Supra – Monthly Lease or Yearly Lease?

Am I talking about leasing a house? Leasing an office or warehouse? Nope and nope. I’m talking about leasing the Supra keys. Now is the time to be thinking about this. I mentioned this a few blogs ago, but it bears repeating.

ECAR was notified today that Supra will be pulling the data for the annual Active key lease renewal on July 20^th. This means a couple of things to Active key users.

The first thing it means is that you want to decide now if you’re going to renew the Active key for another year. If not, return it to ECAR now. Be sure to get a receipt. Do NOT walk out of ECAR without a receipt for the cancelled key.

If you are going to renew the lease, you’ll receive the renewal bill by mail and by email directly from Supra. You can pay it online by going to the Supra website, you can mail a check to them along with the invoice, or you can pay it here at ECAR. All Active key lease renewals must be paid digitally by credit/debit card or by check. No cash!

The other decision to make is possibly upgrading to the eKey service. This is the key service available on your phone. Any iPhone, Android phone, most Blackberry’s and a few Windows phones can be set up with the key software.

Now is the best time to make that change, before you pay out the full year’s lease for the Active key. The cost of the two key types is the same in the long run. The difference is the lease term. The eKey service is paid monthly by credit/debit card, and the Active key lease is paid yearly in advance. But it’s the same total at the end of the year.

What are the pluses and minuses? With the Active key, you have a separate device that needs to be regularly charged. I recommend overnight, every night, to make sure it’s good to go. You have no monthly charges, but at the same time, you can’t cancel midyear. Well, you can, but you probably won’t get a refund of the annual lease. Supra’s contract does not require them to do that.

With the eKey, you pay monthly, so you can cancel at any time. Just keep in mind that if you cancel the key account completely, and then change your mind later, there will most likely be another activation fee to start a new account.

Since the eKey service uses your phone, if your phone dies, or gets broken or lost, you have no key. But how long are you going to go without a phone? Probably not very long. Oh, yeah, in case you’re wondering, the little adapter/fob that you use with the phone to open the lockboxes is useless without the key software on the phone.

So in a nutshell (we’ll make it a peanut shell because I’m allergic to tree nuts), you can renew the Active key, you can cancel it, or you can upgrade it. Just let us know what you want to do.

Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle. The cow jumped over the moon. I’m done.

Questions? (That last part is for Michaela who’s waiting for me to finish writing this as we speak). Comment on this blog or email susan@ecaor.com.

Susan Beck, MLS Director
Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS
Fort Walton Beach, FL

Tip of the Week – Supra Active Key Billing

Do you have the Supra key service that’s on your phone? Then this message is not for you. This is ONLY for those of you who have the small white device with an antenna as your key, also known as the Active key. The annual lease renewal is just around the corner.

The lease for the Active key is renewed each year in August. The billing is usually done in late July or early August. So June is a good time to review your key service and make a decision.

What decision is that? You have three choices: renew the Active key for another year, upgrade to the eKey service on your phone, or cancel the service.

We don’t know yet what the exact amount for the renewed lease, but it will probably be about $200. If you opt for the insurance for the Active key, there will be a separate additional renewal bill of $25. You can pay that at ECAR by credit/debit card or check, you can mail a check to Supra, or you can go online to the Supra website.

If you choose to upgrade to the eKey service, you must make an appointment with the ECAR MLS staff. This upgrade includes a complete change of the key assignment and billing process. It’s not a lengthy process but it does take some time. While there’s no cost to upgrade to the eKey, there is a monthly lease for the service, rather than an annual lease of the device. There’s also the purchase of an adapter which allows the phones to communicate with the lockboxes. That’s about $58.

If you choose to cancel the key service, you’ll need to return the Active key to ECAR. We’ll turn off the service and give you a receipt. Please do not leave your Active key at the front desk without getting a receipt. If you have someone else drop the key off for you, we’ll give them a handwritten receipt and then email an actual receipt to you. This will let you know that the account has been actually cancelled. Then and only then, you’re no longer responsible for the key.

Also keep in mind that if you cancel the key account, and then change your mind later on, there may be a $50 activation fee to start a new key account.

Questions about the different key services or costs? Call us at 850-244-2411 or email MLS@ecaor.com.

Susan Beck, MLS Director
Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS
Fort Walton Beach, FL

REALTOR Safety Month and your Supra Key?

September is Realtor Safety Month. What does this have to do with your Supra key? You might be surprised!

