Lessons in permission getting.

[Colorado Kidd]

Having found a lack of old coins in my local parks I set out to gain permission on some old homes in my area that are for sale. Here are some things that I have learned that have worked for me. So far I'm 4 for 5 and the one is a maybe, not a no.

I called the realtors first. Since I am taking their valuable time I offer something in return. I say I will be glad to pick up trash and mow.

Usually they give me the name and number of the owner and I call them. They usually love the idea of me picking up and weed eating. Then I seal the deal by saying "and if you can find one of my holes, I'll pay you $50, and I haven't had to pay out yet". They laugh, but this reassures them that I will be careful without me having to go into a lengthy explanation of my recovery methods. This keeps me on the straight and narrow too, I assure you.

Then I call the realtor back to thank them and offer my services to find property stakes in the future should they need. This gives me an opportunity to ask about other properties.

When I talk to people on the phone I have a big smile on my face. It's hard to sound timid if you have a big you-know-what eating grin on your face.

When I call or meet somebody I say: "I'm Robert Kidd from the San Luis Valley metal detecting club". This gives me something other than just my name to say and helps me transition into asking to hunt their property. This is an unofficial club that consists of me and my 3 kids but they don't know that. Then I just say straight out that I would like to hunt there property for old coins.

I also have made up a card. On the top it says "San Luis Valley Metal Detecting Club"
followed on the next line by "Saving history, one yard at a time" Then It has my name and number. At the bottom of the card I put "Free services: property stake locating and jewelry recovery.

I always feel better when I have something to offer the owner in return. Even if I get a no I offer my free services.

I take my 10 year old daughter along. I feel awkward on the porch by myself.

These techniques have been working for me. I'd love to hear some of your tactics.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[skydiv]

I'D be Carefull about the $50.00, I've had animal did out some of my holes.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

Sounds like a great plan to be on the up & up (rather than taking a quick dip in and helping yourself) As you know, some yards turn out to be lame. Like the yard is completely sterile (been re-sodded sometime earlier?), etc.... Yet you've committed to an hour's mowing and yardwork? Ouch

 

[Green1]

awesome !! if ya get a blank once in a while, big deal....the overall pic is what's gonna pay off,, i also offer a mow to most that i ask,, sometimes it's a 2 hour job,, even with my commercial mowers.. one was an hour and a half, and i got 11 silvers there......the free anything is a great in......

 

[Jim West Pa]

I'D be Carefull about the $50.00, I've had animal did out some of my holes.

Take heed to Skidiv's words Kidd. I'll add to that, stay away from homes that border wooded areas. I have hunted such areas, filled my holes all nice and neat and come back the next day to find everyone of them re-dug.Turns out, in a lot of my holes i found grubs.I just leave the grub in the hole when i filled it back in. During the night a skunk was comin out and rediggin the holes for the grubs.From then on, when i encounter grubs, i toss them into the nearby woods or weeds or just let them lay on the surface.

 

[Colorado Kidd]

Thanks for the advice on the animals. I've never had a problem with that here because we don't have squirrels or skunks but you never know. If I ever get burned I'll stop saying that about the $50. LOL. I havn't had to pay out ever since I've been detecting for 3 years now. And, it gets the point across that I will be extremely careful in just a few words.

 

[julesjunk]

Not to be redundant, but be careful with the $50/hole offer. The only negative interaction I've ever had with a post hunted yard home owner was due to Squirrels deciding that I'd buried mass quantities of walnuts under my plugs. I was dumbfounded when I pulled back up to the yard. Numerous plugs laying everywhere. I've now considered sprinkling a little chili powder on top of my plug in an attempt to discourage said rodents.

Love your approach ideas. Very creative. I'll have to "borrow" some of them.

Regards,
Jules

 

[re-tek]

mow lawn and pickup trash? so you're like $40-50 bucks in services in the hole just to walk in the door? my usual finds on a hunt equal $10 or less face value. with that in mind... lets strike up a deal! i get you yards, you mow them and detect them. i keep any profits made from the lawn services.

sounds like a deal eh?

 

[Colorado Kidd]

The houses I'm talking about have been sitting for a long time and are mostly old fixer uppers. They range from 1890's to the 1930's and unfortunately they need to be weed eated before I can detect. Fortunately the yards aren't big. I'm not trying to start a lawn service. I just want to find some old coins.

 

[Ocean7]

that's a good idea C. Kidd. Gets you on an old property. I would think this would work esp. well with senior citizens. I've used similiar tactics in the past. Whatever gets you on a good property works for me.

 

[desertfox]

Now that's thinking. I like your way of doing things. I'd drop the $50 though. HH and keep at it.

Desertfox