Could not have said it better my self Destin. Thank you.
I’m not a fan of name-calling or accusations, but I don’t mind questions at all. My company happens to be one of my favorite subjects 
Thanks for clearing it up. You have a nice service that i would use if i had the funds. 
Glad your standing your ground on your business model. The market is there to sell used current and legacy parts/panels. I would know, I work for the manufacture.
When we retire a panel, we usually keep replacement boards around for a minimal of 5 years. The cost of building 5,000 panels versus 500 replacement boards does require us to increase our costs and pass it to the dealer. While I might increase the price of the replacement board 20-40% over what it cost normally, our dealers dont squawk because they are invested to serve their customers.
Its a free market, especially when it comes to old replacement parts. I know we stopped building FCI 7200 replacement parts 3 years ago and the ebay/craigslist prices went through the roof. Now a replacement power supply or loop card will cost about the price of a new panel (S3 Series or E3 Series).
To the OP, good luck on your business. Keep hunting and keeping these fire panels up and running!
I thought installers were not allowed to put up used equipment.
What are the main causes failure of panels that come in for repair? Bad capacitors?
2 things. Lighting/Static and Poor Technicians
The repairs that come back to the factory usually have one or two things damaged. PTC’s, TVS’s, or resistors.
Plug 24VDC where 5V RS485 goes, pop goes the PTC! Bad technician bad!
Get a static discharge on the SLC or NAC output, it will heat up or separate the TVS’s.
Usually both of these are simple fixes with the right equipment.
haha this!
I’ve been sick the past week so I haven’t been in the office, but I am going to reopen the mystery boxes for sale in the next week or so. Prepare to be underwhelmed.
I remember when you first did this on DFA. I’m excited for their return.
Ooh! I might have to get my hands on a few of those boxes! Let us know when they are back!
I never got a chance to get any off DFA when you did them then, i cant wait!
p.s. This is still in progress. I am going to an alarm expo on Thursday. I want to try and include some goodies from there.
Sounds like fun!! 