OK - so I'm spinning off from yesterday's blog. A/R member, Elaine Reese, brought up a really good point that I think deserves some additional consideration. Let's chat about clients (or perspective clients) requesting that all vehicle signage be removed before visiting the property. Car wraps, aside, if we have magnet signs that are easily removed, would you take them off before your appointment?
I, too, have wondered about home sellers who are going through circumstances that perhaps aren't ready for their neighbors to know about (i.e., divorce, relocation, etc). While I think we all want to be respectful, is it too much to ask (us) to remove our advertising?
When I was asked to remove my signage, the home sellers let me know that they were intending on flipping the house because it had just taken way too long for the builder to complete it (they had purchased another house in the interim). Hmmm...I really had to think a lot before I could answer their question.
Was it really o.k. for them to ask this of me? Was their request anything less than rude? Should I do it? Should I not?
Would you?
Thank you ALL for your insight.
While it may seem like a small request, I would wonder what "their" reasoning is behind it.... I guess I'm still undecided as to whether I would remove the signage or not ...
Hi Calie,
My feeling is that if a client makes the request, there is probably good reason behind it, and I would happily acquiesce - no questions asked.
Then again, my signs are magnetic, so they go on and off quite easily!
VAL
Ok, so here's a question for your question:
Do you need to have commercial plates to advertise on your vehicle? I just had some body work done on my car and asked about having my company info painted on the car while I was there and was told I needed commercial plates. That might be a state thing (MA) rather than national and I don't know whether or not it applies to magnetic signs. Oddly enough, my car is insured as a commercial vehicle (surprisingly, it was cheaper this way) even though I don't have commercial plates.
Anyone know the answer to this?
As to your question, well, I obviously don't have advertising on my car but...I think it is a fair request and I would do my best to accommodate that request. Our job is to help relieve stress, not cause more. I think a fair compromise is a small tasteful display with your business cards during their open houses.
Hope this helps.
Lori, Room To Improve
Two points, of interest.
I have car magnets, which now I don't drive a Saturn, actually stick to the doors. However my driving- although good in London, from where I have lived- is sometimes not what some mmay like.
My question. How much business do you get from the magnets?
Second question.
Are you ever concerned that other agents may see your car at a home and ?
This could be a problem if we are on a competitive appointment.
Guy
www.realestateguy.net
Very interesting. I have been debating as to whether or not to put signage on my vehicle. I guess that this gives me a whole new perspective on the issue. Thanks
Dianne dy.nam.ic de.signs
In response to two of the above comments:
I have been told that with magnetic signs it is not necessary to have commercial plates. There is an issue, however, with State Parkways that don't allow commercial vehicles. It seems that you can be ticketed for driving on the parkways with magnetic signs. I either stay off the parkways or remove my signs if there is no other way to get to my destination. That's the great thing about the magnetic signs!
As for pulling in business, oh my goodness YES! I am constantly being asked for business cards while out and about. At traffic lights, more often than not, I find the person in the car next to me reading my sign. I wrote a blog about this a while back - check it out if you like: Magnetic Car Signs are the Way to Go!
You know... they can ask anything they like...
the problem with these folks is that they might have inadvertently committed Mortgage Fraud.
If they owned the house and signed the mortgage attesting to the fact that it was to be a primary residence then FLIPPING it would create a default... actually even LISTING it could...
The builder took too long is a great idea - but... well... be careful how far you go to hide things for them
Thank you, David, for adding your perspective. I appreciate you chiming in and sharing another way of looking at this. While I hadn't thought of it from a legal standpoint. you bring up an excellent point. Thank You!
I think that people need to be aware that we are existing in a world where there are messages everywhere you turn and look. I thin hte nosey neighbour thing is a poor excuse personally, you may just be having your home valued, you may just be getting an opinion of the market or you may be selling a deceased reletives property in the same town but conducting a meeting at your home.
My vehicle is wrapped so there is no way I can be missed and I like it that way as I gain business and recognition as I drive around. It is not an ego thing, merely a way to effectively communicate a message wherever I go.
www.shiftbydesign.com.au
Interesting question.
As an exclusive Buyer's Agent with logos on our cars for the last 11 years, this question has never come up.
But I can see how a seller might be concerned. I would say drive a different car or take the signs off when you receive a polite request like that.
Thanks for coming by Jon and adding your two cents. I think most of us would remove the signage - unless, of course, it's permanent. - Calie