Do you knock doors? >> HELP US NOOBS THAT DON'T ! :-)

[FooserPaul]

ok all... I know some here knock doors...

Can you tell us the hows, why's, when's... What has and hasn't worked...

Specifically, how do you introduce yourself and how do you ask??

What are %'s and what are common objections and your replies...

Thank you for any assistance and sharing with the rest of us...

Paul

 

[Hawkeye Jim]

The majority of the people I ask are aquantances of some type and that usually helps! But on occasion, I have asked strangers and they usually are receptive --- the best way is to just be yourself, explain your hobby (passion) to them, and most people are receptive --- once in awhile you'll run into a real rascal who will flat out tell you "NO".................I still thank em and move on.

Myself, I'm a small town guy and I think people from smaller communities are more receptive to letting someone onto their property.

Like with anything, you'll never know until you ask.................Jim.

 

[pointer80]

I have to agree with Jim I live in a smaller community also and think you have a better shot at it in the smaller towns. One thing I would suggest is make sure you are dressed presentable and not offensive to anyone. For example if you live in the next town do not wear a shirt that has a teams logo from the rival school(lol). Really though make sure you are presentable and be very polite no matter what the answer is. I also would suggest being clean shaven and as profesional as possible. I also made out bussines cards to hand out with contact info on them and liability waiver on back. I think in some cases it eases the property owners mind knowing they can contact you if nessasary. If you put yourself in thier shoes they do not know you from adam or what your true intentions are. A name and number will do wonders sometimes. Here is a pic of my bussines card front and back. I think a 100 cost around 12.00 Hope this helps and HH.

 

[Goes4ever]

I knock doors every single weekend, 98% of my hunting is done at old farm houses where I just knock and ask, here is how I do it, and I have this memorized and say the exact same thing every time

knock, knock.....lol

good morning, my name is Terry and I have a hobby of metal detecting. I enjoy searching around yards like yours for old coins, tokens, buttons etc.
I was driving by noticed your house and was wondering if you minded if I detected your yard.

nine out of ten times, they say "sure go ahead" and away I go. Seldom they might ask stuff like how will you get the item from the ground, then I explain I will cut a horseshoe shaped plug flip it back, retreive the item then flip the plug right back. I NEVER EVER use the word "DIG" to a homeowner, I always say cut a plug and retreive the item.

sometimes they might act interested and ask things like, what do you normally find? do you sell your finds etc.......

I explain to them almost all old farm yards will have wheat pennies, indian pennies, sometimes silver dimes, various relics, such as buttons, tokens, etc.
and I also say that I never sell my finds, this is a hobby, and not a money making adventure.

but I'd venture to say 80% of the people who give me permission just say sure go ahead and that is the end of the talk, they close the door, and I start detecting.

It is extrememly easy, as I said I do it every weekend.

 

[pointer80]

Terry, That is very very good advice as far as never use the word dig to a property owner. Cut and plug are the key words there. I've only been metal detecting for about a year and my biggest fear was people would turn me down and not let me on there property and I would be stuck hunting only public property and tot lots but, I was more than pleasantly suprised. Most people are very accepting of metal detectorist. I in fact started asking for permmission before I even had my detector just to make sure. It sure does not pay to be shy in this hobby.

 

[Goes4ever]

pointer80, I agree metal detecting is NOT a hobby for shy people if you want to get onto good private land you simply cannot be shy.

 

[montanagold]

Goes hit it on the head, That is the same way I ask permission. It helps that I present myself as the Administrator of the nursing home so people here can associate me with a long time business. Its funny because being the only towns nursing home I am privy to some great places to hunt I often get permission from someone who is admitting their relative, All I have to do is mention what I love doing and they often say well you should check out my place. Otherwise I will drive around town during my lunch hour and since I am already dressed in slacks and a button up and look professional so don't seem offensive, Covers up my tattoos alsoThen I stop at a house and ring the bell, tell them who I am and what I do. Then I mention that my hobby is detecting older yards for coins and relics, Then I go into asking if their yard has ever been detected and that I was looking to possibly gain permission. After they have said yes I then tell them that I have had many people state that they never even knew I was there, and that if I find anything of value its theirs to keep. ( most say that I can keep everything since I'm doing the work.) Anyway that's how i do it and get a yes most often. The thing that I noticed is that our fear of rejection gets in the way and often prevents us from just doing it. Worst they can say is no, right?

 

[Bill M]

I've been following Terry's (Goes4ever) advice and it works. I've been surprised with the number of yes's versus no's I have received. Also I've had neighbors stop and want to no whats going on, got a few good leads that lead to a few additional hunt sites. Home owners that are interested in what you are doing can share all kind of history about the area.

 

[Chris(SoCenWI)]

Most public areas have been hit hard. Door knocking is the way to go.

I use a dull 8 inch screwdriver to dig. Don't show up with a shovel, Ditch Witch, or a big ugly knife. Make sure you digging techniques are up to snuff. Don't cut a full plug, do a half moon or a slit. I wish Jim Ott still made the periscope probe. Allows you to precisely locate the target before you dig.

