PRIVATE Property

SLY22 · Sep 13, 2012

how do you guys/gals go about negotiating a search on someones property? mainly i would like to know if you offer them 50% of the find 30% of the find

i have a area near me that has TONS of homes ranging from late 1800's to early 1900's construction. some with large lots and others with very small, that i have no doubt hold old coins.
thanks in advance!!

TerryC · Sep 13, 2012

Simply go up to the property owner and ask. Vacant lot? Check the tax rolls and look up the owner or send a letter. Private property MUST be respected. Whether or not they have keep out signs, it belongs to someone who has a right to expect privacy, as you and I would. Remember, we (as a group) are only as good as the last time we screw up! TTC

sky355 · Sep 13, 2012

Hey Sly Welcome to the forum if I missed your first post. Best thing to do is find a local club in your area if non then go get some cards printed up that has your information on it and and the rules you follow by when you detect on private property. This will give the owner a reference to show you are professional about the work you do.

When you negotiate a split I start out with a 70/30 split. If the owner retorts then I am more then happy to oblige with what terms they are looking for. I also notify them that if its a really really big find that I will let them renegotiate the terms based on the amount of money the item is worth. Keep in mind your a guest and it is their property. Without their permission you wouldnt find anything anyway. I always start out a conversation with who I am and what I am looking to do and any interest points on the property that I see. Sometimes if you get the owner talking in detail about it this will open up the can of a negotiations.

Im always really nice and be very professional with your delivery and your appearance. Like I said having some sort of a club or society affiliation will always bode well in your favor.

James

Treasure_Hunter · Sep 13, 2012

Start off with just asking permission and no mention of split. I have found I get access many times with no mention of a split by just being polite and telling them I will remove all trash I find..(free labor)..."Sir I enjoy looking to see what I might find, sometimes I find old pennies). You start off talking about a split they think there might be something really valuable when most times there is not.

SLY22 · Sep 13, 2012

all of this help! thank you for the info! detector arrives tomorrow as does my new hobby and adventure! ill keep you all posted on my first finds good or bad

got2dig · Sep 13, 2012

Treasure_Hunter said:
Start off with just asking permission and no mention of split. I have found I get access many times with no mention of a split by just being polite and telling them I will remove all trash I find..(free labor)..."Sir I enjoy looking to see what I might find, sometimes I find old pennies). You start off talking about a split they think there might be something really valuable when most times there is not.

Yep, this is they way I go. Good point on trash and valuables there TH.

TNGUNS · Sep 13, 2012

I have never agreed to a split nor have I mentioned it. I thanked one of the first land owners that has ever asked me for a split a couple of weeks ago but declined to hunt it. I try to always give the land owner some of what I find after the fact. Human nature is gonna make the land owner cherry pick your finds if you offer. It is usually a "go ahead" or "no" proposition. I seldom get refused but guarantee the person will take part of the split if you offer. I always try to do right by the land owner in anyway possible and never ever try to deceive them about what I am doing. Have made some really great friends with the land owners I have met and picked up several new deer hunting spots just this year. One of the owners loves squirrel but no longer able to hunt so I gave him some from my freezer and plan on hooking him up with some more in the coming weeks as I enjoy squirrel hunting while I deer scout. Best of Luck :icon_thumleft:

Coinstriking Michigan · Sep 13, 2012

When we do private property we don't mention a split, if we get permission we keep what we find. Nobody has ever even asked about getting their share.

Frankn · Sep 13, 2012

Well here I go again, against the grain! ALWAYS SET THE SPLIT BEFORE YOU HUNT! Here's the reason. Just suppose you find a small box filled with gold coins. The land owner is the only one that has a legal right to them, Unless you have set a split in advance. Have you ever heard the expression " THEY ARE MINE". I guarentee you will if you have not set a split. I have found items in yards worth THOUSANDS, and had no problem because I worked out a split before hand. Think about it!! Frank

Coinstriking Michigan · Sep 13, 2012

Frankn said:
Well here I go again, against the grain! ALWAYS SET THE SPLIT BEFORE YOU HUNT! Here's the reason. Just suppose you find a small box filled with gold coins. The land owner is the only one that has a legal right to them, Unless you have set a split in advance. Have you ever heard the expression " THEY ARE MINE". I guarentee you will if you have not set a split. I have found items in yards worth THOUSANDS, and had no problem because I worked out a split before hand. Think about it!! Frank

