Do you have your name & company plastered all over your car?

I had my truck custom lettered with my company logo; phone number; and vinyl waves that make it look like my truck just went through some water "Lake To Lake Realty" .... I only have one truck but when I got a call from a potential seller (now a happy past client), I asked "what made you decide to call me?"   Answer "Shiela I see your trucks everywhere - you must be doing something right ".  I have had calls where people asked me not to bring my truck, so I use my husband's truck (with no lettering).  I will tell you one thing, though; it really has improved my driving etiquette.

Dorie,

I took my signs of years ago because of my aggressive driving!  I did find a really cool electronic scrolling sign that goes in the back glass. I can change the messages and turn it off if necessary.  I have had some fun with that!  I also agree with you about the privacy part.  Best wishes in 2011 - love you AR header!

Dorie- I've been trying to congratulate you on a great, informative post, but with AR being on the fritz, it proved futile! I couldn't agree more. As a stager, the last 3 homes I staged weren'ta good situation. One elderly woman's husband passed away and she had to sell, another couple were getting divorced and the last job I did, the owners couldn't afford to keep their home! Selling a home isn't always a happy occasion and we all have to remember that. Thanks for the reminder!

You know I never thought of it from that perspective.  However, I am just embarrased by how dirty the car is.  I have to drive 6 kids around in it too.

Label that car.  Park it on the end in parking lots, keep it clean. Get the local buyers and sellers in the habit of seeing you here, there, everywhere through out the towns, zip codes you deal in. You are in real estate sales, don't keep it a secret and all the branding helps your reach, frequency in the marketing. Don't worry about stalkers, don't drive to need an 800 number on the back of the jeep with question "How's my driving?"

One of the nicest things about our country is the ability to do it "our way"!  And I can see points on both sides of the issue.

But I note that there sure are a bunch of crappy drivers posing as realtors.  I think that's a crappy reason for not marking your car.

I like the comment about the person being a "REALTOR" not a salesmen.  But it did confuse me!  I thought realtos were salespeople, not doctors or lawyers.

Dorie, I got a chuckle out of this!  And the comments! I prefer to work by referrals, and thus, "plastering" my name everywhere is not really a fit.  To each his/her own!

This is a very interesting post. My thoughts are, first, The neighbors already know! Second, if you want more business stop being a secret agent. Third, if it helps some people drive better then everyone should have a sign on their car so I can call them and tell them they need to learn how to drive!

I like Randall's "wrapped" car #227!  Actually have been toying with getting something on my vehicle, but not quite sure of what.  Now after reading the pros and cons here...still haven't decided. 

BTW - I'm on my way to "sunny" TX (San Antonio) in about an hour, but had to have my morning coffee and read AR first:)

Personally I don't do that - however - it's a choice - and I don't criticize those who choose to do so.

Dorie, I think this is the first post I've seen on this topic. It's good to follow the discussion.

I used signs on my car for a couple of years but was never convinced it did any good. As people have said already, it meant that I had to be careful with what I wore and my driving, etc. Now that I have no signs on the car I'm enjoying it much more.

This is an interesting topic for me,  as I have several agents with vinyl lettering and I have had lettering on my vehicle in the past.  I have an ordinary car and my lettering was not colorful.  My results were also unspectacular.  One of our agents has billboards ,  newspaper self promotion  and car lettering.  i think this works well for her .  She is charismatic,  and very attractive.  Some of her calls are bogus,  but her identitiy plays a huge role in her success.  For me the jury is out on whether car signs are a blessing or a curse;  my choice is to forget about them.   

I can't imagine doing that to myself. There are enough idiots on the road, talking on the cellphone in the left lane, and not paying attention and hold up traffic. I don't want to give up my ability to wail on the horn behind them. If you advertise your name & info on your car, you open up your car to other people by giving them the ability to locate you, badmouth you to potential clients, and other things that they wouldn't otherwise be able to do, at least not without taking a lot of time & effort.

I cannot imagine putting those on my car.  My professional position is about attaining a certain image, and posters on my car would only cheapen what I have been working to achieve.

Interesting note about sellers not wanting a car with a post on it in their driveway.  But, I have had customers who truly did not want their neighbors to know they were selling.

Great post Dorie ! Privacy and confidentiality are two things which must be taken into consideration every time we represent a buyer or seller. I guess the car wrap thing is a matter of personal taste or style.

If the idea is to get calls, ok. But making your car a "geek Squad" mobile is a bit over the top!

Dorie, you couldn't have put it any other way.  I, too, elect not to have my car detailed with my contact info.

Liz Streed, PRUDENTIAL Holley Properties - 850-368-7735

I was Googling about magnetic signs for real estate and came across this post and the wealth of different opinions.  I'm glad I did!  I think I will have to spend a little more time thinking it over as to whether I should "sign" or not "sign".

Interesting post and great comments. I have been contemplating advertising on my car and these comments have given me a lot of insight.

We have a lot more to be concerned with, but yes we have our name on the car. I have never been asked about it one way or another.