Should I deal with this guy? (hesitent owner)

[goldencoin]

Hello, i asked a farmer for permission and he seemed very hesitant in giving it. He said that he found a 1900 barber dime on top the ground on the part of the field where his grandfathers house burnt down. He said that he would get the majority of the finds because they had sentimental value. He did mention that i would get a share of the finds. I'm worried that he will keep all the finds and leave me with trash, therefore basically a waste of my time. However, keeping one indian head cent would be considered worth it to me. I may also be able to keep coins and stuff that do not date to the time period, but i'm not sure. I have his e-mail and i'm trying to figure out what to say as to make certain i get something while not losing his trust. I've weighed out all the pro's and con's i can think of below-

Pro's-

May be a very productive site if he is finding old coins on top the ground
Will end my good finds slump
Will be able to say i've found more old coins (fond memories and pictures in short)
Help a neighbor find things to reunite him with his grandfather

Con's-

May keep all the best finds and leave me with rusty nails
I may get caught up in a huge battle if i say found a chest of gold coins
Waste of time

In short- what should i say in my e-mail in him if i am to e-mail him at all (keeping in mind my last silver coin was 2 months ago)

HH
-GC

 

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[Copperhead]

Dear farmer,

go to…



Seriously....I'd offer any jewelry/relics/artifacts you find to him…in exchange for all coins recovered…I can’t see how he can claim sentimental value on an old coin…sounds like he’s just trying to cash in on your time and detecting..just my opinion..

 

[hollowpointred]

i would split 50/50 with him if i had to. your time and effort is worth at least that. to be realistic your equipment and expertise is worth more than that, but it is what it is. anything less than 50% and he can dig it himself in my opinion.

 

[Mike Silver -gold]

I totaly agree with Hollowpointed. 50-50 as far as I,m concerned is the best way to go. Anything less, I would not trust him. Good luck Coin. Mike.

 

[UnEarthed72]

50/50 seems fair enough,you might want to leave him your number after the offer and let him stew on it for a bit maybe.

 

[Rowdy]

If it were me, I'd say that you completely understand about items of sentimental value, and what did he have in mind as far as a split?

That's all I'd say, and see how he replies. Who knows, he might offer you a better deal than you were going to ask for!

Personally, if this farm has been in his family for a while, I would think it reasonable that he get any and all personal items that he wants. Watches, rings, jewelry, that sort of stuff. After that, I think you should get at LEAST a 50/50 split on coins!

I'd say a written agreement would be in order, BEFORE you start detecting!

 

[doozis]

I would use the soft touch and tell him he can choose any items he
wants. Give him the impression that you just love your hobby and you're not out to pillage his property. Once you gain his trust he will probably be much more generous in letting you keep most of your finds. Everywhere you look these days you see scammers and greedy
buttheads doing anything they can to extract a quick buck from people, and if he see's you as an honest person he'll probably give you pretty much a free run of his property.

Doozis

 

[Copperhead]

I would use the soft touch and tell him he can choose any items he
wants. Give him the impression that you just love your hobby and you're not out to pillage his property. Once you gain his trust he will probably be much more generous in letting you keep most of your finds. Everywhere you look these days you see scammers and greedy
buttheads doing anything they can to extract a quick buck from people, and if he see's you as an honest person he'll probably give you pretty much a free run of his property.

Doozis

I can see this as maybe being the reason..

50/50 does seem fair...but..he's the one that's claiming the finds for sentimental reasons....I say call him on it...his response should be telling...he's probably gonna follow you around regardless..maybe he's just being cautious..offer a backup detector for him to use....might get him to be a little more trusting of you..

 

[Ocean7]

if you open up yourself to "claiming the finds for sentimental reasons" - you'll probably end up with nothing but junk. Unless you make a clear, concise agreement with owner - don't blame anybody but yourself - if you end up with misunderstandings.

If you want to dig finds just for the sake of finding them - fine.
Now practice this visualization in your mind - you are detecting his
property and he is following you around watching what you dig up.
You dig up a nice barber quarter or seated dime. He takes it for sentimental reasons. Then every other good find - same deal.
If you're gonna feel just fine about that at the end of the day -
go for it! If not - pass or get a signed agreement.

