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(5) Specify that you will hunt alone and you won’t be
dragging along a herd of TH’ers with you. And that you will
display the utmost respect for the owner’s property and leave
it exactly as you found it. Don’t arrive at the door packing a
belt full of big, ugly, digging tools or you won’t get past
number one. Show the owner, what I hope will be a screwdriver or
probe and explain how you will recover finds. Demonstrate if
necessary.
(6) Most property owners won’t ask, but if they want a cut
of the take, abide by it or thank them and walk away.
(7) No matter what the answer may be, let them know you
understand their reluctance and appreciate their consideration
of your request and always thank them graciously in either case.
Courtesy buys a lot.
These seem to be simple statements and explanations but ones
you need to mull over in your mind, for to merely walk up and
start cold will often get you in trouble by confusing and
scaring off the owner. Remember, you are a total stranger
knocking on the door asking to dig up this person’s property.
So write down what you wish to say ahead of time and memorize
it. You must convince this owner to say yes and leave him little
option to say no. If you are a real gabber then this should be a
piece of cake.
Being a writer gives me an edge as I have a knack with
letters and I find writing a letter to the owner makes it much
easier for me and relieves me of having to think on the spot in
a personal confrontation and allows me to cover each
aforementioned area in a detailed manner. Course if you aren’t
adept at composing letters, get out the books and brush up on
how to do it, or have someone you know who is handy at writing
whip one out for you. Letter writing is also less threatening to
the property owner and gives him or her plenty of time to
consider your request. Knocking on a door cold may just kill
your chances as many people are finicky about who knocks on
their door and you never know if you are interrupting something
or what kind of mood they may be in. We have all had lousy days
and confronting a property owner on one of those days does not
generally offer much hope. Writing erases the pressure and gives
the property owner time to think about your request at their
convenience and to address it when they feel like it. I have
included in this article an example of just such a letter for
your edification so that you may study it, use as is, or revise
and build on it to your particular need and situation.
When approaching a property owner with such an " out of
the blue " request, put yourself in their shoes and think
about how you would react should some total stranger knock on
your door unannounced and ask to dig coins out of your
beautifully manicured lawn, especially if the hobby was totally
alien to you. By placing yourself on the other side you gain a
better idea of just what to expect in this confrontation. Each
owner, or site, may require different approaches and you are on
your own to decide which one. It isn’t an easy task but
accomplishable. Whatever and however you decide, do it with a
positive attitude. You will only have one shot to make that
winning impression. And remember, you are not only selling
yourself but also the hobby. How you conduct yourself will
reflect on all hobbyists. |
