Permission convo

[SCDigginWithAK]

Hey guys, I've been detecting for 4 years now. I've had family and friends with old property that I've hunted. I have hit those spots hard and need a new spot. What is your convo with the land owner to get permission? I need help. I'm kinda shy and don't really know what to do. What are the chances of getting permission. Please reply walking me through your pitch and convo. Thanks

 

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[mical66]

im with you , im a shy person. but the few yards other then friends i have got permission to MD , i just come out and ask them.
i tell them my 13 yr old son and i have started a new hobby together and its MD , i would love to have permission to detect your yard .
if they seem interested and want to talk about the type of things i find , i tell them its mainly change , most of its newer stuff and any of the older coins i have found are worth about 2x face value so you can see we are not getting rich we mainly like to see what we can find and will gladly show you anything interesting.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

im with you , im a shy person. but the few yards other then friends i have got permission to MD , i just come out and ask them.
i tell them my 13 yr old son and i have started a new hobby together and its MD , i would love to have permission to detect your yard .
if they seem interested and want to talk about the type of things i find , i tell them its mainly change , most of its newer stuff and any of the older coins i have found are worth about 2x face value so you can see we are not getting rich we mainly like to see what we can find and will gladly show you anything interesting.

Funny thing is I'm 13. Lol. But I hope I can get permission.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I've found that when going to any private yards (or, heck, even demolition sites or whatever), you want to psychologically "make a connection" with your target. ANYTHING that hints at some sort of kin-ship, or connection, or "reason", etc.... Even something like "hey I was talking to your neighbor down the road, and he says there used to be a picnic site on your acreage over in that canyon", blah blah Or "I'm a docent at such & such museum, and am currently doing research for an article I'm writing on this block of houses", blah blah blah.

Salesmen are trained in this type of technique to find the remotest of "in's" (like "hey, I have same kind of roses at my house", or "wow, what a beautiful dog, what breed is that?", etc...). I know, it can get cheesy cheap if you're just doing dry cheezy lines. So it has to be somewhat genuine. And since you're a genuine history buff, and you do (afterall) do "research", you can always find a way to morph something into the "ice-breaker" lines.

Also: catch the person on their porch or outside whenever possible. Because if you have to knock on their door, the odds go way down. You know, that's like "their castle", (and maybe they were busy watching TV or eating, etc...). Contrast to the outside area, where it's as if you were "just passing by" type of thing.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

I've found that when going to any private yards (or, heck, even demolition sites or whatever), you want to psychologically "make a connection" with your target. ANYTHING that hints at some sort of kin-ship, or connection, or "reason", etc.... Even something like "hey I was talking to your neighbor down the road, and he says there used to be a picnic site on your acreage over in that canyon", blah blah Or "I'm a docent at such & such museum, and am currently doing research for an article I'm writing on this block of houses", blah blah blah.

Salesmen are trained in this type of technique to find the remotest of "in's" (like "hey, I have same kind of roses at my house", or "wow, what a beautiful dog, what breed is that?", etc...). I know, it can get cheesy cheap if you're just doing dry cheezy lines. So it has to be somewhat genuine. And since you're a genuine history buff, and you do (afterall) do "research", you can always find a way to morph something into the "ice-breaker" lines.

Also: catch the person on their porch or outside whenever possible. Because if you have to knock on their door, the odds go way down. You know, that's like "their castle", (and maybe they were busy watching TV or eating, etc...). Contrast to the outside area, where it's as if you were "just passing by" type of thing.

Good point. I was thinking of saying " I've been metal detecting for four years now and love learning history. I love learning about local history and I learn that history through relics. I'm not doing this for profit just as a hobby. I will take care of your land like it was my own." Then go into the discussion of plugs and what not. How does it sound?

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I would leave any discussion of "holes" and "plugs" out of it. That's the fastest way to get a "no" (unless you're talking cow pasture type land, and not turf?). Just let them say "yes", and then hunt. Dig a few shallow zinc or some such surface things first (so you know you can probe it out). Because human nature being what it is, .... if they ARE going to be watching you (curiosity as you start), it will usually be when you start. Once you show them a few shallow clads, they'll usually loose interest and go back in the house. Or, well, at least, what you do is, after you show them a few shallow clad (assuming they're following you around, or watching from their porch), you can THEN enter in to the conversation about the potential for any deeper targets "that you'll be sure to leave no trace when you're done".