 

[goldencoin]

right now i'm siding with the 50/50 agreement where he keeps all the sentimental relics and half the coins. He did not strike me as a man who wanted to make a profit off of it, so i hope he will strike a fair deal with me

HH
-GC

 

[Copperhead]

right now i'm siding with the 50/50 agreement where he keeps all the sentimental relics and half the coins. He did not strike me as a man who wanted to make a profit off of it, so i hope he will strike a fair deal with me

HH
-GC

Can't hurt to try...you can always walk away...good luck..

 

[Jeffro]

Take a copy of the blue book with you, so you can show him what the finds are worth. You wouldn't believe how many people think old coins are worth a ton of money just because they're old.

I've seen more than one perfectly good relationship get screwed up because of greed. What makes it really sad is its usually over less than 20 bucks worth of "treasure".

Be up front and honest, it's all you can do.

 

[desertfox]

So far everyone that has responded to your post has given good solid advice to you. The final decision boils down to how bad you want to hunt his property. What ever you do, get it in writing first..... Good Luck
HH All

Desertfox

 

[Ricardo_NY1]

I'd ask him exactly what he feels will be of sentimental value. If he feels the coins will be of sentimental value, then you have to be ready to give some or all of them up. I'd be very specific in an agreement with him. Personally, I'd offer to give everything found back to him except coins..........or at worst, I'd give up 1/2 of the coins to him..

 

[ScrewcapRoy]

Goldencoin, I don't know about you and initially I agreed with Copperheads first statement. In my humble opinion I usually go with my first impression when it comes to asking for permission. In this guys case his first reaction was he wanted first pick of all your finds especially the coins for "sentimental" reasons. Come on!!! He also stated that he found a 1900 barber on the surface. He knows his coins and probably knows there is more to be found. Gut reaction, he will take advantage of you without blinking an eye. If it was me, I would say thanks but no thanks and walk away. Just a feeling I have about this one eventhough I am not there.
Your decision.
HH Roy

 

[savant365]

I have to agree with Mrs O. If finding the item is what you treasure then a photo album is just as good as the object itself (almost) . If you think there might be a large cache there that he is hoping you will find for him you might want to put something in writing about certain types of finds or monetary value. I have grown up in a rural community and the majority of the people I have dealt with are good for their word but there is always the exception to the rule. If all turns out well you might even get a few good leads from him also. Maybe you lose a few good finds to him but if he can be used for a reference you might just get permission to hunt elsewhere that no one else has ever been allowed to. Everything in life is a gamble, it's up to you to decide if the risk is worth the possible reward. Good luck to you whatever you decide but remember to get pictures for the rest of us please no matter what the outcome. Think of all the sympathy we will give you if he keeps all the gold coins you dig up...LOL. HH Charlie

p.s. You might try to do some research on his grandfather. This could give you an idea of whats in store for you there.

 

[artemis moon]

I enjoy finding relics for the sake of finding them, and not the monetary value. IMO, having the opportunity to hunt a property, even if you don't find anything, or have to relinquish your finds with just a photo would stil be worth your time. I say give the property a "test run" and see what you find, then let the farmer have his pick. You may be surprised about what you come away with in the end. Good luck and happy hunting!!

 

[re-tek]

my "wasting time" sensor is going off. i'd be hesitant and feel it out more. it would suck to walk out of there with junk and he keeps all the "sentimentally valued" coins.

 

[goldencoin]

Goldencoin, I don't know about you and initially I agreed with Copperheads first statement. In my humble opinion I usually go with my first impression when it comes to asking for permission. In this guys case his first reaction was he wanted first pick of all your finds especially the coins for "sentimental" reasons. Come on!!! He also stated that he found a 1900 barber on the surface. He knows his coins and probably knows there is more to be found. Gut reaction, he will take advantage of you without blinking an eye. If it was me, I would say thanks but no thanks and walk away. Just a feeling I have about this one eventhough I am not there.
Your decision.
HH Roy

No, i had to tell him the name and value- doesn't know nothing about coins

 

[DFX-SE Gregg]

I would not hunt there unless you had an agreement... If he is not willing to say a 50/50 split... I would not hunt just for his amusement!