How many other professions require someone to go into an empty house with strangers? Or go out to a remote location with someone they barely know? Not very many.

As much as I dislike thinking about it, it happens. There’s a story in one of the local newspapers on a regular basis about a Realtor being injured, or worse. In our area! Not the big cities across the country, but right here in the Panhandle!

Sure, you want to make that sale, and make that contact, but your safety still needs to a big factor. You can’t close that sale if you’re not around, can you?

So what does your Supra key have to do with Realtor Safety? There’s one thing for the Active key users, and something else for eKey users.

The Active key, the little white key with the antenna, has a feature that many agents using the key don’t know about. It’s not a sure fire guarantee option, but it may help.

On the face of the Active key is a button with the GE logo. GE doesn’t own Supra anymore, but the button hasn’t changed yet. But that’s besides the point.

This button triggers an Alert to be sent out the people of your choice.

Step one is to login into the Supra website, the same site you go to look up lockbox showings and other things. Go into Settings and look for the Alert feature. Select your recipients using phone number or email address. Enter the message of your choice. There’s a default message that says something like “call me at ___-_____” but you can change that if  you want.

Here’s a big tip on this one. Pick someone who regularly checks their email or text messages!! It won’t help you much if they don’t pick up the message for 3 hours!

Step 2. If you’re at a showing or appointment and you get that feeling, listen to your instincts. Your guts, your intuition, whatever you want to call it. But if you get that feeling and you don’t want to be obvious in looking for help, turn your key on, and hold down the GE button. After a few seconds, the screen will indicate that the messages have been sent.

What’s actually happened is the Active key connects to the nearest cell tower, which hooks up with the Supra website. Based on the sending key serial number, the Supra website sends your selected message to the recipients set up.

It’s not a 100% guaranteed feature. You might be out of cell range, your recipients may not get the message. So you don’t want to put your entire safety plan on this alone. It’s one option that you should include with others.

So what about the eKey system? Unfortunately the eKey program doesn’t have a similar option. But because it’s on your smart phone, you know there’s going to an app you can use. After just a quick look on my Android, I saw one called Safety Siren with Lights. There were a ton more, some personal safety, others for phone safety, passwords, etc. Check it out.

Another important tip on your phone is to have an ICE set up. In Case of Emergency. Make it someone you can count on or who you want emergency support people to reach on your behalf.

The most important advice that I’ve heard myself is to always have a plan. And have a back-up plan. Never leave your home or office unless someone else knows where you’re going, who you’ll be meeting, and when you expect to be done.

Another one that I’ve heard several times is to not allow your car to be blocked in the driveway. Let them pull in first, or park on the street. I wouldn’t have thought of that before I heard it. But it’s an important tip.

There’s a class on Realtor Safety coming up soon with a well known instructor, Andrew Wooten. Watch for info on this class in the Education updates and the Buzz.

If you have any questions about the Active key alert feature, call us at 850-244-2411 or email susan@ecaor.com.

Susan Beck, MLS Director
Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS
Fort Walton Beach, FL

Tip of the Week – Active key or eKey?

As we get into the lease renewal period for the Supra Active key, we see again that many keyholders don’t know the difference between an Active key and an eKey. Does it really make a difference what you call the key you have? What’s the big deal? In terms of support, there’s a huge difference. In cost, not so much.

We want to provide the best, most efficient level of support we can. One way we can do that is to NOT give you the wrong instructions on how to do something with your key. Especially if you’re asking questions about cost or payment processes.

Here’s the breakdown of the two key types:

The Active key is the white key with an infra-red sensor and a small antennae. It is billed on an annual basis paid in advanced. The updates on this key are done automatically every 10 minutes using a built-in radio connecting the nearest cell phone tower. This key needs to be kept charged! If the battery in the key runs down completely, you need to call the KIM Voice number, ECAR, or Supra to get an update code. The first manual update will get the key back into the automatic update cycle. Keep it charged!!

The eKey is the service that works on most current smartphones: iPhone, Android, Blackberry. There’s also a short list of Windows smartphones that the service will work with. Click here for the latest list right from Supra. Any phone that does not have built-in infrared ability will need an accessory called an adapter or fob.

The eKey service is billed monthly, through an automatic payment from a debit/credit card. This service usually requires an adapter or fob to give the phone infra-red ability. ECAR sells the devices when the eKey service is set up. Supra has an adapter for the iPhone that plugs into the power port on the phone. The fob, using batteries for power, is a similar device that works with the Android or Blackberry phones and connects to the phone by Bluetooth.

