Internet "Shopping"

Background

The Zip/Postal Code Search feature on the NECSI home page has dramatically increased our accessibility to existing and potential customers. With the popularity and increased use of the Internet, this accessibility is expected to continually grow. While this is a wonderful marketing tool, it can have a down side. Recently, some dealers have received parts and price requests from various end users across the United States, not to mention Africa and South America. All authorized NEC dealers have territories detailed in their NEC Dealer Agreement to insure that products are installed and maintained in accordance with NEC standards. It is the intent of the Network Equipment & Computer System Integrators to adhere to selling and servicing in those territories so that we can maintain the quality level of product service and support across all the geographic regions.

The Zip/Postal Code Search Program is created solely with the intent of encouraging potential customers and telecom consultants to find the NECSI members in their local area. It is not created to allow or encourage the Internet shopper to shop prices by contacting multiple dealers across the United States and Canada. Price quoting and product selling from the NECSI Internet link outside your territory is not in the intended use of the NECSI Zip/Postal Code "Search for your Local Dealer" Program and is strictly against NECSI policy. Also, any dealer that actively solicits the sale of new NEC parts on their Internet pages is probably in violation of the NEC Dealers Agreement and is also in violation of NECSI policy.

On the other hand, we strongly encourage members to enhance their position to their local customers by advertising (and linking to www.nec-si.com) on their home page and other advertising materials that "Installation and maintenance available throughout the U.S. and Canada through the Network Equipment & Computer System Integrators." Who knows? You might find a National Account or a Multi-Location Account right in your own backyard!

Policy #1
Adopted 9/25/97

It is, therefore, the policy of NECSI to shut off the Internet link to any NECSI member who is found by a majority vote of the Dealer Council, to be in violation of this policy and may, at the option of the Council, also place their membership in NECSI in jeopardy. NECSI feels that it is appropriate to respond to requests from prospective customers by directing them directly to member NEC dealers in their local area. Any leads that do come directly to NECSI shall be forwarded to all members in that Zip/Postal Code area that handle the product in question.