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Anxiety keeping me from asking permission

Youre going to get no for an answer fairly often. Just move onto the next and try again. I look at it this way...I'm surprised we get as many permissions as we do. Put yourself in the owners place...random dude knocks on your door asks you if they can detect, dig and keep treasures from your property lol.
 
Flyingeagle said:
Any tips for dealing with the rejection of not getting a permission? TIA
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When you go up to the door, don't expect to NOT get permission. However, if they so No, just Thank them and move on. Also, maybe try to time your approach to maximize the Yes possibilities (people outdoors, doesn't look like there is a party or wake going on, not too early... not too late, etc.)
 
Flyingeagle said:
Any tips for dealing with the rejection of not getting a permission? TIA
Click to expand...
My advice is develop the ability to just simply say "OK thank you". It's not that big of deal. Are you married? If so, did every girl you ever approached throw herself at you? Did you marry the first woman you met? Have you been at the same job your entire life, or did you have multiple job interviews? Again..... you're just interviewing for a place to detect. I dunno..... if they say no, tell yourself you must be "over qualified" and move on to looking for another permission.
 
That was why I liked the rental property. I could tell them I used to live there, and my wife lost the keys to our car, and I'd like to poke around a bit to see if I can find them. Generally, I'd start the conversation by asking if they by chance found any keys in the yard.
 
For me, it depends on "how" they said "no". A few times, I feel that the "no" I was given was maybe out of some sort of liability concern(s), or just some overall uncertainty about what it is I'm asking about. I cases like that, I will generally return at least once and have another conversation with the person. If I feel like I might be making progress, then I'll go back again...and maybe again. I've sat on the front porch with one property owner three times now, just listening to him tell me stories about what it was like growing up in the area (he's probably in his mid 80s). With hope, on one of these visits, I'll finally get the permission that I'm after (it's an early/mid 1800s abandoned farmhouse a few miles from where he currently lives).
However, if the "no" I get comes across as more of a "I don't want you on my property, please leave", then I leave and cross that one off my list.
I'm not sure what you initial approach is like, but I find that starting out with an unrelated conversation (as it relates to metal detecting) often times gets the person to open up a little bit. I usually start by saying who I am, where I'm from, where I work, and mention a few of my hobbies. I've talked about fishing, I've talked about mtn biking, I've talked about golf, and eventually mention that when I'm not out doing one of those things, I love to metal detect...and get around to topic at hand.
 
I'm more of a "Hi! My name is Robin and I am from Amery. I was wondering if I could Metal Detect in your yard?"..... and surprisingly often, the answer is, "Sure. Go ahead!" and we are off and running..... Or next often is, "What are you looking for?" and I say something along the lines of "Oh, anything old and cool having to do with this area and maybe a coin or two." and we are off and running! Sometimes the answer is, "Sure go ahead...." but something feels just a bit off. Then, I ask, "Do you own this place?" and often the answer is, "No, I rent it.".... Ah, ok. Then I see if I can get the Name/Number of the Landlord/Owner. (I don't detect on property for which I have permission from a non-owner!) Surprisingly, if the answer is "Let me ask my husband/wife.", the answer coming back is usually a Yes. And Sometimes, the answer is, "No". Ok, no worries. One time the answer was, "Ok, but don't kill my rosebush!" You got it! Or how about "Don't dig under that tree... Fifi is buried there!" You got it!
 
I’m new to metal detecting, and I knew of an antique shop in a house built in the 1860s. I decided to check it out and ask the owners if I could metal detect, and they flat-out said no. I just said “thank you and have a great day”. You will never know what their answer is without asking.
 
Dont take it personal. But when asking, do everything you can to make it personal.
Make it about the history of the area and the property, not about the treasure that might be there.
Be presentable and friendly. I usually open with the line that I am not politicking, evangelizing, or selling anything ,but just interested in their property because I am a metal detectorist searching out the history of the area.
If you get a yes, be respectful and assure the property owners that you will not leave a trace of your activity.

Oh and if i didnt say it loud enough, If you get a NO, dont thake it personal. It's not as if you are asking them to the prom. Learn from their response and move on..
 
I agree with @MTtrashdigger. First thing I do is ask about the history of the property and LASTLY ask for permission to hunt it. I try and find a common interest with the property owner and shoot the bull at first. Ask how long they haved lived there, complement their nice truck/car. Just try and bond first!
 
