Getting permission and detecting for profit

[Hawkeye]

This has probably been brought up before and I apologize if I am duplicating a previous thread. However, I am curious to know what methods are used to get permission to hunt someone's property. Does anyone ever offer to split their finds with the property owner? Do you get that permission in writing? Most of the time the things I consider a treasure are gladly given up by the property owner.

With that said, I would hate to dig something with a real monetary value and not have a "pre-approved" plan on dealing with it.

Finally, has anyone ever had any luck being paid to metal detect? I have considered offering to detect a property for a small fee. The property owner would get to keep any finds and I might make a little extra to buy some accessories. I know there isn't a lot of money to be made by doing this but, it might work.

 

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[jeff of pa]

I am curious to know what methods are used to get permission to hunt someone's property.

I wait to see them outside, Walk up, Start a Conversation,
Introduce Myself & ask.

Does anyone ever offer to split their finds with the property owner?

ONLY as a Last Resort. most of the times the Property owners will
Jokingly say "Any GOLD BARS we Split. Which, I smile & say
"Absolutely"

Do you get that permission in writing? Most of the time the things I consider a treasure are gladly given up by the property owner.

AGAIN ; Only as a Last Resort. Or IF they Insist.
I will under some circumstances, Ask IF they feel I should have permission on me. But Normally, I just write their name on My Scratch pad, I carry, In case I'm questioned.
Personally IF a Stranger walked up to me and asked me to sign something, I'd look at them with Suspicion.
and would Fear they may do the same.

I would hate to dig something with a real monetary value and not have a "pre-approved" plan on dealing with it.

The Reason I get Permission, & Don't Offer to Split.
& Hope they Don't seariously
ask to Have half.

Finally, has anyone ever had any luck being paid to metal detect? I have considered offering to detect a property for a small fee. The property owner would get to keep any finds and I might make a little extra to buy some accessories. I know there isn't a lot of money to be made by doing this but, it might work.

I Never Ask for payment. I Have Asked for Permission to have
what Isn't Being Looked for at the time.

and to search other properties they own in Return.

I also Accept "Donations" For Batteries, But NEVER State a Price.
My PERSONAL Belief is this would Ruin My Enjoyment of Detecting as a Hobbie.

 

[bk]

I have heard of getting permission, but never heard of detecting for profit. LOL.
When I detect on private property, I am only looking for coins and stuff, not caches or buried payrolls.
I never offer to split with the property owner. The way I see it, I am doing this for fun. If they assume that I am doing it to make money, I would rather not detect there. I do, however, offer to show them what I find and will gladly give them a token (no pun intended) of my finds.
I think that offering to make a split before you start to detect tends to make the property owner suspicious that there may be "treasure" buried on the property. (Thats just my opinion).
Be open and friendly and you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[Burdie]

I agree with the others it is a hobbie for me. I don't look at it as making money or being rich on a great find. Burdie

 

[EDDE]

detecting for benefits maybe such as finding something like a $200 coin selling it then using the zort to but goodies for detecting coils,diggers,etc pretty much on that page with jeff dont offer to give them half of what you dug thats ridiculous you did the research ,the leg work drove there , bought the batteries ,the machine, asked them , dug the targets.then here take half, DUDE, no. if they ask for a token of what you found give them something, also if they dont ask be a nice guy and lay something on them they will think more of you also ...by the way go to a coin shop and buy some .75 or a dollar a piece old buffs that are all rusty etc keep them in your pouch and when the time comes give them a few if you dont find ne thing to good then they may pass the word on to you of someone they know that they might like you to detect there property...

 

[suwannee pirate]

I totally agree that asking anybody to sign anything is a turn off usually a verbal OK is sufficient. Sometimes insurance companies will hire out recovery efforts if there is a large claim on a piece of jewelry that should be recoverable.Be forwarned that your efforts may be in vain though as sometimes the jewelry is not really lost ,just claimed so. If you are getting paid on recovery then the deck is stacked against you as there may be nothing to find .I feel its more fun to do it for fun and not put a price tag on it. Most times I recovered for someone I just handed it over and said here you go and that was that. If they offer a reward afterwards ,take it,that makes them feel good too. Good Luck Bob

 

[jeff of pa]

also if they dont ask be a nice guy and lay something on them they will think more of you also ...by the way go to a coin shop and buy some .75 or a dollar a piece old buffs that are all rusty etc keep them in your pouch and when the time comes give them a few if you dont find ne thing to good then they may pass the word on to you of someone they know that they might like you to detect there property...

Excellent advice I should have added.
I have done this on occasion also.
Especially when I found some Nice Items.

One guy (I lost count of the Gold Rings, I found on
His Property, & he NEVER Asked for even one)
I gave a Morgan Dollar (Not a found item, bought
for $6.00)
The appreciation on his face and his immediate
change of subject to places I should search, told me
a Little "Greasing" goes a long way :P

 

[stoney56]

dekalb33, it must have been you I followed. I checked one property and the owner showed me a couple of IH's and a merc. Said the property had already been searched but to go ahead---zilch, nada. Just a few mems. Thanks alot bud! LOL J/K

 

[EDDE]

you can take the boy out of the city but not the city out of the boy. what do you expect i grew up on the fringes of chicago,were the people vote early and often even when they're dead...

 

[Sandman]

I charge $50.00 an hour, payed in advance, to search for lost jewelry at a beach or on the ground when I am called and have to drive to the location. I have searched lots longer for free having not found the item yet. I make it clear that I may not find it at all too. If I myself can't take the job, I call another detectorist I can trust to return the item. There is NO profit in this as my time is valuable as is my gas and car up keep. If I am already at the beach, I will hunt for free since it is fun just to find something for someone.

Many times people just want to see the "nerd" looking for something that isn't there, like their lost Rolex or gold ring. Depending on how I am asked to search for something at a state park for example, I tell the people to get my card from the Ranger and call me. Then I know the lose is real and I will gather the group of The Search & Recovery Team to look for it. Items found this way are returned.

On gaining permission to search a property, I am clean and presentable when I approach the land owner. I never offer to split the finds, but will do so if asked. Many people just want to know what you found as they are curious. I pick up any trash I find or dig up and dispose of it where the land owner wants. I carry written permission slips with me and offer them if they ask for one, otherwise it's verbal. I don't know what I'd do if I find a gold bar. It's to heavy to hide in your back pocket........I have split a cache with a landowner once and he thought one was on his property. Part of a find is better then none at all. It wasn't tons of money, but fun to retrieve. There was a lot to this answer than I at first thought.

 

[jon43]

i have had some people , seeing me detect in lots come over to me and ask me to find there land stakes were they would want to see were there land started and end,ed compared to the people next store to them. and some offered me 10$ up to 25$. i would tell them i would try and do this but would not take payment. most of the time i found there stakes. and then i ask to hunt there yard and they always said yes. one time i found a guys stakes went over two feet in to another guys yard. hope i did not start a fight on that one happy hunting