Posted by evelyn (FL) on March 04, 2001 at 18:41:49:
Monique,
I have always heard, if you are going to win at a casino, the tables are better than the slots. The Gambling boat here offers a weekly CASINO TALK on the radio, but i don’t trust them. I’ll find me a book somewhere and maybe improve my luck at gambling!!!
Evelyn
BANDIT SIGN PROBLEMS!!! - Posted by Jason IL
Posted by Jason IL on March 02, 2001 at 14:34:29:
Hello all,
I have put up many bandit signs, in many different areas…I just recieved a call today from the police department in one of those areas telling me that I had signs posted up on stop signs and such…this is not true I have them only posted on telephone poles…anyways he told me if I did not remove them by the end of the day that I would be fined $100 dollars for each one, now is this guy threatining me or what??? Why is he lying about where I have my signs??? I called him and left a message for him to call me back so we can discuss what the problem is…I see signs all over that area for “lose 30 lbs in 30 days” and “Make $1500 a week from home” these signs have been up forever!! Why are my signs causing more problems than theirs?? Also I am leaving for Vegas tonight and wont be back until next week so there is no possible way I can have them down by the end of the day!!! So I guess I have $1000 dollars in fiens to pay huh? Just wanted some opinions on how to handle the situation…Thanks once again…Good Luck
Re: BANDIT SIGN PROBLEMS!!! - Posted by Jim IL
Posted by Jim IL on March 03, 2001 at 05:02:41:
Jason,
Since we have already discussed “bandit sign placement” in person, I’ll just point out something you mentioned in your post.
You asked why the “lose 30 pounds in 30 days” signs are not causing as much of a problem as your signs?
Well, here is something to think about.
Did you ever notice that those signs, along with the ones that say, “work from home and make $xxxx/month” or “got a computer? put it to work.” all use either 800 numbers, or websites?
Ever try to “locate” one of these people or companies?
the numbers are unlisted, and most people cannot find someone who owns and maintains a website.
So, these signs might very well be a HUGE thorn in the side of city workers, but since they cannot contact the “perps” of these signs, they just let them be.
But, you made yourself easy to find and contact, therefore you are getting the wrath of the code/police officers.
Perhaps a nice web based 800 number that is unlisted and goes to voicemail only would be a good thing to use in the areas where they do not like your signs.
Not that I personally advocate doing this! (LOL!)
But, I use several different numbers in my signs, and lately, not too many people have called from the city.
When they do call, if they do not leave a message, they never hear from me, and sometimes not even then.
Sure, bandit signs may be a little shady, but the profit from them is what drives me to keep using them.
Besides, even IF I got caught and fined for HALF of the signs, the expense would be worth it from the deals we get using the signs.
So, enjoy Vegas, and call the cop when you get home.
Just tell him that you left him a message, and when you did not hear back from him, you took it as a “prank call”.
And deal with it when you get back.
Hopefully without losing too much at the tables.
And remember, Craps is the BEST payor at any casino.
The odds are more in your favor than on any other game.
Take care,
Jim IL
Re: BANDIT SIGN PROBLEMS!!! - Posted by Tim Jensen
Posted by Tim Jensen on March 02, 2001 at 18:44:11:
Jason,
Funy thing. I had the exact same problem as you did. I got a call from the zoning guy in our town. He told me that he has recieved some complaints about my “WE Buy Homes” signs that I placed on boarded up buildings. It was my compition that complained. In fact, I know the exact guy. He called me last week about buying a 4 unit that was like 50k overpriced. Thats another story. He told me that I had some on telephone poles. I do not have any on telephone poles. I did no argue with him. I told him that I did not think it was wrong to place them on boarded up homes. He told me that it was illegal.
Anyways, instead of getting him mad at me I aplogozed for the signs and told him that I did put up some, but a buddy of mine put up the others. I also continued and informed him that I will take them down and if he sees any signs that I missed please call me and I will promptly remove them. The guy was nice, heck I even joked that why would people complain about the signs you think the owner would call me and see if I wanted to buy the place. Now, the guy didn’t even mention a fine or anything. I just think he wants some of the signs down, ie he does not want to get complaints.
My point is, you should respond in a very polite manner and tell the police you are sorry. Then ask him where the signs are that needed to be removed. Tell him that you are leaving town and that you will remove the signs he mentioned today and any other signs you see. Next, ask him to please call you if he happens to see any signs you missed and you will promptly remove them. The police don’t want to fine you I think they just want the signs removed.
Next, I would go and check your city ordinance regarding signs. My guy told me that I can not put up We Buy Homes signs on my own property. Instead of arguing with him I just said okay and will look up the ordinance myself. I think he is mistaken, how many realtor signs do you see in yards, how about when a siding is put up or a new roof installed.
Good Luck,
Tim
Re: BANDIT SIGN PROBLEMS!!! - Posted by eric-fl
Posted by eric-fl on March 02, 2001 at 15:35:58:
I don’t understand. You said “I just recieved a call today from the police department”. Normally, when the police leave a message, they leave their name and status, like “this is officer jones with the smallville police dept.”, etc. Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. I would ask for this guy’s badge number (as is your right to do), and what specific ordinance you have violated. Be very polite, and explain that if you were in violation of such an ordinance, you were unaware, and will move to rectify the problem immediately. Furthermore, ask him to clarify the boundaries of his jurisdiction so that you can appease him, while limiting your loss of marketing exposure, by only cleaning the ones he cares about. Finally, if you have been polite and established good rapport, ask him for an extra day or two, because you “want to make sure you’ve done a thorough cleanup”.