My wife and I detect together. We make it a point to never go door knocking without the other so that the owners meet both of us and can see who would be on their property. Our thinking is that by being approached by a husband and wife team, we come across as more honest and trustworthy kind of down to earth people. We try to make a little small talk at the beginning to break the ice then we get to the point so as not to waist their time. We wait to hand them our business card until the first sign that they are considering it. Which for us, is usually any response or feeling other than an immediate "NO!" LOL

Unfortunately, our business cards haven't helped us much. 99% of the time we get "NO" for an answer. And that's IF they will even answer the door. We then simply say thank you for your time and move on.
Sadly, in todays world with so much crime and murder, people around our area seem to be very hesitant to answer their door when they see two strangers knocking on their Ring cams.

We actually had one lady kinda laugh when we handed her our business card. I told her that it was our hope that by presenting a card, that property owners would see we are not some type of homeless people and want the owners to feel comfortable knowing who we are and to have our contact info.

Yet another land owner who was super nice, we talked for probably an hour about all kinds of stuff. He told us that he has already given exclusive rights to a couple of other detectorist who pay him $500 for the permission to hunt the small field and old home site! I just looked at my wife with a look of shock on my face and I replied "Holy cow! we're clearly out of our league here!".

What is so frustrating to me about all this, is that I spend a huge amount of time researching and finding these properties BEFORE we go door knocking. I have pages of properties I've researched. I try to gather as much info as far back in time as I can and also try to learn what I can about the current landowner. Only to then knock on the door and be told "NO".
 
Bear stalker said:
My wife and I detect together. We make it a point to never go door knocking without the other so that the owners meet both of us and can see who would be on their property. Our thinking is that by being approached by a husband and wife team, we come across as more honest and trustworthy kind of down to earth people. We try to make a little small talk at the beginning to break the ice then we get to the point so as not to waist their time. We wait to hand them our business card until the first sign that they are considering it. Which for us, is usually any response or feeling other than an immediate "NO!" LOL

Unfortunately, our business cards haven't helped us much. 99% of the time we get "NO" for an answer. And that's IF they will even answer the door. We then simply say thank you for your time and move on.
Sadly, in todays world with so much crime and murder, people around our area seem to be very hesitant to answer their door when they see two strangers knocking on their Ring cams.

We actually had one lady kinda laugh when we handed her our business card. I told her that it was our hope that by presenting a card, that property owners would see we are not some type of homeless people and want the owners to feel comfortable knowing who we are and to have our contact info.

Yet another land owner who was super nice, we talked for probably an hour about all kinds of stuff. He told us that he has already given exclusive rights to a couple of other detectorist who pay him $500 for the permission to hunt the small field and old home site! I just looked at my wife with a look of shock on my face and I replied "Holy cow! we're clearly out of our league here!".

What is so frustrating to me about all this, is that I spend a huge amount of time researching and finding these properties BEFORE we go door knocking. I have pages of properties I've researched. I try to gather as much info as far back in time as I can and also try to learn what I can about the current landowner. Only to then knock on the door and be told "NO".
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I couldn't imagine paying a lease fee to metal detect!!! With that said , I'm not sure where you live. I see an old house in my town or surrounding town I'll ask for permission to detect and let them tell me about the house and property. If they let me, then I'll do more research, ask around to others living in the area or older residents that might remember a certain property when they were kids. All that only really works if you live in a smaller , rural community style living. I couldn't imagine trying to obtain permissions around urban areas or on the outskirts. I agree that people are on high alert for people with ill intentions. Welcome to the 24 hour news cycle.
 
I usually have good luck, and get a yes 4 of 5 asks. Two things I do, one is I knock and step back 10 - 15 feet from the door. Two, I introduce myself and explain my intentions, keeping it under 30 seconds. Also, I don’t mention the word ‘dig.’
 
amc rulz said:
I usually have good luck, and get a yes 4 of 5 asks. Two things I do, one is I knock and step back 10 - 15 feet from the door. Two, I introduce myself and explain my intentions, keeping it under 30 seconds. Also, I don’t mention the word ‘dig.’
Click to expand...
This is almost exactly what I do.... especially the "step back from the door" bit (I am not a little guy, usually wearing camo and a headband....). Make it quick... people are busy. Introduce myself, mention I am local, and Smile!
 
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