An example of getting permission...

[portraitartist]

For those of you that are wondering how to go about getting permission, I've been corresponding with someone from a local neighborhood association this morning about getting permission to hunt in and around their neighborhood (it's a very old and somewhat well-to-do kind of place)... here's the email correspondence I've had so far, with the most current at the top:

Very good! I'm a graphic designer by trade, so I can make up a flyer for you.

I am fascinated by the history of the neighborhood, and that there was once a racetrack, and that the State Fair was once held in that area...

I would very much like to pursue whatever avenue I could in searching the area, and I am well aware that folks could be wary of my presence. I'm a nice guy, a dad, and I'm very friendly and open to telling folks about what I do.

And I really do appreciate you helping me out!

Elaine wrote: We've had a little crime wave in the neighborhood recently, so some
people are very wary of people around their houses. You could write
something up when you know you'll be out here so I could at least
alert the neighborhood of who you are and what you're doing. I have
one house that I think would be interested in seeing what you could
find.

On Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM, robert chapman
wrote:
> Hi Elaine -
>
> Thanks for replying... basically what I'm looking for are old coins. If I
> do find anything of historical value to the neighborhood, however, I would
> gladly turn it over to whoever might be interested.
>
> And as far as going on property, I wouldn't be doing that specifically
> without permission. The area(s) between the sidewalk and the street (known
> as easement, and usually considered city/public property) is where I would
> be primarily searching, but again, I wouldn't want to make anyone
> uncomfortable.
>
> I'm just trying to be respectful to the neighborhood and honor our code of
> ethics as a detectorist...
>
> Regards,
> Robert
>
>
> Elaine wrote:
> Hi Robert. I appreciate you asking for permission, but I don't feel
> like I have the authority to grant it. I think there will be some
> residents who wouldn't want you on their property with a metal
> detector and some who would be very open to it. If you find anything
> of value, what happens to it?
>
> Elaine
>
> On Fri, Apr 11, 2008 at 10:01 AM, robert chapman
>
> wrote:
> > Greetings -
> >
> > My name is Robert Chapman, and I'm an Austin resident and metal detecting
> > enthusiast.
> >
> > I have been doing a lot of research on the history of Hyde Park, and was
> > wondering if it would be possible to obtain permission to metal detect
> > around the neighborhood - perhaps along the sidewalk easements or in yards
> > of homes (or lots) that are vacant?
> >
> > I ask because-well, I always ask permission-and I respect the privacy of
> the
> > neighborhood, and would not want my presence there to be off-putting to
> > anyone.
> >
> > I've been doing this for over 20 years, and I pride myself on being neat
> and
> > taking great care in leaving no evidence of my being there.
> >
> > Thank you for your time and consideration.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Robert Chapman

[colbyc28]

WTG Robert! I think you may have something.....

[Ric-san]

Robert;

Very professional if I may add. As for me, I'm new to detecting so I'm trying to stick to public property as of right now. Hopefully, I can follow in your footsteps to asking permission in the correct manner.

[jcurt172]

Nice approach. I can't see how it could be any better.

[portraitartist]

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I started my campaign to get into the Hyde Park neighborhood - I've had a little success, but on the whole, I'm not getting the answers I need to make me feel comfortable enough to go forth and start hunting easement.

I have gotten the go-ahead for one yard, however. I just need to set up a time that works for both of us, cuz she wants to be there to kinda spectate... hopefully my presence there will start the ball rolling...

But even though I've posted a couple of times on the Yahoo group of my wishes and have asked nicely, etc., no one has replied or sent me an email saying yes, no, or anything. And, seeing as though they'll call the police on just about anything, at this particular time I can't afford to gamble that they won't on me (I have some unpaid tickets, and my license is kinda not valid right now...)

So, it's still really all up in the air... and even though I do indeed understand how the folks might feel about some random guy asking to search in their neighborhood, it kinda bums me out that I can't hit those easements... I know there's some good stuff there...

Anyway, just had to get that off my chest...

[Joker]

Good luck bob and get your license taken care of young man..!

[RobbieD]

Wow; I think your original approach, and correspondence, was outstanding! Very professional, and projecting our beloved hobby in the best possible way.

And I can really understand your being bummed that you're not getting the desired results.

Maybe try a different approach?

Let's face it; this neighborhood sounds, well, let's just call it "snooty". Sounds like well-to-do folks, maybe even better somehow than us common folk. I bet if you CHARGED MONEY in this neighborhood for "Professional Electronic Archeological Surveys" your phone would be ringing off the hook!

The higher you charge, the better. Consider doing this detecting in a nice suit, or a spiffy uniform. You'd probably even make more than enough money in the fees you charge, to allow you to hire a guy to drive you around there, and thus take care of this little ticket and license thing rather nicely. Just need to design some nice flyers, little yard signs so your customers can show the world (i.e. their neighbors) that they are sophisticated (and rich) enough to have had an electronic survey done. And another nice touch, would be custom Certificates Of Authenticity, for the customer to proudly display with all of the trash that you leave with them. No need to bother them with the nice finds, right? . . . . .



I hope that you'll pardon my little lapse of reason, or reality, here, and I also hope that you perhaps got a chuckle out of it. I do applaud your professionalism. Hang in there, man! Persistence pays off. Keep trying, and Good Luck!

[portraitartist]

Hey there! Thanks for the reply, and y'know, it's not too far-fetched, really!

I do plan on putting together some kind of information flyer, maybe I'll do some business cards while I'm at it...

I just need to be patient, and keep posting to the Yahoo group and sending emails out... it'll happen soon enough...

And btw, my family's nickname for me is Robbie (name's Robert), so.. y'all have fun!

[RobbieD]

Howdy, portraitartist, and thank you for the kind comeback. Seriously, man, you're on the right track. It will work out for you, with big returns. Hang in there! Regards, Robbie.

(yep, in my case also, it's a family-given nickname for Robert)

[janiece]

Any more to report on this? Really, it's great that you have the one house that you can start with because it only takes one! People are understandably shy about having a stranger come on their property but if you go on the one property and people see you that will move things along. The people who are mildly interested and curious will ask the property owner how it went and if you took care of the property or if you tore things up.

So, go out there and put your best spade forward! Hope it all works out for you.