Then ask him if he knows anyone with a house to sell. Cops are always hearing things, you know.
If he flinches on your questions, he’s not a cop, and then you can tell him to go do things that are medically impossible.
Re: BANDIT SIGN PROBLEMS!!! - Posted by Dee-Texas
Posted by Dee-Texas on March 02, 2001 at 14:44:50:
Did the officer leave his name? Call the police department and ask for him. Ask where the signs are a problem in a non-threatening manner. Find out the details of the problem.
Ask if there is an oridance and the number, telling them that you were not aware of any problem, since others have their signs up. Always get names when you talk to someone. I would try to find a solution before I left, hiring someone to take them down will be less than $1000.00 plus having problems with the police…NOTE: if indeed it IS the police that called, make sure you check it out.
Good Luck,
Dee-Texas
Re: BANDIT SIGN PROBLEMS!!! - Posted by Nate
Posted by Nate on March 03, 2001 at 18:44:12:
Jim,
I second your recommendation of craps. Also, if you know basic strategy, blackjack is about as good a game, or better, than craps. Craps, however, is easy to do well at. Just best pass line and full odds and don’t mess around with anything else!
Nate (rolled a few dice before…)
Re: BANDIT SIGN PROBLEMS!!! - Posted by Jim IL
Posted by Jim IL on March 02, 2001 at 21:14:14:
Tim,
I’ve never tried to boarded up house routine, sounds like fun.
However, I have recieved calls like this one from police officers, cide enforcement officers, and other city workers.
When they call me I just tell them that I hired some kids to place the signs up for me, and I have not a clue as to where all the signs are located. (That’s me, the clueless investor! LOL!)
I tell them that I will no longer use these “kids” to place my signs up.
Further, I tell them that since I do not know where all the signs are at, would they be so kind as to pass along my apology to the city workers about the sign placement, and ask them to remove them as they see them.
I also tell them that I’ll remove any signs as I happen on them.
As far as ordinances about placing “We Buy Homes” signs on homes I have in inventory, I was also told this was illegal.
Apparently, this is advertising a business in a residential area which is a major crime to code officers. (Slightly less a crime than parking your RV in the driveway so I’m told.)
I tried the old “but RE agents have signs on there homes for sale and so do contractors on homes they are working on.”
I was told that there was a specific exception for these types of people for the sign ordinance.
Real Estate agents are selling homes, not looking to buy them with their signs.
And contractors are allowed because they are advertising work that is going on at the time. (What ever that means?!?!?!)
I still place signs in the yard of all the homes I am selling, renting and what not that say, “We Buy homes” on them.
But, my signs are now a little different.
When I have a “For sale” sign, next to it, I place one that says, "This home is offered for sale by M.I.P. Homes…“WE BUY HOMES!! xxx-xxx-xxxx”
Sort of a company logo if you will, and it complies with the city ordinances, I checked.
In the past, when I had a vacant home, I would simply park my work van in the drive way, or in front of the home.
My van had a sign painted on it which said, “We Buy Homes” which was covering the ENTIRE side of the van.
And BOY was it UGLY! but it worked well.
And, lately, when I am selling a home, I do my regular advertising and marketing.
Part of which is to direct potential buyers to the home to walk around the outside and see the home through open window curtains etc.
I place flyers in a box outside the home, and tape some to the inside of windows, just in case the box becomes empty.
I have begun to add lately a little flyer to that, which states, "Do you like this home, but need to sell your current home first? We also buy homes, call our “Sellers Hotline” for a quick sale at xxx-xxx-xxxx.
It seems to work so far.
I just started this the other day, and today while showing one of my homes to a potential buyer, she mentioned that her current home is to close in 2 weeks, IF her buyer can sell their old home.
I guess the financing is in place for the deal, but the people buying her home have stated that they cannot handle two mortgage payments comfortably and if they cannot cover the payments on the old home, they will not close. (hmmmm? possible lead here?)
So, I gave her my business card and told her to have them call me.
I talked to that person tonight, and will be meeting them tomorrow to discuss possibly buying there home from them or covering the payments on it so they can buy the new home.
Just my $.02,
Jim IL
Re: BANDIT SIGN PROBLEMS!!! - Posted by Monique
Posted by Monique on March 04, 2001 at 07:03:20:
And when I’m really doing well at the tables …
Give me a HORN HIGH YO on the Come Out Roll!!
Horrible odds, but gotta love the action.
Monique
How do you play craps and blackjack - Posted by evelyn (FL)
Posted by evelyn (FL) on March 04, 2001 at 13:07:15:
I go to the local casino boat…getting to be PRETTY addicting.
So I guess I am wasting my time at those stupid quarter and dollar slots!!!
But…I don’t even know how to play craps and blackjack…any tips?
Re: How do you play craps and blackjack - Posted by Monique
Posted by Monique on March 04, 2001 at 17:30:25:
Evelyn,
If you’re going to learn to love craps that way that I do, I’m inclined to say don’t learn how to play (smile).
Funny thing you know … many of the casinos hold FREE training on how to play craps and blackjack. Why not train your customers on how to give them your money. LOL!
Really, I had a buddy of mine describe craps while he played one afternoon. Then, I got a $5 book to learn the rest of the rules. I’ve been hooked since.
Monique