Is this a scam addressed to a CSI mem...

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Author Message Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1945 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2018 - 02:47 pm:    This Scam sent to me in an email from a fellow CSI member, reads as follows: "I’m not the best at meeting people at conventions or trade shows so I prefer to reach out via email to make the most of my professional association memberships. As a fellow member of CSI, I was hoping to ask a question while introducing myself. Do you think the CDT certification is worthwhile and if you took the exam, any suggestions on studying for it? I am thinking of taking it in Spring 19. I am a Registered Roof Observer (working on the RRC) through the RCI, and I work with Astec Re-Ply Roofing; if I can help in anyway please do not hesitate to ask. If you would like to accept, I will be sending an invitation to connect via LinkedIn also. I appreciate your time and any information you can provide. Thanks, Tony C. Loup (Connect on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/aloup) Regional Director / Registered Roof Observer / IFMA - FMP Astec Re-Ply Roofing P: 800-223-8494 C: 607-222-2404 Astec withstands ponding water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tS5edr5nck “We can extend the life of the existing roofing for a fraction of the cost of conventional roof replacement.” – U.S. Army"" I called this A-hole and let him know I did not appreciate his tactics, and reinterated I will not specify products represented by "professionals" lacking integrity. This idiot laughed, that is when I hung up. If this idiot reaches out to my fellow members, I hope you all respond in the same way. This idiot has no respect for CSI, and this BS about taking the exam to deliver a sales pitch has upset me very much. I hope Colin deletes this "member". Melissa J Aguiar Intermediate Member Username: melissajaguiar Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2015 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2018 - 02:51 pm:    I had exact email about a month ago. I trashed it thinking it was spam. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1738 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2018 - 03:05 pm:    Jerome, Why do you think this email is spam? Tony is a real person, runs and real roofing business and is a member of CSI. I received the same email and told him yes CDT certification is worthwhile and to find a study group through his local chapter. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1947 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2018 - 03:24 pm:    David to me its nothing more than a poor attempt to sell his product, I thought there were rules against that solicitation on 4specs. If he loves being a CSI member so much why not display his achievement, I don't know David his post rubbed me the wrong way and as I said to "Tony" I will not specify his product. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2171 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2018 - 04:15 pm:    I, too, received the same message and responded as David did. I got no further messages. It may indeed be a marketing ploy, since a number of us have received the same message and I assume he has received the same information from at least 2 of us. Tony, you've gotten the answer to your question; you can stop asking it now. Dewayne Dean Senior Member Username: ddean Post Number: 177 Registered: 02-2016 Posted on Thursday, November 01, 2018 - 06:02 pm:    I just deleted the email when it came to me. I never respond to emails from LinkedIn. I don't maintain a profile there to marketed to. David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 275 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Friday, November 02, 2018 - 10:33 am:    Thank you, David Axt, for your take on this. I agree. When I look back on it, many of my best contacts resulted from cold calls or solicitations similar to Tony Loub's. Maintaining the attitude that we have something in common and that we might mutually benefit from a conversation has generally resulted in something positive. I never worry that someone in marketing is going to get one over on me - I'm stronger and smarter than that, so the fear does not govern my interactions. To me, all is fair between 9 and 5. If someone wants to break the ice by discussing the merits of a CDT certificate, why not take a minute to do so? The more CDTs there are, the better chance we have of giving those three letters some widespread credibility. In Tony's case, certification obviously has value. He is one of those rare folks in roof product marketing who has taken the time to earn his RRO certification, something I am studying daily for myself in order to keep my job in 2019. Believe me, the material and requirements are about double that of the CDT, so I have a fair level of respect for those who have accomplished it. I'm calling Tony today to talk about specs, CDT certification, the RRO exam, and roof restoration coatings - not just for me, but for the good of our group. We constantly complain that we are an endangered species, yet we slam the door when we suspect there is a hint of self-interest underlying the question? Come on. TAKE THE STICK OUT! Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1949 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, November 02, 2018 - 11:09 am:    David W. we all have different experiences and value our time in different ways. I seldom have luck on a cold call, so I don't waste my time. Time is precious, as it is there is not enough time in my work days which usually run 10-14 hours long. I have deleted Tony's email and have no intention of future contact with him. David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 276 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Friday, November 02, 2018 - 01:35 pm:    Jerome, of course you are entitled to spend your professional time as you see fit and I am sure your clients receive full value for it. Any ire expressed in my post above was not directed at you specifically, and the moderation of your response demonstrates your professionalism. However, we are a community looking to expand our influence. I will let you know if I discover anything good in my communications with Tony and Astec. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1739 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Friday, November 02, 2018 - 01:45 pm:    I will be very curious to see if the next time Tony Loup contacts us he has "CDT" after his name. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1951 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Friday, November 02, 2018 - 02:20 pm:    David W, I have had my tires slashed, been threatened countless times by construction professionals, and had some of the largest Condo Vultures (Lawyers) in Florida call me and my work every name in the book, nothing said on this forum would ever phase me, I write specs for So Florida Construction, an insane endeavor, as my father would say (with a heavy New York Jewish accent) ITS A LIVING! Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 438 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, November 02, 2018 - 02:41 pm:    I got the email, too. Was his email self promotional? Of course; most communications are. He asked about worth of CDT and how to study and I was glad to send a brief answer. Was my email self promotional? Of course; most communications are. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 753 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Friday, November 09, 2018 - 06:53 pm:    I really don't see the problem with his email at all. What could possibly be the "scam"?