The total yearly cost for both key types is the same. Even between insurance for the Active key and the purchase price of the adapter/fob, the two keys balance out.

So then it just comes down to personal choice. If you have one of the applicable smartphones and have been thinking about it, or are thinking about it now, call us.

To make sure we have the right accessory on hand AND that we have someone available to help you, please call us to make an appointment. If you stop in while you’re in the area and want to ask questions or set up an appointment, we’ll be happy to help you. But if you want the upgrade right then without an appointment, we may have to say no. Sorry.

If you have questions, please call us at 850-244-2411, or email susan@ecaor.com, tim@ecaor.com, or MLS@ecaor.com.

Susan Beck, MLS Director
Emerald Coast Association of REALTORS
Fort Walton Beach, FL

SupraWeb Login Changes

Next Tuesday, March 20, Supra will make enhancements to the SupraWEB login which will complete the move off of the GE Single Sign-On (SSO) system.  The new login site is more intuitive and a simpler user interface.

For current users of SupraWEB, the change is very minor.  The login page will look slightly different, but the agents’ User ID and Password will not change.  When you log in to SupraWEB you will be taken to a new page where you can login as you have before. A screenshot of the new login page is below.

 If you have any problems logging into the SupraWeb site, please call Supra Support at 1-877-699-6787.

 

 

What’s YOUR Supra key number?

Hi again!  Welcome to m cubed/Monica’s MLS Moment/M3.

Every Supra key has a serial number.

You’ll need to know that number if you ever call Supra for support, call Supra’s KimVoice line for an update code, or call another association to see if your key is in their database (so you can access their agent’s lockboxes).

But you don’t have to memorize that (yet another!?!) number.  Here’s where you can find it:

• ActiveKEY – on the back of the key
• Blackberry– open the eKEY program; tap the menu button (that’s the one that looks like a blackberry); scroll to “About” (notice at the top of the page that comes up that there are 2 tabs “eKEY” and “Field Support”?)
  • “eKEY” gives you your key serial #
  • “Field Support” gives you the Supra Customer Support phone #, their website address, and their mailing address
• iPhones and Android devices– open the eKEY program; tap the menu button; scroll to the bottom of the icons and tap the one with a question mark (the “About” icon)
  • your key serial # is towards the top of the screen
  • if you scroll down you will find Supra’s Customer Support phone #–it may be listed as “Hotline”

If you have any questions or need help finding your key’s serial number, call ECAR MLS:  (850) 244-2411 – we’re here to help you (24/7)…let us.

Monica Dix, ECAR MLS/SUPRA Support Tech

Monica’s MLS Moment #3 (m cubed #3)

Welcome (again) to “Monica’s MLS Moment” (“m cubed”)!  Today’s topic?  I’m going in a direction other than talking about citations.

This week, it’s about your Supra key and what it CAN do.  We all know Supra keys open Supra lockboxes.  And Supra lockboxes have the keys to the house/condo/etc. that let agents in to show that listing.

What you may not know, until you’re right in front of it, is that your key canNOT open a lockbox belonging to another association’s agent…UNLESS you have sent in “the form”.  For our three surrounding associations—Pensacola, Bay County, and Franklin/Gulf County—there are forms that will allow YOUR key to work on THEIR agent’s lockboxes.  Where are those forms, you ask?

• go to our MLS home page & look in the green menus (on the left side of the page)
• scroll down to the “Forms” section
• click on the “Key Reciprocal Forms” link
• click on each of the first 3 links (that start “Emerald Coast Association to…”)
• print out each form, fill it out, and fax it to the number on the form
• DO send in each one because even if you think you won’t be showing property in the Franklin/Gulf County area (that includes Chipola), agents from ALL of our surrounding associations have reciprocal listings in our area…and if you haven’t sent in the form to register your key in their database, you are not getting into their lockbox on that property in, say, Destin…no sir/ma’am!
• FYI, when you do send in the forms,  you may get a call from that association telling you to take your key in to ECAR to get it programmed so that it will work on their lockboxes
  • not necessary—keys are automatically programmed at ECAR to be able to reciprocate
  • you just need to fill out the forms to get your key’s information in their database
  • and the most VERY IMPORTANT FYI:  it takes an association 1-3 business days to process your information so do not (I cannot stress this enough…DO NOT!) wait until the day you want to show a listing in their area to send in the form

And that’s it!  Easy, breezy, and done with a mere fax.  Could it BE any simpler?  Well, possibly…if there was some automated process to actually do all that for you without you having to do anything at all.  But if there were such a system, wouldn’t it be picking the winning PowerBall numbers for me, too?  Just saying…

ECAR MLS:  we’re here to help you…let us.