But no, you do not go up talking about holes and plugs from the git-go (unless they themselves start by asking about that).

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

I would leave any discussion of "holes" and "plugs" out of it. That's the fastest way to get a "no" (unless you're talking cow pasture type land, and not turf?). Just let them say "yes", and then hunt. Dig a few shallow zinc or some such surface things first (so you know you can probe it out). Because human nature being what it is, .... if they ARE going to be watching you (curiosity as you start), it will usually be when you start. Once you show them a few shallow clads, they'll usually loose interest and go back in the house. Or, well, at least, what you do is, after you show them a few shallow clad (assuming they're following you around, or watching from their porch), you can THEN enter in to the conversation about the potential for any deeper targets "that you'll be sure to leave no trace when you're done".

But no, you do not go up talking about holes and plugs from the git-go (unless they themselves start by asking about that).

Ok sounds like a good idea. Thanks

 

[HutSiteDigger]

Best thing is bring old maps and history of the property you are about to hunt and make it sound like you are more into the historical/archaeology side of things then just wanting to go out and find some artifacts for your personal collection. Land owners really respect that you are interested in their property and the history of it and even finding out information they did not know. Has worked a-lot for me and I am a member of a few historical societies so that has helped me out also. Good luck.

 

[hvacker]

The way to get over being shy is to want something bad enough. Enthusiasm is contagious. So be excited. Present a plan that benefits everyone involved.
A lot of people will be as curious as yourself.

 

[Frankn]

OK , here's the secret. You want to get two overriding points across. 1- they could get something very valuable out of your hunt, and 2- you have the ability to find valuable items on there property. The point is, like a legal contract, you both stand to profit from the hunt. To get dramatic and cut the talking to a minimum, I use a picture of a past find. Frank...

PS: Agree on a split BEFORE you hunt.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

OK , here's the secret. You want to get two overriding points across. 1- they could get something very valuable out of your hunt, and 2- you have the ability to find valuable items on there property. The point is, like a legal contract, you both stand to profit from the hunt. To get dramatic and cut the talking to a minimum, I use a picture of a past find. Frank...

<img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=833794"/>PS: Agree on a split BEFORE you hunt.

Thanks frankn that's a great idea. I've agreed on splits.

 

[HutSiteDigger]

OK , here's the secret. You want to get two overriding points across. 1- they could get something very valuable out of your hunt, and 2- you have the ability to find valuable items on there property. The point is, like a legal contract, you both stand to profit from the hunt. To get dramatic and cut the talking to a minimum, I use a picture of a past find. Frank...

View attachment 833794PS: Agree on a split BEFORE you hunt.

Sounds like Ric Savage way to me...It's all about finding that one artifact that is gonna put some money in that bank account, aye?

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Sounds like Ric Savage way to me...It's all about finding that one artifact that is gonna put some money in that bank account, aye?

Nope not at all. I don't sell my relics. Love all of them! But if it gets me permission to a great site oh well.

 

[m bryan]

When knocking on the door or ringing the door bell, stand back away from the door as to not croud them. Smile when they come to door. Never mention the word treasure or gold.....maybe tell them you like to find coins and trinklets. You have a coin machine (not metal detector)....as already been said don't mention holes....just some thoughts...

 

[HutSiteDigger]

I have came across land owners before who are not into the historical side of things but rather finding something valuable so they can pay off a debt or something. So, in that case yah make them a split offer! But also be advised that these kind of land owners are always on your back and watching you to make sure you are not hiding anything.

 

[dholland02]

Only had two land owners want to keep my finds. Not gonna happen, i said no the one cocked an attitude with me, I simply told him when u pay as much as I did for a detector u can keep everything u find.

