Flyingeagle
New Member
Any tips for dealing with the rejection of not getting a permission? TIA
Anxiety keeping me from asking permission
- Thread starter Flyingeagle
- Start date
stetam
Elite Member
hoser
Forum Supporter
Yep. Go back after midnight and toilet paper the devil out of the place.
If they say no then ask someone else, sometimes I offer a small service to entice them like cutting lawn or something else, I usually get permissions that way.
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
New Member
Yep. Go back after midnight and toilet paper the devil out of the place.
Diga
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2022
- Messages
- 4,791
To overcome fear, do what you fear. That means you'll have to constantly go back and hound the hell out of them for permission. You may end up in the hospital, but your fear will be cured
rcornell
Elite Member
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.)
Uptown603
Senior Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2024
- Messages
- 478
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.
Cherry Picker
Forum Supporter
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.
FliesOnly
Elite Member
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.
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.
rcornell
Elite Member
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!
AceS
New Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2026
- Messages
- 24
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.
MTtrashdigger
Elite Member
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..
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..
stetam
Elite Member
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!
