More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Scot - SoCal

import · December 20, 2001, 10:31am

Posted by David Alexander on December 20, 2001 at 23:27:45:

Did you see John’s post below mine…

I had never priced the laminating thing… just what someone posted a long time ago… I assumed it was less expensive.

David Alexander

import · December 20, 2001, 10:31am

More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Scot - SoCal

Posted by Scot - SoCal on December 20, 2001 at 11:31:53:

I’m trying to get L/O type deals and marketing with bandit signs. The signs get me the most calls without question, but unless I’m putting them out every couple of nights, the call soon stop coming in. I don’t have the funds to buy all these signs so I make many myself by spraypainting them on some large yellow paper. But now it’s raining and the signs don’t stand a chance.

With all that said, I’m thinking of calling vacant land owners in prime locations (you know the ones that now have x-mass trees on them) and seeing if I can negociate something where I put up a large more permanent sign from some 4x4 posts with a 4x8 plywood with my message. I think a few should get the phone ringing again. But I’ve never heard of this type of marketing before (maybe I missed it).

Does anyone do this? Should I seek a licence to use the land when I find an owner will to work with me? Can I offer a ‘finders fee’ instead of ‘rent’?

Any and all thoughts are welcome.

import · December 21, 2001, 9:56am

A few ideas I’m still testing… - Posted by Marcos

Posted by Marcos on December 21, 2001 at 10:56:32:

Try getting some 4’ x 8’ banners made up. They’re not cheap, about $120-150 a piece. But, they should be semi-permanent. Now, I don’t know about legislation against this, but I have seen most of these around.

On the fence in the entryway to flea markets.
On someone’s roof off of the highway. I’ve seen a few of these.
On a commercial property. Ask the landlord, may cost you $100 a month, but if you have the right place could be a goldmine.
The fence to a used car lot.
Now, I’m not suggesting this, but you could probably do it. Just stick it in the grounds of an abandoned or condemned house. Who is going to complain? Once again, I don’t recommend it, it’s just a suggestion.
On a construction site. People always look at construction sites to see what’s going on.
In someone’s front yard.

Now, each of these methods probably require you paying someone a monthly fee to do this. But, if you can get it for $25 to $50 a month you should be able to recoup your expenses.

This is the best I’m coming up with on the amount of caffeine I’ve had this morning.

Hope this helps.

Marcos

import · December 20, 2001, 10:57am

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Rob FL

Posted by Rob FL on December 20, 2001 at 11:57:37:

A while back I tried a similar experiment with posterboard and permanent markers. It cost me about 50 cents per sign including the stake. The weather really took its toll on my signs. I now make signs on blank colorplast which is much more sturdy. Costs about 60 cents per sign including the stake. A heck of alot cheaper than leasing someone’s land and getting proper permits, etc. for a billboard.

import · December 21, 2001, 10:31am

Re: A few ideas I’m still testing… - Posted by Scot - SoCal

Posted by Scot - SoCal on December 21, 2001 at 11:31:52:

I’ve seen these too, but usually smaller 2’x6’ or so. Location would be key. If you test this out, let us know the results! (Maybe a special phone # for these signs?)

import · December 20, 2001, 12:56pm

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Scot - SoCal

Posted by Scot - SoCal on December 20, 2001 at 13:56:13:

Thanks for the reply. I’ve never seen colorplast for sale, but will look. I plan on buying them in bulk down the road, but now it’s not an option. 60 cents a sign is a good deal! I’ve even thought about getting cardboard, cutting to size, painting that, then painting my message! But geez I don’t want to start a sign company!!! I just want to keep my signs up thru the weather.

I was kinda hoping to get around the permit problem with encorperating my ad with the availability of the vacant land. (At least I was toying with the idea.) Heck maybe I could get on option on the land with some kind of limited use licence to advertise both the land and my biz.

UGH!! I don’t want to reinvent the wheel, just want my signs to stay up without spending a ton.

(Sorry for length)

import · December 20, 2001, 11:05am

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Jim C

Posted by Jim C on December 20, 2001 at 12:05:07:

What is colorplast and where can I get it?

Thanks!

import · December 20, 2001, 2:44pm

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by David Alexander

Posted by David Alexander on December 20, 2001 at 15:44:10:

That’s about what blank coroplast costs from a wholesale distributor… before, ink, labor, overhead etc… to make a sign.

If your really wanting to cut corners and are on a shoestring… print them out on paper and laminate them…

My opinion, your time could be better spent than marking up signs… too costly in time.

Now with that said… I do use a Marker on For Sale and am testing Various signs to see which get more pull, a professional look or a handwritten look… (Thanks, Richard Roop). I print them with most of the info and have my guys write in the down payment, payments etc…

But, for the small costs in the long run, time versus profits, advertising with signs costs less than 2% of your profits… that’s at least what I’ve tracked… that’s buying/Selling and paying someone else to do all the work, put them out etc… making approx. 20k per deal.

