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Staking out , stalking , surveillance, , etc. You got to be kidding , right ? As a homeowner that's when my paranoia kicks in. If I see someone doing that near my property , I'm thinking your casing it , home invasion , Peeping Tom , etc. No way. I would be looking for red lights behind me. Or a red dot on me !A) phone calls, b) Door knocking c) emails and d) snail-mail letters are all nearly useless.
I mean .... think of it : What do YOU do when you get a phone solicitor ? You hang up, right ? And what do YOU do when you get spam email ? You hit the delete button, right ? And what do YOU do when you get a door-to-door solicitor ? You say "no thankyou" (or pretend you're not home, etc...). Right ?
Thus the best way, is always to "catch them on their front porch" so-to-speak. You tell them you're "doing research for an article you're writing for such & such local history topic, and you wonder about that stage stop said-to-be on their back-40 ...." blah blah.
"Catching them on their front porch" can take a lot of effort, I admit. I've "staked out" driveway entrances for hours and hours before, waiting to see someone coming home from work. In which case, I'll just "happen to be driving by", blah blah. Or you find out where they socialize, clubs or societies they attend, people they know, so you can "name drop" (ie.: "so & so suggested your place dated to such & such", etc...
A) phone calls, b) Door knocking c) emails and d) snail-mail letters are all nearly useless.
I mean .... think of it : What do YOU do when you get a phone solicitor ? You hang up, right ? And what do YOU do when you get spam email ? You hit the delete button, right ? And what do YOU do when you get a door-to-door solicitor ? You say "no thankyou" (or pretend you're not home, etc...). Right ?
Thus the best way, is always to "catch them on their front porch" so-to-speak. You tell them you're "doing research for an article you're writing for such & such local history topic, and you wonder about that stage stop said-to-be on their back-40 ...." blah blah.
"Catching them on their front porch" can take a lot of effort, I admit. I've "staked out" driveway entrances for hours and hours before, waiting to see someone coming home from work. In which case, I'll just "happen to be driving by", blah blah. Or you find out where they socialize, clubs or societies they attend, people they know, so you can "name drop" (ie.: "so & so suggested your place dated to such & such", etc...
on private property owners personal face to face. I also have a business card to leave with them. just drive up during the mid morning or afternoon and knock on their door. If you get a firm no, then just forget it. Remember most good salesmen get hundreds of knows before they get another yes. No's are just part of the game.
but if they seem interested and most do if you tell them that due to your research you feel their might be some interesting relics on their property. Have your idea of sharing firmly in your mind. I tell them that I will show them all I find and anything over $200 we split and any unique relics related to their family they can keep, otherwise I keep all coins.
If you find multiple items like a hand full of civil war bullets then give them some. If you find a rather rare CSA belt buckle then split. Don't trick, fool or cheat them in any manner. One of my permissions led to a 6 acre next door permission where I found some unique relics.
commercial properties - phone call and explain what you would like to do. I have done this with two commercial properties. First one got in contact with the main guy that was responsible for developing the property. He said yes.
second one, the receptionist took my info. I was polite with her and told her everything and she pleaded my case to those who made the decision and got another yes.
If you are former military by all means mention it, that goes a long way.
also if retired or former police officer or firman then mention that, it makes you more trustworthy.
Staking out , stalking , surveillance, , etc. You got to be kidding , right ? As a homeowner that's when my paranoia kicks in. If I see someone doing that near my property , I'm thinking your casing it , home invasion , Peeping Tom , etc. No way. I would be looking for red lights behind me. Or a red dot on me !
If you called my house there would be no answer. My phone blocks all calls that are from numbers that I do not have in my address book. The only way you are going to get permission is to talk to the owner In person. You must sell yourself to him.
Staking out , stalking , surveillance, , etc. You got to be kidding , right ? As a homeowner that's when my paranoia kicks in. If I see someone doing that near my property , I'm thinking your casing it , home invasion , Peeping Tom , etc. No way. I would be looking for red lights behind me. Or a red dot on me !
my paranoia would kick in as well! ....
Huh ? You're portraying what I said, in a way of "stalking". No.... I didn't mean it like that. Because otherwise, you're right : If you're being a numb-nuts , parked by their mail-box with binoculars looking at them, then sure.
Obviously I meant down the road, mixed in with perhaps other parked vehicles, minding your own business, yet .... aware of when a car pulls into the driveway down-the-street type thing.
I did not in any way mean to portray that someone's aware that you're "spying on them", etc... But rather, that you're just walking your dog past there at the time they tend to come home, or at the time they were out mowing their yard, etc....
Kinda hard to get out if this one Tom. But because I respect your experience and knowledge , I will cut you some slack ! We all make mistakes. Your welcome , The KOB.