Afraid to letter my mowing rig & other trucks

[Jpocket]

Originally Posted by J&R Landscaping

I know what you mean. My neighboors are always "spying on me" sorta speak. I dont think I would be afraid to advertise on my truck but I think I would worry about the other neighboorhood kids damaging or stealing my stuff. (it almost happened once)

I feel that my neighboors dont take my operation seriously and feel that I am just trying to "junk up" the neighboorhood. When I got my new (to me) 94 f250, my one next door neighboor came and said that I wasn't allowed to park commercial trucks in the neighborhood. (though 2 blocks away, some one who owns an ice company has 4 big freezer trucks in his driveway)
There was a landscaper who lived at the top of my street and he has a kubota tractor, 2 trailers, dump truck and the usual gear and the neighboors would always give him kind words and such. With me, everyone seems to be talking down on me and I really think its because of my age. Hopefully their opinions will change but I'm not expecting it to.

Jpocket, if you dont mind saying, how old are you. I'm 19 for the record.

I could care less what my neighbors think, most of them understand. It's just when I go to a local small restuarant, ppl seem to want to pry and ask questions. I always feel the need to bite my tongue around these places. Never know when someone is going to take something i said and use it against me.

I also don't lie the fact that my personal truck is parked outside my house, and anyone who rides by now knows where I live. (i know I know, it sounds paranoid) but it's the truth ppl. know where I live just b/c my truck is parked in the driveway, and it wouldn't be too hard to find out where my shop is.

[Jpocket]

Originally Posted by lawnwizards

are you afraid that someone might think something because of your race?

In a way yea...some young black guy doing good for himself. At 20 years old the sky is the limit. People might want to do something to put me out of business, b/c they are jealous. I live in a small city like town, when ppl. see you ridin around like some "hotshot" they may not like it.

[fiveoboy01]

Do you have insurance?

Then IF someone takes it to the level where they would damage/steal/vandalize your equipment, then you'd have a way to deal with that.

If they already know you're an LCO, then I can't see it making a huge difference if you've got lettering or not. If "they're out to get you", it's not going to matter either way.

I see a TON of LCOs around here with zero markings on anything. I know it's not right, but I automatically think illigit, non-tax-paying, loballing fly-by-nighter. And I know that is not the case with them all.

But I can't understand WHY anyone would not want a logo and lettering on their truck. It's advertisement. Thousands of people see your vehicle each week. Why not take advantage of that?

In addition, I just think it looks much more professional to have markings on the truck and trailer. JMO.

But yeah, I think you might be a little paraniod.

[LwnmwrMan22]

In MN, it's the law to have your name and city/state on the side of your truck with a height of no less than 3". It cannot be on the trailer alone, but it can be on the trailer as well.

You might want to look into that with your state's department of transportation, the commercial vehicles' department.

[mrusk]

What kind of questions are they asking?? Do you cut grass? How much to cut my grass and trim my hedges?

Matt

[green_with_envy]

it's just ppl being ppl. Don't sweat it.

[Uranus]

Do you think the CIA is after you too? You know they can read your mind. Watch out for their lazers

[Precision]

what you have is a personal issue with your own success or something along those lines.

Get over it.

The only thing you should be worried about with a lettered truck is your guys or you doing something stupid like parking it at the strip club or something like that.

Well that and getting a good design.

My advice, just do it. Any problems that come up, well that is what insurance and the cops (or a large caliber hand gun) are for.

[Envy Lawn Service]

Originally Posted by Jpocket

In a way yea...some young black guy doing good for himself. At 20 years old the sky is the limit. People might want to do something to put me out of business, b/c they are jealous. I live in a small city like town, when ppl. see you ridin around like some "hotshot" they may not like it.

Well, I thought maybe you were talking about making yourself a "target" for others to come along behind you and lowball you. I had that happen to me and had to go stealth for a while... and I still do sorta keep a low profile in that respect. This is the main reason you don't see pictures of my accounts, my equipment, my rigs and myself plastered all over this site either.... and if I do post a pic I try to take ones where there are no landmarks, ect...

But now what you are talking about......
Well that's something totally different, and I tell ya, it just pizzes me off to even think that in this day and age people still have to feel concerned with this in this country. I don't know what makes people think there are 'color barriers' for careers and success. Who do people think they are? As long as a person is a legal citizen of this country earning a legitimate living, I don't think they should have to ever concern themselves with this crap.

Honestly, this is something that had never even entered my mind about this industry. I mean I know there is plenty of distain for non-english speaking illegal immigrants in this industry.... which has nothing really to do with race. But I never realized there was this sort of racism brewing out there. I mean I REALLY never even thought about it... and I'm mad now that I am.

I dunno.... from my perspective, I think "lettering up" could really go either way in your case. It could turn out to be nothing but a positive benefit to display to everyone what you do for a living to earn your status... but then again, I guess it could also be like putting a target on your back too.

For you to have to even think about this crap is such a shame....
Geez, past that I don't even know what to say.

[CutsForLess]

They have medications for this, I know people who have used them and it did wonders for them, but dont get off of it or the boogy man will get you.