Special offer

Car Condom- Safe real estate advertising?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Unlimited

Car Condom- Safe real estate advertising?

We asked about billboard advertising and have a few postings that we think are good and obvious reasons not to proceed with billboard advertising.  So far the jury says save your money and consider other ideas. 

One agent suggested auto advertising, here we call it a JAX Wrap (a local company who provides car wrapping with decals).  We love the idea, but have a few problems I'd like to throw out there. 

In this day and age, is it safe to drive around with your phone number on the car that you're driving?  What about the freaks of the world? We didn't want to post our big heads on a billboard, just our phone number and a catchy web address.  So the whole attachment with our car, phone number, etc., feels a little out there to us, especially since Bob is a retired police officer.   

Also, we live in a community where advertising and car condoms are illegal.  We would have to park the car in the garage ALL the time.  Now I ask you, how often will we run into the house to get something and your most annoying neighbor will call the HOA and turn us in for "parking" our own car in our own driveway with its pretty little condom on protecting our business interests.

Further, someone suggested that if we were involved in an accident we could potentially be putting our broker at risk for liability.  Sounds like a stretch, but certainly a valid question.  Our insurance is aware of our business, but our vehicle isn't classified as commercial.  Would it be reclassified if we have us a wrap system?  Has anyone faced a similar situation?

Will the car condom result be an STD (Steady business Traffic Device)? Is it an invaluable source of business?  Will it drive traffic to our web site/phone and eventually result in new customers?   JAX Wraps can be expensive, the cost of four months of billboard advertising in my area.

After all we certainly don't want to be pregnant with liability, we'd rather have an STD (Steady business Traffic Device) to keep business rolling!

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this blog, hear about your creative advertising ideas and know how you got your STD!

Posted by

Jen and Bob Edwards
Voted 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 by Jacksonville Homebuyer Magazine as a FIVE STAR "Best In Client Satisfaction Real Estate Agent (SM)"

RE/MAX Unlimited
100 Corridor Road, Suite 101
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082
(c) 904.477.0714
(o) 904.280.1115
(f) 904.280.1910
Search homes at: www.buyorsellwithjenandbob.com

Please don't keep us a secret, refer us to your friends and family!

Jessica Horton Jessica Horton Realty
Jessica Horton - Jessica Horton & Associates - Griffin, GA
Jessica Horton: I'm not #1... You Are!
Your questions are all valid but often I think agents can over-analyze things to death instead of just doing something. 
Oct 07, 2007 05:04 AM
Jen Edwards
RE/MAX Unlimited - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Broker Associate

Jeff,

LOVE the idea of parking at the office.  Wonder what the broker and other agents will think!?  OOPS, overanalyzing!

Thanks,
Jen

Oct 07, 2007 05:07 AM
Jen Edwards
RE/MAX Unlimited - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Broker Associate

Jessica,

You are so right.  I am truly trying to talk myself out of it.  Not sure exactly why, I just don't like the whole LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME, HERE I AM AGAIN, I'M DRIVING BY YOU, CALL ME, I'm MS REMAX.... I guess I really should be, huh?

:)
Thanks,

Jen

Oct 07, 2007 05:09 AM
Jessica Horton Jessica Horton Realty
Jessica Horton - Jessica Horton & Associates - Griffin, GA
Jessica Horton: I'm not #1... You Are!

Jen:

When I bought my moving truck with my face on the side, that is what everybody else was saying that I was saying.  I was thinking: This is cheaper than a billboard.  I will own it one day.  I provide my clients a service.  It makes sense!

You can't worry about what the little world says and as long as you have the right mental attitude they can all go jump in a lake. 

We may call you up soon...thinking about buying a 2nd home down there.

Jessica

P.S.  THE AGENTS WILL HATE IT.  At least they did in my market.  I got tired of hearing it.  So, I bought my own company. 

Oct 07, 2007 05:12 AM
Robert Whitelaw
Whitelaw & Sons Real Estate Services - Morgan Hill, CA
Broker, CEO, Realtor , ePro

I am in the process of getting this done to my car. In your case, I don't know if I would do it since you have HOA issues. Mine will be a bit understated - not a full car wrap.

As for the loons... well... your already putting your contact info out there. However, with it being on your car, I would suspect you will be a more careful driver - who wants to get a call from the guy you just cut off!

I have talked to lots of folks about this, even some I would actually believe ;-). The folks who have good numbers, can say that they get  several calls a month from this advertising. 

On a side note, I agree with your idea of not putting your face on it. I had a graphic artist create a personal logo for me, which is what I use instead of my ugly mug on all my advertising.

Oct 07, 2007 05:14 AM
Jen Edwards
RE/MAX Unlimited - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Broker Associate

Jessica,

I LOVE IT!  I really don't care what anyone thinks.  I truly am a what you see is what you get agent (and person for that matter).  I love to have fun, but am very honest.  I tell the truth whether people want to hear it or not and have built my business on honesty and integrity.

