Sign on mailbox

[lawrence stone]

Some security companies have a little sign on the rural mailboxes of their clients.

I was thinking of having some small signs made up saying something to the effect of Lawn Care by
Lawrence Stone
555-1212

And nailing/plastic tie them to my full service residential customers
mailboxes. I will make this a requirement in my next season’s contracts. I was going to give the BS reason it is easier for the "crew" to find the home to be serviced.

Comments from the gallery please!!!

[the point man]

L>S>,

I just called 555-1212 and they never heard of you.

[TLS]

So thats your phone number!

I thought it was 867-5309.

Watch out for anything on mailboxes, thats govenment property.

[HOWARD JONES]

I would contact the postmaster - I think your idea may be illegal.

[dmk395]

Lawrence,

Get around the whole postmaster general B.S. and just nail them to the post. Some in my area have signs alerting people that there yards have the underground dog fence, and they are tagged to the mail box post.

[lawnboy82]

Larry, I bet you could get away with it. However I believe that the security companies for the most part put the stickers / plaques on the post that supports the box. Only suggestion I have for you is that they be somewhat easily removable, should you lose the job.

[Runner]

I'm sorry. It sounds a little tacky to me. Something that is mounted permanently to the boxpost is just a little much. This goes with the yardsigns that say "Another fine job by...." When it is temporary, that is one thing, but on a permanent basis, I just don't know. On some certain properties, it may stick out like a sore thumb. Kind of like bumber stickers on new cars. Just My .02.

[LawnSmith]

easiest thing to do, and this is what i do, is just get some made up similar to the ones that trugreen/chemlawn use. stick one in the yard after each job, if the owners want to remove it they can and if they want to keep it they can. if they do remove it, you can just put one there the next time you mow. its easy.

[kutnkru]

Im confused on this one.

I dont understand the significance of having a sign on the post/box that is a label of yours.

People driving by probably wont be able to read it due to the size, and Im sure that your clients would be more than happy to give you a verbal reference if asked.

I would almost think that ifmpossible you might try to have a platic biz card holder at the receptionists desk of commercial accounts that might read something like: This Property Professionally Maintained By in a legible script.

I just dont know how to advertise something successfully at residential clients homes that is productive in results yet blends in with the landscape well.

IMHO those security markers that Brinks/TWC/ADT put in the landscape are tacky too.

Just my .02
Kris

[lawrence stone]

I am referring to the mail box post.

Tacky? Ha Ha. Who me? What I think is tacky is all those stupid flags people have been flying.

I figure I could give the customer a 7% monthly discount if they agree to have sign on the post.

What better idea do YOU have in which a potential customer can actually see an example of your finished product?

My sign will be a fashion statement much like “Tommy” jeans you will have a “larry ®” lawn.

These signs will be badges of honor and will me more coveted than a NYC taxi medallion.

[LawnSmith]

Originally posted by lawrence stone
What I think is tacky is all those stupid flags people have been flying.



WHAT!!?? STUPID FLAGS? get the **** out of the USA if you dont like the flag then. i hope Bin Laden bombs your ***!

Edited by Eric ELM

[lee b]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by lawrence stone


Tacky? Ha Ha. Who me? What I think is tacky is all those stupid flags people have been flying.

Stone, that's about the tackiest statement I've heard, considering recent events.



:(

[MuskTurfKing]

Okay, your calling you nation's flag stupid? That's wrong, period, especially after the recent events.

There are hundreds of thousands of people showing their support and patriotic spirit by flying their nation's flag. That is what it means to be an American.

You obviously have taken your freedom and safety for granted.

I feel ashamed someone would actually say that.

-Hank

[Toroguy]

Originally posted by TLS
So thats your phone number!

I thought it was 867-5309.

This number is Jennys' shes not home?

Regarding Stones idea, if it is legal and it creates a buzz and more business, go for it. The alarm companies used to have window decals only, but one company started what turned out to be a craze.

Where are you going to have signs manufactered?

[LoneStarLawn]

<b>Please refrain from using any profainity. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we still need to stay professional.

Please try to stay on topic.


Thank you</b>

[Runner]

Thanks, Alan, this explains to me wgat happened to this thread now. I see the direction it turned. I'm Sorry.

Larry, I was by no means meaning to imply that YOU were tacky. I appologize.

[lawrence stone]

I was referring to those seasonal or NASCAR type flags people hang outside their homes.

Some of you boys are so sensitive.

[Runner]

BOY! Was THAT taken wrong!!!:D

[Lawn-Scapes]

Sensitive times...

[geogunn]

you are the self proclaimed guru of POO-POO to the residential scrub and hoowaah to the commercial athletic field type of cutter.

now you cow-tow(sp? ha!) to the residential customer with a mailbox thingy?

this doesn't sound like you.

GEO

[AztlanLC]

What better idea do YOU have in which a potential customer can actually see an example of your finished product?

Doing it right all the time and having a professional sign in your truck with phone number on it.

If you think you make a nice work, you shouldn't be thinking of annoying things to atract more customers. If you don't, nobody is going to call even if you put one of your signs.