You have to decide what your time is worth… and if you always decide your time isnt worth anything, you’ll never make any money…

Now if you absolutely love making your own signs then, nothing can compete with that… go to it… because that’s what it’s all about, doing what we love, me I prefer to spend time with my daughter.

David Alexander

import · December 20, 2001, 1:35pm

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Ronald * Starr(in No CA)

Posted by Ronald * Starr(in No CA) on December 20, 2001 at 14:35:16:

Scott–(S0 CA)------------

I like your thinking. Option the property with the right to put a sign on it. Alright!

Now, try to get a good deal on the property. Put two signs on it: one to resell the property, the other your buying sign. When you find a buyer for the property, make it a condition of purchase that you can continue your buying sign as long as you like, as long as the property is still used as a vacant lot.

Good InvestingRon Starr*******

import · December 20, 2001, 12:28pm

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Rob FL

Posted by Rob FL on December 20, 2001 at 13:28:18:

I get it from a local plastics manufacturer. Cadillac Plastics. If you only plan on having the signs read one thing, I would suggest simply getting them pre-printed as Jim mentions. I use my signs for just about everything: “I buy houses”, “house for rent”, “rent-to-own”, “house for sale” etc. That’s why I stick with the home made signs. Easy to decide your own message.

import · December 20, 2001, 11:53am

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Jim FL

Posted by Jim FL on December 20, 2001 at 12:53:53:

Jim,
Corrugated plastic is sign material that is made somewhat like corrugated card board boxes, but plastic.
You may want to look for a sign supply store, or where ever local sign makers get theirs.
This will be cheaper.
If you cannot find that, some times craft stores have it as well.
You will have to look for it, as it is not easy to find, at least not in my area.
Frankly, for the price and convenience, getting some printed is probably a better idea.
Shop around and you can find deals on them.
I’ve seen signs priced all the way from $1.50/sign to $5/sign.

Good luck,
Jim FL

import · December 20, 2001, 9:45pm

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by John Burley

Posted by John Burley on December 20, 2001 at 22:45:02:

Hi David,

I have always done better with hand written (plus the city is much more likely not to complain). I use 8.5" x 14" Fluorescent paper.

By Owner
House
No Bank
Qualifying
My Down Payment Amount
Phone Number.

Then have the printer run them off for cheap. Tape/Staple them in the area I am trying to remarket.

City views them more in the garage sale/fsbo type thing (in my area) so is not that aggressive.

Tons of calls.

Good Investing,

John Burley

import · December 20, 2001, 3:13pm

I’ve priced laminating them… - Posted by Scot - SoCal

Posted by Scot - SoCal on December 20, 2001 at 16:13:46:

but that comes out to more than a pre-print sign on coroplast. I’ve bought some signs, but I can’t buy enough for the demand at this point (as they only last about 3-5 days no matter what day(s) of week). I value my time, but I have more time than money right now, so I spend the time.

One day I won’t have this problem and will be paying someone (I get calls from people wanting to put up my signs) to put up my signs. But for the moment…

Thanks for your help!

import · December 20, 2001, 2:25pm

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Scot - SoCal

Posted by Scot - SoCal on December 20, 2001 at 15:25:35:

Thanks Ron! (You rock!, by the way.)

I wonder if anyone’s done/had success with something like this. (I’m sure it’s not an original idea.)

import · May 30, 2002, 4:07pm

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by john

Posted by john on May 30, 2002 at 16:07:09:

How about on the “buy” side, do you also prefer paper signs on the poles and other places to bandit signs?

Thanks

John

import · December 22, 2001, 12:39pm

Re: More permanent solution to Bandit Signs - Posted by Scott

Posted by Scott on December 22, 2001 at 13:39:10:

John, do you leave your signs out all week, or just over the weekend?

Also, what do you tape/staple them to?

Thank you in advance,

Scott

import · December 20, 2001, 10:16pm

That’s exactly what I’m - Posted by David Alexander

Posted by David Alexander on December 20, 2001 at 23:16:25:

trying to compare on the sale side. So I started printing up signs with a font that looks Handwritten… (started this with a tip from Richard Roop) and use a Fat Marker so my guys can go over it quickly… and fill in the rest of the blanks, down and monthly, etc… that combined with an individual voicemail for each house and hopefully the sign police will stay at bay.

I recently for the first time got a letter from the city for my signs… to sale a property, threatening a fine… at the time I guess my nice professional looking preprinted signs going to my multiple voice mailbox describing a few of the houses and our programs made me look big time.

Funny thing is, I put out 150 signs to buy houses every week and havent got a call yet… Knock on wood.

I used to just run an ad and that was enough… Now our local paper wants 30 dollars per day, per ad from me to sell a house… seems their new management believes if you place more than 4 ads a year, more than twice per house… you shouldn’t get the 3 lines, for 10 days for 55 bucks… So instead of 165/month they want $900… go figure… NOT.

I guess they think their ads are mini realtors…

So I’m exploring all sorts of new ways to sell, especially with a recent slowing economy here in Dallas.

David Alexander

P.S. Thanks for the tips