And, hey, the other agents can get their car wrapped too!   I just thought of it first.  Maybe some day I'll have my own brokerage...something to look forward to.

Please, when you're ready call me.  I would be happy to assist you.

Thanks for the feedback I think I'm going to look into a pack of condoms for both cars instead of the billboard ad.  :)

 

Oct 07, 2007 05:17 AM
Ulises Romo
Realty One Group - Phoenix, AZ
I think wraps are cheaper than any other advertising in the long run. Eventually the wrap will pay for it self. Even if you don't get calls or sales from the calls, your branding your image and name out there. And that's great, think of companies like  McDonald's, Walmart, Target, etc... you see the colors and text and you know what it is and what to get there. Driving around will help you advertise yourself your business, and even your listings if you have a link to your website and your listings. In addition, your brokerage is getting attention and possibly business from your vehicle. My broker has his brand new Ford Truck wrapped, it is a high riding truck that is tall and big, so even if you did not pay attention to the height and size of his truck you can not help but notice his old glory wrap with our brokerage logo on the truck. Our former brokerage company had a boat, Lamborghini, Hummer, Cadillac wrapped too. And they claimed to have lots of remarks about the vehicles that were wrapped and how they are all around town. So I wont ramble much longer but I think the good outweighs the bad in car condoms. lol. great analogy/metaphor.
Oct 07, 2007 07:30 AM
Jeff Payne
The Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty - Panama City, FL
Panama City Real Estate
Why would your broker care if you park you car at the office?  Seems to me that a broker would love their agent getting the company name on their car.
Oct 07, 2007 08:01 AM
Desiree Daniels
RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

Great post... certainly a "catchy" title.  I would say I used to put the magnets on my car and it certainly got me noticed.   The only negative was to make sure they weren't on during listing appointments.  Don't need to give the competition a heads up.  On the other hand I would annoy and drive my competition nuts and park my car in their "farm" and go to lunch with a friend..    It would drive them crazy trying to figure out who's house i was at.. when in deed I was enjoying a great lunch with friends or colleges around the corner.

Good luck with it either way

Oct 07, 2007 08:10 AM
Jessica Horton Jessica Horton Realty
Jessica Horton - Jessica Horton & Associates - Griffin, GA
Jessica Horton: I'm not #1... You Are!

"Why would your broker care if you park you car at the office?  Seems to me that a broker would love their agent getting the company name on their car. "

The broker doesn't care until the agents start caring.  Then it become what my previous broker called "the aggravation factor".  When you have 1 agent who does more than all 6 other combined but the 6 others pay in more to the company than the 1 agent.  Aggravation is greater than the economics. 

Oct 07, 2007 08:16 AM
Jeff Payne
The Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty - Panama City, FL
Panama City Real Estate
I think I would find a new broker if you are getting "punished" for doing something to help your business.  JMO
Oct 07, 2007 08:18 AM
Jen Edwards
RE/MAX Unlimited - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Broker Associate
I don't think the broker would really care as much as the landlord for the center in which we're located.  I'll just have to check to see if "overnight" parking is allowed.   Truthfully, it won't change my decision.  I'm going to get that condom and soon....I'll worry about being pregnant with liability later.  :)  Thanks for the posts.
Oct 07, 2007 08:39 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate
When I see someone who has those crazy looking advertisments on their car the 1st thing I think if is how tacky it looks. It screams out loud..."Look at me, look how important I am, please notice me!!" There are much better ways to be recognized.
Oct 07, 2007 10:38 AM
Jeff Payne
The Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty - Panama City, FL
Panama City Real Estate
So when you see a delivery truck or the Golden Arches, that screams tacky.  It is great branding and advertising.
Oct 07, 2007 11:36 AM
Leigh Brown
Leigh Brown & Associates, RE/MAX Executive - Charlotte, NC
CEO, Dream Maker - Charlotte, NC

I have had my photo, phone number, website, logo, etc on my car for the past 6 years.  Never had a freak call me (knock wood) or email or anything.  But I can tell you this.  For 2006, the total cost was $1400 (design plus application-I use the NASCAR style decals), and total GCI tracked directly to the car was $41,000.  That's an ROI that's hard to beat. 

Other agents will mock you, ignore them, they just don't have the nerve to declare to the world that they are in real estate.  No sense in being a secret agent!

Oh-and I park in my garage.  But when the car's in the driveway the neighbors don't say a word since I don't ram it down their throats that I'm in real estate. =)

Oct 07, 2007 12:38 PM
Jeff Payne
The Payne Group at Keller Williams Success Realty - Panama City, FL
Panama City Real Estate
Leigh, AMEN to your post!   If you are a good neighbor, the neighbors will not mind at all that you park in the driveway.  I do 2 cookouts a year for the neighborhood so my neighbors love me or at least they accept my bribe.
Oct 07, 2007 02:30 PM
Chul KIM McGuire
CorpusTV.com - Corpus Christi, TX

Jen,

Yup, some how "sex" always sells attention. LOL, "condom wrap." You got bunch of attention... just look at the responses and comments, LOL.

