the house and then disabled the switch's because the customer had not paid, the bill was paid later that morning...