Monica Dix, ECAR MLS/SUPRA Support Tech

eKey Service Level – Professional or Basic?

If I asked the typical Realtor if they would prefer professional or basic service, they would probably answer “professional”. Of course, the best service available is always best. In the case of the Supra eKey service, that might not be true!

This message applies only to eKey users and does NOT affect Active key users.

Last month, Supra announced the Professional service level was available for IPhone and Android eKey users. Even though I usually want the very best for ECAR members, I didn’t jump on this offer. Here’s why.

Basic Service:

• Costs $15.33 plus tax per month
• Opens the key container and shackle of Iboxes
• Can program Iboxes
• Updates automatically

Professional Service

• Costs $23.95 plus tax per month
• Opens the key container and shackle of Iboxes
• Can program Iboxes
• Updates automatically
• eData (limited MLS listings)*
• Showing notices**

* Any cell phone (smart or otherwise) with Internet access can go to http://mobile.ecarmls.com to access the mobile version of the live MLS website (for FREE!).

** SupraWeb allows any keyholder to receive showing notices by email (for FREE!).

Long story made short: I don’t personally recommend the Professional service level. It costs more for features that are available for free from other sources. There is the convenience factor, all of that in one spot, but is that worth an extra $8 per month?

If you have any questions about the Supra key and lockbox services, please call us at 850-244-2411, or email susan@ecaor.com.

Supra Quick Start Guides

Jane Doe, ECAR Realtor: Susan, how do I find out what the CBS code is for my lockbox?Susan Beck, ECAR MLS/Support: Good question, Jane…  We frequently get questions on how to do certain functions on the key system: emergency updates, inputting CBS codes using an Android phone, reading lockbox information, etc. After doing extensive research on Supra’s website, and delving into file folders and emails, we’ve put together a collection of current Supra Quick Start Guides. Most of you would have received a version of these documents when you were assigned your key, but for some, that was years ago, and there may be new guides that have recently been released. These guides will answer some basic, and some not so basic, questions about how to fully use your Supra key and Iboxes, no matter which key type or phone that you’re using. Click below to view or print the Quick Start Guide of your choice. Active Key Palm/Windows Smartphones Blackberry Smartphones IPhones Android Smartphones (any smartphone using the Android operating system) Supra Ibox If you have any questions regarding the Supra keybox system, please call us at 850-244-2411, or email susan@ecaor.com.

Active Key Alerts

Supra has enabled an Alert feature on all ECAR Active keys. The new Active key Alert feature allows Realtors with an Active key to send a pre-defined email or SMS text message to up to 3 selected contacts. The Realtor must first enable the feature on KIMWeb and enter the desired text message to transmit, along with the contact email address(es).

Follow these instructions to turn this feature on.

• Log into SupraWeb, and go to Settings.
• Click Active Key Alerts from the Quick Links menu.
• Read and accept the End User License Agreement (EULA).
• Choose Enable Service, Enter up to 3 names and email addresses,
• Enter a custom message. A default message will be already entered but you can modify or replace this message with one of your own.
• Click Save.

The Alert feature is now set up, and each of your contacts will be sent an introduction message to let them that they are your Alert contact.

When you press and hold the Alert button for 3 seconds, the key will attempt to transmit the pre-defined text message to Supra’s Active key servers. Upon receipt, the Active key servers will then forward the message to the email contacts, as defined by your Alert settings.

Availability of this Alert feature is dependent upon availability of one or more of the following:

• Cell coverage in the area where the Realtor is located when pressing the Alert button
• Availability and up-time of the Supra servers
• Availability of the email and cellular networks across which the message is transmitted prior to reaching the intended recipients.

If the Active key is not within cellular coverage, the key will display a message that it is outside cell coverage, and will transmit the message as soon as cell coverage has been acquired. Once the Alert message is received by the Supra Servers, an acknowledgement will be sent to the Active key and the backlight will flash for 10 seconds.

Supra does not guarantee delivery or acknowledgement of the Alert message, and cannot provide indication to the sender when the Alert message has been received by the intended recipients. The Alert feature is not a safety device and should not be relied upon in emergency situations.

If you have any questions about the Supra Active key Alert feature, please call 850-244-2411, or email susan@ecaor.com.