 

[SCDigginWithAK]

Hey guys I wanted to thank all of y'all. I'm going to try tomorrow. I've put together some pictures on my iPad to show the owner. My father and I are going to wing it from there! I hope I can get permission! This will be my first attempt. Also I will use y'all's tips. I really appreciate it guys. Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[Frankn]

Sounds like Ric Savage way to me...It's all about finding that one artifact that is gonna put some money in that bank account, aye?

It's all about finding something worth the diggin. Pull tabs don't turn me on, but these targets on that dig did. Frank...

I usually conserve the good finds.

 

[Mason Jarr]

I've come up with an approach that I modified from several different people who've been pretty successful at getting into private yards. It goes like this: "Hi, I'm (whatever your name is) and I live over by (a local landmark if it's the same town or just the name of the town if I'm in a different town). One of my hobbies is metal detecting and I mainly look for old coins like these (I carry a pill bottle with some various silver coins I've found....enough to get their interest). I've had pretty good luck around homes like yours and I was wondering if you'd let me hunt your yard?"

That brief opening is usually enough for me to tell if I'm going to have a chance or not. Some people say yes right away; some say no. Some are on the fence though and you'll need to be quick on your feet to close the deal with them. If they seem like the type that might go for a chance at getting something out of it, I'll add: "You know sometimes I do find some gold rings and stuff, in fact, I found a ring worth $650 just a few weeks ago (don't make it up though, be honest). If I'm lucky enough to find any gold in your yard, we'll split the value 50/50. Either you can keep the item and buy my half or I'll keep it and pay you half the value. I am a coin collector though, so I want to keep any old coins I find." That extra part will usually get you into the yards where the owner is on the fence.

When I go to the door, I don't have any MDing tools. I have on clean clothes and am well groomed. You don't want to look like a bum or have things that might intimidate them hanging off your belt. Be courteous, even if they say no. I've had a couple of occasions where the person said no at first and after I thanked them anyway and started to walk away, they changed their mind and said go ahead. Take good care of the yard and don't do any damage. If you find some interesting stuff, show it to them, but keep it in your hand! If it's a really good yard and you find a lot, offer them a silver coin or something that you can tell they have an interest in. Word will get around to other neighbors, either good or bad, about how you conduct yourself.

Good luck. I was a shy boy myself, but after 30 years in the military I could talk at a Congressional inquiry now! LOL.

 

[m bryan]

I've come up with an approach that I modified from several different people who've been pretty successful at getting into private yards. It goes like this: "Hi, I'm (whatever your name is) and I live over by (a local landmark if it's the same town or just the name of the town if I'm in a different town). One of my hobbies is metal detecting and I mainly look for old coins like these (I carry a pill bottle with some various silver coins I've found....enough to get their interest). I've had pretty good luck around homes like yours and I was wondering if you'd let me hunt your yard?"

That brief opening is usually enough for me to tell if I'm going to have a chance or not. Some people say yes right away; some say no. Some are on the fence though and you'll need to be quick on your feet to close the deal with them. If they seem like the type that might go for a chance at getting something out of it, I'll add: "You know sometimes I do find some gold rings and stuff, in fact, I found a ring worth $650 just a few weeks ago (don't make it up though, be honest). If I'm lucky enough to find any gold in your yard, we'll split the value 50/50. Either you can keep the item and buy my half or I'll keep it and pay you half the value. I am a coin collector though, so I want to keep any old coins I find." That extra part will usually get you into the yards where the owner is on the fence.

When I go to the door, I don't have any MDing tools. I have on clean clothes and am well groomed. You don't want to look like a bum or have things that might intimidate them hanging off your belt. Be courteous, even if they say no. I've had a couple of occasions where the person said no at first and after I thanked them anyway and started to walk away, they changed their mind and said go ahead. Take good care of the yard and don't do any damage. If you find some interesting stuff, show it to them, but keep it in your hand! If it's a really good yard and you find a lot, offer them a silver coin or something that you can tell they have an interest in. Word will get around to other neighbors, either good or bad, about how you conduct yourself.

Good luck. I was a shy boy myself, but after 30 years in the military I could talk at a Congressional inquiry now! LOL.

Great post mason....