I don't believe wraps have the full ROI as simple vinyl labeling.

It's important from a marketing stand point that the MESSAGE is legible and readable from several car distances. You don't want to just get the person next to or behind you reading you. You want at least several vehicles away. 2.5 to 3" lettering is what I recommend. That also depends on the vehicle and what message is to be conveyed. Less is MORE. Make a simple, yet well defined Message.

Too many people use fancy script and other fonts when lettering their vehicles. Also, playing too many different colors against each other is a negative. Duh, can't read those. Try this when you're out driving this week... pay particular attention to all the business vehicles. Which ones really convey their business services and message? Which ones can you read easily? Remember, we are supposed to be paying attention to driving safely! I use the simple KISS method in labeling my vehicle.

And it's always subject to change because I own my own vinyl label cutter machine and supplies. <$1,000 investment. It does take practice in using the machine and applying to vehicles. Almost an art form.

SAFETY: Yes, women MUST be more careful about what they put on and in their vehicles that may give a clue to a robber and/or sexual deviant about gender of the car owner! That goes for what's outside as well as what's INSIDE (i.e., lipstick left on seat or other pretty things). For women, I recommend not putting an image of oneself on any display for the vehicles. No matter how "safe" a community may seem. CRIME happens anywhere USA!

Home Owners Ass. Bylaws: I would read into the bylaws. Rolling message on a vehicle for personal business is often times different than commercial. The HOA probably don't want commercial vehicles (plumbers, painters, Joe's garage, ABC Corp.) parked in driveways. That's what they are trying to avoid I would think.

Broker on Personal Vehicle Signage: I can't imagine a Broker having a problem with an associate having a "condom" on an associate's personal vehicle to promote their business. If that Broker does, then he/she is a numb-skull. As for any potential liability of having a sign on a vehicle to promote realty business, anything can happen these days if someone wants to sue. When I arrived at my RE/MAX office, veteran agents were saying... oh yea, there's too much liability in putting a magnet or other sign on vehicles. Blah, blah, blah they said. Several months later, they were all driving around with signs on their vehicles.

Like anything else, listen closely and judge for oneself and not by others. Cutting Edge Leaders don't follow the sheep! They may possibly fail bunch of times, but in the end... they kick butt!

Cheers!

Mr. C. KIM McGuire, RE/MAX Padre Island - Corpus Christi.

www.Island-LOVERS.com  www.Corpus-WOW.com   www.Yahoo-HOMES.com  

Oct 07, 2007 03:08 PM
Karen Monsour
Coldwell Banker Fort Lauderdale Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
REALTOR, SSRS - Sells FL Waterfront, Short Sale Expert!

I second your post Kim, Cutting Edge Leaders and the ones that are kjeeping a positive attitude and selling in this market are not the followers, but the leaders who keep on plugging no matter what the situation.  Hi fives to you...I agree with the whole post you made!!!

Karen Monsour, Realtor, Fort Lauderdale, Fl 954-464-4194

Oct 08, 2007 12:37 AM
Eric Kodner
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN
Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

I tend to agree with Al Maxwell that signs all over an agent's vehicle look tacky.  It depends on your market.  Maybe it works better in some regions of the United States than in others.  To me, it reminds me of those guys who wore sandwich boards during the Great Depression that read "looking for work".

I don't do bus benches or signs on the car or send holiday cards dressed like the Easter Bunny.  I told one of my agents once, "If I have to wear a clown suit to get clients, I'll get out of this business".

Regarding the personal safety issue, I think abstinence is the safest course of action.  You can't get into trouble with what you're not using!

Oct 08, 2007 12:48 AM
Kelly Sibilsky
Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD. - Lake Zurich, IL

It's not for me, for a few reasons: 1) I have teenaged boys who would be mortified, as would my husband 2) I don't wan't to advertise myself when I am in sweats and no makeup on a Home Depot run on a Saturday morning, or shopping with my sisters all day (somehow the public thinks we should always be working) 3) We would have to park inside the garage at all times too, and with 3 cars and a 2 car garage sometimes that gets tricky, 4) Many homeowners don't want to advertise to their neighbors that they are thinking about moving...so you'd better have another non-branded car available at a moments notice.

I'm quite sure they work, as does all advertising to different degrees, but it has to work with your personality. I'll stick with the understated license plate holder-thingys. That was a one-time $50 investment and subtle.

I used to have the magnets on the side, but in the winter they became really brittle and I think they scratch up your car if you take them on and off all the time. My husband hated them because I have a nice Lexus and he thought they were tacky.

Whatever works for you...go for it! But I can sense you are talking yourself out of it, if you have reservations, there's a reason...go with your gut! Oh, maybe buy a small cute car specificially for this reason, instead of pimping your usual ride?

Oct 11, 2007 01:07 AM