Home Permission Idea

[herbajones]

Hey Guys...What do you think of this?? Some of you have the balls to ask in person by knocking on doors. I FOR ONE DON'T HAVE THEM so I thought as I go through old neighborhood sidewalks and drooling over all the old houses and dieing to get to where the old coins are, I thought that I would type up some flyers and make copies, leave them at their front door explaining exactly what you would like to do and how neat you would be and not to leave any holes...Really go, into detail how it's done so they can rest assured that there will be no damage at all. On the flyer I would describe myself as being retired and widowed just trying to stay busy with a harmless hobby. I would leave my phone number to call if they would agree. Even if only 5 out of 10 respond it would be great. Gosh, all those old houses that have never been checked would be a whole new adventure.

 

[Goes4ever]

I personally do not think it would work because they can't see you, with knocking on a door they can see you and can decide right on the spot if you look scary or not..lol

 

[reltolbert]

Just add a photo of yourself holding your metal detector with your introduction on your flyer.

 

[baspinall]

I think your more likely to get a yes if you are there in person. It's harder to say no to someones face, easy to "not" make a phone call. That said when I knock on doors I am lucky to get one out of ten. I run across a lot of people that say" I have a friend who detects and I only let them do the property". Do I believe this? No, but it's their property.

Brian

 

[mikeothmer]

I will agree , it's the easiest to get permission face to face and it's the hardest for them to turn you down. You will get used to hearing no but you would also be suprised where you get yes answers ! You might try practicing where it's a little easier to get permission, where the rent is a little cheaper. It's still good huntin !

 

[Goes4ever]

I agree it is easy for people to say no on phone and also even easier for them to ignore your flyer and toss in trash. But face to face, people say YES more often. I average 7 out of 10 people telling me yes when I knock doors and ask them face to face. I would think you would be lucky to get 1 person to reply out of 20 flyers

 

[joedirt]

I have not knocked doors yet but I intend to in the future. In some of the older parts of town the lots are real small and the homes are real old.

I have kicked the idea around to go door to door and offer to cut their grass for free if they will let me detect their yard when I'm done mowing.

Sounds like a win win. They get their lawn mowed for free and I get to hunt some real old sites.

It might be worth a try if you don't mind giving a little to get a little.

 

[moonshine]

i would want to see you in person. you sound respectable.

just think of it like this: whats the ABSOLUTE WORST thing that could happen.....

they say "no"....and you walk away.

now in life, that is not bad at all. think about it.

 

[CT Todd]

You have to get over it and do it in person. I'm making a video right now thats about permission and how to get it.

 

[terrywl]

knock on doors AND have a flyer to hand them is an idea. that way they have something tangible in hand and it would make you look "professional". Our club here in San Diego has business cards I put my name and number on.

 

[banditicey]

A friend prepared a flyer and also attached an Indian penny to the flyer when it was a particularly coveted location
Knocking on doors may be the recommended way but personality issues (shyness, etc.) may prevent a person from being that direct
to know oneself leads to no limitations, just thinking outside the box
my current tactic is to talk up detecting and getting referrals as well as approaching those i meet in business or play and
getting the opportunities
which are just now coming available if this rain ever stops
April showers bring May flowers but its MAY and its still raining
Whew..needed that

 

[jeff & Maria]

Knock on the door, when they answer tell them you are from the IRS and confirming the address for a pending investigation. Say " You know I metal detect as a hobby, would you mind if I search your property" You seem like nice folks so I thought I would ask". Bet it would work,... I am kidding of course.

 

[Larry (IL)]

That is exactly right, but ALWAYS be pleasant and thank them for their time. I have had people change their mind after saying no.

 

[raweppler]

I have had a lot of success in yards in my area. I have a business card now and I have on the card my number and I state locate missing jewelry and items. I also state I leave yard as I find it. I have on the back the Metal Detecting Code. I also mention I am Retired Army Veteran.

I also now use neighbors name as an in also. There is a Dr's house I have been searching and it was built in 1860. So when I knock on a home near this house I will mention their name and they let me search their yard.

I get 75% to 80% yeses. You can see some of my yard successes on the Explorer Forum as I have a SE Pro. My friend has an Etrac and I like to read items here as well as the Explorer Forum. As mentioned above all they can do is tell you no. I still leave them a card and let them know I will come back if they change their mind or lose anything I could find.

 

[sgoss66]

Great thread here.

Hey CT Todd, if you could send me a link to that video when you finish it, I'd love it (since I am usually on the Explorer forum, not here).

Just FWIW --

I have been too chicken to knock on strangers' doors, so far, but intend to start. Having said that, what I did try was sending out letters. I found 6 property owners who had old homesites (all early 20th century vacant/abandoned homes). I got a reply, and permission, from two out of six, for what it's worth. I think asking in person will be a higher-percentage option. The one thing I'll note is, the biggest issue I've run into, in the minds of anyone I've ever asked for permission from (friend of a friend type of things -- like I said, I've been too chicken to go in completely "cold") is -- besides the "fear of damage to the lawn" issue, the liability issue. Everyone is so worried about you getting hurt on their property and suing them. I have been asked to sign, and did, a liability waiver in one case, and in another, I offered to draw up and sign one, and STILL was turned down.

Steve

 

[reltolbert]

What if you tell the home owner that he or she can keep 1/2 of all valuable finds that I
find. I would think the home owner would like that. Half is better than nothing.