Whos smooooooooth? Not me!

[MikeOregon]

Who's smooooooooth? Not me!

Hi, would-be smooooothies!

You know who you are, those guys who can talk their ways onto the front lawns of the local historic homes and churches for the purpose of "retrieving" any "items of potential historic interest."

Well, I am definitely NOT smooth. I don't have the words, so I'm looking for some help. How do you "cold call" someone for permission to detect their property? How do you approach them; what words do you say? I practically need a script--the more advice the better. I am finding it very difficult to find the words, but I'm not one to sneak around on private property (visions of buckshot, jail time, etc....)--consequently I seem to be stuck in parks and schools, and that is getting old.

So, please extend any advice about how to get permission.

Also, are my visions of buckshot and jail time realistic? Has anyone out there ever REALLY been threatened, shot at, jailed, etc. for metal detecting? If not, I guess my fears are unrealistic. Even so, I want to follow the rules.

Thanks,

Mike in Oregon

 

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[stefen]

Re: Who's smooooooooth? Not me!

Take along a puppy or a baby in a stroller...always a good ice-breaker.

Then return later with a backhoe.

 

[cryptodave]

Re: Who's smooooooooth? Not me!

I was threatened at gunpoint once by an old man... Turned out he had alzhiemers and had forgot he told me I could detect around his house. Lucky for me his wife didn't have it, and remembered me... lol

I just call and tell them I do metal detecting as a hobby, and I know their house is older and would like to detect it. I've really only had two or three people tell me no, and they were just cranky old people that didn't want me digging in their yard.
Now some people will want to see what you found, others could care less. Some might even want you to demonstrate how you dig holes so there isn't much damage done to their yard. Make sure to practice digging plugs, I like to leave a flap with plenty of sod.
A pinpointer helps minimize damage by reducing the size of hole.

The big thing is, once you get permission, don't screw yourself by screwing up the yard.