Don't dig in dry conditions. No matter how careful you are you will leave a brown spot. Better to not detect; wait until ground conditions improve. If you do a good job word of mouth will be your friend. Only takes one yahoo that leaves trash or plugs that get sucked up by a lawnmower to ruin it for the next guy. Had this happen way too many times.

I often hunt road construction or terraces and when I see someone outside I'll walk over and ask for permission. Actually do this much much more often than knocking on doors. I think it is better than disturbing someone in their house. They may think you are a religious nut or a salesman or something else that puts them in a negative frame of mind before they answer the door. But I will still knock if I never see anyone outside.

Great advise from everyone here. I find that small towns are better.

 

[DAN03USMC]

Nice tips. It is a little harder up here in the Northeast. We are all a bunch of sour yankees. I have been all around the country and people from the NE are just different. When you get out of your car and approach someone in their yard, they look at you like you are carrying an axe. I mean it. They get into a defensive posture, and give you the stink eye. It takes a little confidence to break through that. Having a good opening line to put them at ease is the key. I wear my work clothes ( I am a Plumber) They always....always read the company loggo on the front. It seems to put them at ease. Everybody needs a good plumber Once you break the ice, people are much more friendly. I put people into two camps. First group) they think metal detecting is silly and can't believe I would spend so much time doing it. They see no perceived gain and let me do what ever I want. Second group) they are so afraid that I will find something of value, they would rather it rot in the ground than let me have it. Fortunately the second group is pretty rare. The other thing I have going for me is that 1700's house are a dime a dozen around here. If one says no, I'll just ask their neighbor. it is kinda like asking a girl on a date. What do you really have to lose? Good luck! Dan

 

[jbow]

Are you from Boston? My wife went there once for some software training. She said it was beautiful and full of history but the streets are narrow and everyone drives like they are late for the show and they all yell at each other while doing it... I have a theory though. I think it is because they have no iced tea there.

I used to work with a guy from Boston.. or Baastun... I have never met a more negative cynical person in my life. He was a good guy but everything that came out of his mouth was a complaint... but after you got to know him it was funny.

Yeah, I can't imagine knocking on doors at a place like that...


Good luck to ya... if you get tired of it come on down to GA where people wave at people they have never seen when they drive. Not in Atlanta but in rural GA... everyone waves when they pass someone on a country road.. especially if you're driving a pickup... people wave from the front porch too... lots of Jeds and Grannies around here. WSB radio in Atlanta.. the call letters mean Welcome South Brother.

J

 

[pointer80]

Hey Dan, Great advice on the work wear. That is some of what I was talking about in my post. Avoid walking up to someones house with a BEER shirt on or a shirt with the zig-zag mans face on it. It probably will not get you know where unless you just happen to hit the town drunks house. I work at the local university and they do alot for the community(revenue wise) so I wear my issued work wear with the university logo when ever I can. Do not know if it helps but sure it does'nt hurt.

 

[Ohio bud]

Lots of great advice on approaching homeowners. I really like the business card idea and will get some made. I approach the house without any equipment. " I am sorry to bother you. My name is Bud Kaczor. My hobby is metal detecting and I would like to use my detector in your yard. I do not dig holes, I cut a plug and you will never know that I was here." If I don't get a yes, it is usually that I want to detect the yard myself or my son detects. I have a friend who is very successful at getting permission. He carries a display case with some of his finds. He also will ask why if the answer is No and since there is really no good reason, gets the OK. You just can't be afraid of getting a NO. If you ask enough, you will get better at it and get more YESES. It isn't like you are going to die if you get a negative response.

Ohio Bud

 

[Goes4ever]

and a couple of times I got told "no" and I gave them a goofy smile and said awwww Pleeeease!........and believe it or not a couple said alright...go ahead!
so sometimes you have to pull that one out of your pocket! That works best on ladies

 

[DAN03USMC]

Julien, your post cracked me up. Do you know me and were you talking about me? Yeah, we are a strange lot. We have a dark sense of humor and alot of people don't get it. Think of all the famous comedians that are from the Boston area. We are a little too direct, we don't beat around the bush. I know people who have lived on the same street for 30 years and never talked to one-another.
My family came to this country in 1647 and we have been causing trouble around here ever since. The family homestead is still there and a direct descendent still lives in the house. Sometime soon I will have to go up there and ask if I can detect that yard. although it is alot harder to make friends around here, people generally stay friends for a long time.

 

[DJB50156]

Wow, you all just answered a question that I posted just a few minutes ago. Thanks.

 

[tmanfromtexas]

Thanks to all that posted on this thread. I spent 3 and a half years hunting Chicago and NW Indiana parks with the etrac and found a lot of nice old coins, but now that I am back in Texas deep east Texas, I will have to try this as there are no parks in the area and this part of Texas has been settled since the early 1800s. TMAN...