If I get permission to detect somewhere I do it and leave. I don't announce what I've found nor has anyone ever asked to see what I've found. Just thank them and go on your way.

ticm · Sep 13, 2012

Frankn said:
Well here I go again, against the grain! ALWAYS SET THE SPLIT BEFORE YOU HUNT! Here's the reason. Just suppose you find a small box filled with gold coins. The land owner is the only one that has a legal right to them, Unless you have set a split in advance. Have you ever heard the expression " THEY ARE MINE". I guarentee you will if you have not set a split. I have found items in yards worth THOUSANDS, and had no problem because I worked out a split before hand. Think about it!! Frank

Thousands. Yes thousands.

TNGUNS · Sep 13, 2012

I am lost

.....if you split you will more than likely have to sell. Especially if it were a few common coins and a valuable ring. That is not what I do it for. Yes, I have sold finds but prefer that to be my choice........ KISS theory :-*

. Keep it simple stupid ( not directed at anyone ). If they let you hunt then hunt if they say no go on to another place. Be honest and enjoy your finds. Just my 2 cents and I am keeping them both. :evil6:

SLY22 · Sep 13, 2012

i have decided to just ask for permission to search. seems to be easier to ask and keep what you find than to figure out what the fair breakdown would be. as of now i have what seems like a endless list of locations to try. after i have exhausted all those options, then ill consider introducing a share in the findings.
but hey lets not put the carriage before the horse!!! i havent even received my MD yet. i could be the worst to ever MD and not even find anything! hahaha

Frankn · Sep 14, 2012

ticm, there you go again! A little over $3000 to be specific. Why are you such a "Doubting Thomas"?

Others, This was found on a 50/50 split. The owner followed me around, even did some of the digging.

Ruby set in gold. very old ring.

ticm · Sep 14, 2012

Frankn said:
ticm, there you go again! A little over $3000 to be specific. Why are you such a "Doubting Thomas"?

Others, This was found on a 50/50 split. The owner followed me around, even did some of the digging.

Please don't resort to name calling. It's against forum rules.

Very valuable treasure chest.

smcdmc · Sep 14, 2012

ticm said:
View attachment 675502

Very valuable treasure chest.

You sir, have a very nice chest.

ticm · Sep 14, 2012

smcdmc said:
You sir, have a very nice chest.

My wife used to tell that when I was younger.

Dixiegal · Sep 14, 2012

We always offer 50/50. Its the best way. Most people are honest and some will cheat you if you find anything. We just try to be philosophical about it.

ticm · Sep 14, 2012

Dixiegal said:
We always offer 50/50. Its the best way. Most people are honest and some will cheat you if you find anything. We just try to be philosophical about it.

That's as fair as you can get if you have to agree to sharing your finds.

New Orleans Relic · Sep 14, 2012

Almost a year in now, and I haven't mentioned a split, and not asked. Had property owners ask me to look for certain lost items. One asked if we could locate broken property markers on a lot he was clearing. Its a situational thing everyone. Could be difficult to approach a owner after you find gold pieces on his property. To show them at least. I'd love to and look forward to handing over a family treasure to any family member. OF VALUE OR NOT. A sterling cross was my first silver, last november at a playground. Before liberating it from the ground, I was hoping for some inscription. There was none. I asked the park superintendant. She said no one had mentioned anthing lost. Sort of bothered me for a while. So I gave it to my niece. Made it much better. But then again....... A friend a few months ago dug a huge class ring at a spot of mine. A 10k 1989 Brother Martin HS / with initials! A month later she handed it to the young man who's girlfriend had dropped it. During an arguement perhaps.( So she probably threw it! LOL). I though the return was so cool. But I remember telling her then, I wanted the 1949, 14 or 18 karet with no inscription! Would make it easier to- smelt. LOL
When I get there, I'll pause and ponder.
Joking about the smelt crack, ya'll. Least till after November, if ya know what I mean.
HH Ray