Letters & Contracts?

[MAINE HILLS HUNTER]

Letters & Contracts?

Does anybody mail letters and/or contracts to people asking permission to detect on their property? I was curious about the response that you get.

I just started mailing these out to people with a self addressed stamped envelope for people to return the permission slip/contract back to me.

Does anybody else do this?

What kind of response do you get?

 

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[Sandman]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

When I hunted dry land, I used to hand deliver my introduction in person so the land owner could meet me. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

 

[MAINE HILLS HUNTER]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

When I hunted dry land, I used to hand deliver my introduction in person so the land owner could meet me. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

Why don't you hunt dry land anymore?

 

[Dick from IA]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

Any one have a copy of a Contract they use when approaching a land owner? Would be helpful to see some ideas!

I wonder if land owners would tend to think they're being "set up" when being approached by a detectorist with Contract in hand. i.e. potential robbery, etc.

Good topic, Iowa Hunter. I'll keep following this one

DFIU (Dick from IA)

 

[RON (PA)]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

I have used a permission letter once, so far. It did not contain a contract. I was just asking for permission. I included a self addressed stamped envelope too. Never heard from the guy. At least he could have mailed a "NO" back to me. Oh well, you live and learn.

I may try sending a letter to another land owner in the future.

 

[jeff of pa]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

I have sent out a Few requests.

Except in cases where, landowners Sell Permits to be on their land,

I only had one Posative response from Letters.
If they Don't see you, & your not looking them in the eyes
when your asking. it's easirer to Ignore you.

Never

send a contract or even ask someone to sign one.
IF they bring up Liability first, it is Best to say something like

" I take respnsability for myself. I'v never Blamed someone
else for my Stupidity. IF Necessary I will sign a Waiver."

IF they say they don't have one or ask if you have one after that,
then it's OK. but Never make anyone Think of all the
Crooked reasons you could be insisting on a Contract.

I for one, would never sign a contract from a complete stranger
unless it's to search Their Land if someone asked me to sign a contract giving them permission for anything of mine my answer would be no.

On Permission Slips.

I never ask them to even sign a permission Slip. it can still be used against them by Thieves.

I ask for their Name, Write it on a Piece of paper in Front of them
& say, "Just in case someone questions me about being there"


It's Their Property.
Always let them set the Rules (Conditions).

 

[spez401]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

I've never used an actual contract... It tends to put people off. The best advice is like sandman said... deliver it in person. First, people have a lot harder time turning someone down face to face. Second, its a lot more personal then receiving some form letter in the mail. third, both you and the person you're approaching can get a "measure" of the other. Many people go with their "gut" feelings when meeting someone.

I have sent letters in the past, and had some success with them. My usual plan of attack is to find out the owners info (hit your local town hall to get the name and address of the property owner). Also track down their phone number. (you can get this usually from the 991 emergency listings posted at most town halls). Send the letter, wait a couple days and then give a call.

good luck
steve

 

[bk]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

Just let them know who you are. Let them see you, and ask if you can detect the property.
Offer to show them what you find.

 

[Old Fart in TN]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

Do you know how I find most of my places to hunt? I will post a little piece on Craigs list looking for places to hunt. They reply through e-mail and then I make contact. I have had some very good luck doing it that way. plus have met a few new treasure hunters that way. I haven't had to use a permission slip on any place yet. But when I do go and ask to hunt some ones place I will do some reasearch on the place first and maybe print out a old sandford insurance map to let them see what thier area looked like yrs ago.
So far I have a 75 % closing rate in my favor. Best of luck and hope you have a major find your next time out. Jeff Tx.

 

[hollowpointred]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

Ive written quite a few letters, and i find i get turned down more than not. sometimes ignored as well. i have had pretty good luck writing letters to churches though. it seems that pastors and ministers are a little more apt to trust a stranger than your garden variety homeowner.

 

[MAINE HILLS HUNTER]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

some good response to make me think a little more. I sent out about 20 letters with permision slips the other day. Guessing that was the wrong thing to do but we will see what happens.

 

[MAINE HILLS HUNTER]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

I just felt a little wierd just walking up to somebody's door in the middle of nowhere (most of the old houses are in the middle of nowhere) and saying....

Hi, My name is Eric. I have a hobby that is metal detecting and I was wondering if I could metal detect on your property.

 

[spez401]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

Eric... in our society, walking up to complete strangers and asking them for something is a bit out of the norm. But look at it from a couple different perspectives: 1. If you don't ask, then they cant say no, and you cant find anything. 2. what's the worst thing that possibly happens? they say no?

Just do it. (not to steal nike's old motto). The first couple of times you do it, it will feel awkward, unnatural, and downright scary. After you realize that nothing bad is going to happen, it gets REAL easy. Especially when you start reaping the benefits. Good luck

steve

 

[jeff of pa]

Re: Letters & Contracts?

I just felt a little wierd just walking up to somebody's door in the middle of nowhere (most of the old houses are in the middle of nowhere) and saying....

Hi, My name is Eric. I have a hobby that is metal detecting and I was wondering if I could metal detect on your property.

I won't walk up and Knock at anyones door.
I don't like when Strangers Knock at mine.
I almost always get Very Rude to them.
The Exceptions are Stranded People especially in the middle of the night, Kids & Pretty Young Women.
Anyone Trying to Preach or Sell Something to me, Look Out !
I come off as a Psycho.

I wait till they are Outside. (This ain't always Easy)
and I always walk up With a Smile and my Hands in full Sight.
Don't carry a Tablet in your hand. Have a small one in your Back Pocket. less likely to look like a salesman or other pain in the &%$

The Only Places I enter are Places you Don't Knock to Enter.
Factories, Stores, Garages, Post Offices, Police Stations, Township Buildings, Etc.

I Never come right to the Point. I always say "Hi ! " with a Smile and
make a Comment about what they are Doing,

Examples :

Hi, Sure is Nice Out...."

If their working on something, like a Car , tractor, or ?

"Hi, You having Problems with it ?"

or "Hi, Would you Know who Ownes ..........? "

or "Wow, This place Is Cool !"





or say something like;

"Sorry to Bother you But I was Wondering.............."

and Only when it's time to get to the point, I say " I'm into Metal detecting and was Wondering......."