[65hoss]

Why not a yard sign after you cut, like the spraying companies use?

[David Haggerty]

You ought to see what a local LCO has done!
Rhoades Lawn Care puts up signs! Big ones! They're about two feet square. They have his logo and all. They're professionally printed on that white corrugated plastic and held with a wire frame.
He places 'em just a few inches from the edge of the pavement in the middle of the yard! I'd have thought they'd have been vandalized or something by now, but every one I've ever seen is still there. It looks like he's running for election or something!
I'd been thinking of doing something like that for years. Maybe a small tasteful lawn ornament with my company name on it. But a big plastic sign! Jeeezz!
But you know what really gripes me, he'll probably get rich doing it! I hope he gets into some kind of zoning trouble with those signs.
I gotta get me a digital camera. You guys would crap if you could see those signs!
Dave

[AltaLawnCare]

I gotta agree. This doesn't sound like the Stone.

It will look look like you're running for office....
The politicians will be jealous,
I'll vote for ya, Stone.:p

[lawrence stone]

Ok here is what I had in mind.

Have decals made by and applied to 6" x 6" piece of plastic with

LawnCare by stone® in script at the top with my phone number
at the bottom in block with black letters on a white background.

The customer is not required to have a sign but will be given a discount if they agree.

How simple yet elegant. Clear plastic tie straps will be use as to not damage the post.

I would rather not have signage on the truck for I only want work from certain hoods. This way I can control in which hoods most calls will originate.

[lawrence stone]

Originally posted by geogunn
you are the self proclaimed guru of POO-POO to the residential scrub and hoowaah to the commercial athletic field type of cutter.

now you cow-tow(sp? ha!) to the residential customer with a mailbox thingy?

this doesn't sound like you.

GEO

The keyword you hare looking for is diversification or the term "safety in numbers".

These residential homes are the top end units in my area. You are looking at between $200-$300 per month per 8 month contract.

So just twenty new accounts will bring in another $5k/month.

And they all will fit into my current route for maximum profitability.

Athletic fields are great but there is a lot of travel time invested in those projects.

[Guido]

Sounds alright. Big enough to read, but not too big to be an eyesore.

[Martino]

The reason why people allow alarm companies to post signs is for the deterrent affect it may have on break-ins. I would not advertise your (anyone's) biz on my property for a measly 7% discount. You maintain my property in exchange for me advertising your biz....maybe we can talk. Maybe I can cut the same deal with my painter, dry cleaner (they deliver), my UPS driver, piano tuner, plumber, deck cleaner, etc. The biggest problem will be that my mailbox will look like a Winston Cup car.

[apacella]

Trades people (contractors, window companies, painters, roofers) use signs all of the time on homes where they are doing work. Understanding that this idea is a more permenant display, what Stone is suggesting is not that different than from what car dealerships practice by slapping their logo on a license plate frame or on the vehicle itself. If the sign is done tastefully, the yard enhances the curb appeal and the homeowner agrees, it sounds like a good idea.

[MuskTurfKing]

It could work, it depends on what you do with the sign. If you make it look elegance and classy, and not an eyesore, it should be okay. Just make sure it isn't corny. If I see a sign I don't like, I tend to dislike that company. Personally, I think your work should be enough advertisement. When I go to talk to someone about their lawn they always tell me they want their lawn to look like so-and-so's lawn that I cut. Kinda makes you feel good. Just keep it simple, nothing extreme, and I think it would be okay.

Hank

[kris]

Worth a try.... I love the BS story for the customers.

[landscaper3]

Some states frown real bad on the mail box situation! We now use Nebs door hangers and put them on side and front doors, takes a little more time but mr. postmaster wont be callin us. As far as the pole I dont think thats considered government property but you may wont to check your local post office.

[65hoss]

I have a customer that he is a postmaster at one office and his wife at another. I asked him this question earlier this year. The mailbox is off limits! But the post is not. You can put anything on the post. This is according to the regs.

[SLS]

The mailbox post thing may be ok (if tasteful) but the one thing to consider about the yard signs...

I had a few very nice signs (real estate size) with my logo and telephone number placed in some of my 'high traffic/high visibilty' lawns. They worked great and brought me several excellent accounts...but one night someone went around and stole every one of them!

All other signs (home for sale/painting by.../roofing by.../yard sales/free kittens/etc) were left untouched. :angry:

I can only assume that I was targeted by another local LCO.

At $50 apiece it hurt.

I suggest using cable locks or chains if attaching your signs to mailbox posts...at least in my area. ;)

[Runner]

That's gotta be the worse! I guess a lesson here for anyone consideing this idea would be to go with cheaper temporary signs, like the election type. I have a friend that had these plastic signs made up, and he went around putting them up high on telephone poles, where no one could reach them. He put them in key areas like certain intersections, and directly across the road from subdivision exits so everyone would see them. Those dog gone things stayed there for years, and never faded. I think HE eventually went around and took them down.;)

[cos]

I thought you weren't into the Residential market that much Larry?


Anyway, Great idea.

[Hoosier Mower]

Well it sounds like a good ideal but I'm like the others, I think I'd stay far away from mailboxes because it's federal territory.