Lockboxes - Sentrilock System

Just can't beat the old combo lockbox!! I'll take one of those over Supra's or Sentriloc's anyday!

My personal favorite:

The Masertlock Select Access Portable 

You can fit a whole keychain in there!!! 

Hi, June.  Grand Rapids has had Sentrulock for a couple of years.  My husband was chairman of the task force that looked at several options and chose Sentrilock.  We love it.  We had Supra before.

I love the fact that it's secure.  Members have to be in good standing to be able to renew their cards monthly.  Card access is the only way to get in unless the box's owner gives out a one-day contractor code.  In the past, if a client was looking over your shoulder when you punched in the numbers, they could come back and get the house key any time.

There's a computer chip that tells whose card has unlocked the house.  Important if things turn up missing.

I love the fact that the numbers light up when the card is inserted.  I can't tell you how many times I've tried to punch the access code on Supras in bad lighting.  Use a flashlight?  Sure, wait a minute while I attach my third hand.

Ever unlock a Supra box and had the key fall on the ground?  Doesn't happen with Sentrilock.

I think once you're used to it, you'll love it too.

I haven't heard of Sentiloc.  How do they work?  I googled Sentriloc.  Of course, #1 on page one was THIS POST.  :-)

But I also got... Did you mean: Sentrilock. And because anything else under your post was not really related, I clicked on the 'do you mean' link.  No matter which site I look at, I still can't figure out how the thing works.

Nancy, what do you want to know?  It's a larger lockbox than a Supra.  You need to be a card-carrying member to access it.  Your card needs to be renewed once a month.  You insert your card and punch in your code number and the door with the key swings open.  If someone punches in the wrong access code 3 times, the box shuts down and nobody can get in until the association says it's OK.  It's got a smart chip that records which homes each card has opened, and the local board can access who has used their card on each lockbox.

It is spelled Sentrilock.

Yes it is Sentrilock.  It has a credit card 'smart card' that contains a microchip with all the card holders information.  Each agent has a card, and their own PIN.  Each entry is recorded so that if there's a problem you can find out exactly who opened the box, day and time. 

Once the card and PIN are inserted, a compartment opens and there are the keys to the house.  There are one-day codes that can be generated, or contractor codes.  That way if someone from a neighboring association who doesn't have a Smartcard, wants to show your listing, you can give them a specific code to gain access.

In our market there are 2500 Realtors. Our Association REQUIRES EVERY MEMBER to have a Smartcard.  I know that I don't recognize the voices of all 2500 members. With a combination box, ANYONE could call to "show the house" and if you don't know them personally, how do you know that they are a Realtor and not some guy with a truck who'd like to empty out your listing?  It seems to me that the liability exposure and risk of a combo box are way too high!

Because EVERY member of our Association benefits by a common electronic lock box system, the cost of the boxes -+$75.00 per is subsidised  by the Assocation.  Members pay $25.00 and the balance is part of the benefits of membership and covered from dues.  That way non-listing agents, appraisers, inspectors who also benefit from the use, also pay a portion of the cost.

So far we've been THRILLED that we let our SUPRA contract expire, and switched to SENTRILOCK. 

Hope that helps

Karen and Eric - Thanks.
Don't like the fact that if someone messes up on the code that EVERYONE gets locked out.  But the rest sounds good.  Thanks again.

If someone calls me and asks for the code on a combo lock, I always ask for their office code and/or license number.

Nancy,

I'm not familiar with that problem.  I know if I have a brain cramp and enter the wrong PIN several times, it punishes me by giving me a 3-minute time out.  Then if I enter the correct code, I'm in.

I've not had Karen try her card when I have a brain cramp, but I would guess that a different card, with the correct PIN would open it up.

I suspect that there are many who aren't as careful about their combo codes as you are.  For me, they are just an unacceptable, avoidable risk.  But that's just me.