Vehicle Advertising + Road Rage = Stalker?

I have had my new plates for almost 3 weeks now.  I am very aware that I have the plates and try to drive much "nicer" than before.  However, I don't have my name and number in big letters all over the car.  I do have my business card magnets on my car, but someone would have to get out of their car and take a magnet for my number if they wanted to call and yell about my driving. 

Do people actually call on vehicle advertising? Do they see you car and think; "Oh my, there is a realtor, hurry up and call him/her, I need to sell my house!"? I know it is more exposure and sometimes a conversation starter when you parked somewhere, but have you had a significant business increase from this type of advertising? No, really?

Aside from all the issues during drive time mentioned here, I've always wondered how sellers feel about having such a vehicle in their drive when they're interviewing listing agents prior to listing. Some sellers may not want the neighbors to know they are moving, especially if they are preparing for a job change or a divorce.

I don't have any real estate stuff on the WEENR mobile, but neighbors in my farm area know my SUV (with the WEENR plate) and will comment about, "I saw you at the house on _____. Are they moving?"

There are many ways those who want to do harm can.  I have considered vehicle advertising as well and, in fact, still am considering it.  I haven't given thought to those who will act out their "road rage" using the information on my vehicle, but my plan is to limit what Information I make available on my car and direct the audience that I am targeting to my web-site.  One would have to be very persistent to then go to my site and "target me or my business there".  Most people won't feel it's worth the effort, but if you get someone who does we're now talking about "intent" to harrass/harm.  There are civil protections should you encounter such persistence.  This behavior has yet to stop the thousands of others across the country from continuing to advertise using their vehicles.

I have been thinking about signage for my car for some time and after reading the article here as well as all the comments, I think I'm going to wait. Great post and CONGRATULATIONS on your first featured : )

Calie, I've only had the plates for less than 3 weeks, so no added business yet.  However, my friends and clients love them and think they are really cool!  My clients that have seen them thought it was just another way that I think outside the box. 

You might want to check your state's website and see if they offer the plates under the specialty plates section.  It was $30 for the plate ($22 going to TAR) and then $40 to personalize it, and with the help of AR, I had many ideas from people on how to personalize them.

Hey Calie,  Great post and congrats on the featured blog!

I don't think it is ever, in any way, worth involving yourself and/or your vehicle with another on the road.  Signs or no signs, there are a lot of stress-out people out there who can 'flip-out' in a nano-second!  What good does it do anyway?

When I see agressive driving, I get the heck out of the way!

VAL

It seems so common now seeing ads on vehicles that like information overload alot of them are just ignored.  Unless we are stopped or backed up inching along don't really pay attention...do people really look for a realtor by car signs?

Calie,

I've had logos & names/numbers on my PT Cruiser for 6 years... No problems, altho it makes it harder to speed thru school zones!

I'd do it again, but keep it tasteful... We have enough fully wrapped vehicles already!

 

I have a question for those who do use the magnetic signs or the car wrap. Do you feel there's any additional risk that your vehicle will be broken into while you're inside getting groceries etc? Many people know that agents use & keep with them a lot of techie toys. Our cars can also be roaming offices with clients files which often contain bank account numbers or SS numbers.

I realize that all cars can be subject to theft if a laptop can be seen, but if I were a thief and saw a Realtor's car, I would think the probability of finding something of value just increased a hundred-fold.

I am a home stager, and there are always curious neighbors wanting to know who it is that's moving furniture in and out of a house. I think a magnetic car sign would be a good idea just to let them know what's going on, and hey, if I get a few calls out of it along the way, even better!

I have vinyl signs on the back window and both rear quarter windows of my Scion XB. Now I look at it a bit differently than the above post and comments. I have always been able to physically intimidate folks, luckily I have quite a bit of experience tuning it down so as to not come off as a challenge to any but the most drunk. But it is a skill I honed back in the Punk Rock days of my youth. Now I use the awareness of my signs as a sort of training tool for myself. The ID keeps me on my best behavior. I even go out of my  way to stop, and of course pull up in front of people I see in cars stopped along the road. I ask if I can help them with anything like a phone call or such. I have changed a few tires for people and given lots of directions. I haven't got any business from it yet, but lots of good Karma, and I know folks out here in the foothills notice the car. I get stares and questions all the time. I am quite aware, I always keep an eye out for trouble. But really I'm just not willing to live in fear.

Callie, I dont have the signs as of yet!  Even after the gun incident, Im still wanting them!

I think for stagers, like myself, it may be a little different because it can be a little harder to find us and there aren't as many of us out there. I think as far as advertising dollars go for stagers, it's a good idea. I'm planning on adding them to my back and side rear windows of my car but because of this posting, I think I'll put my website and either my office number (NOT my cell number) or no phone number at all. I'm in the book so they can jot down my company name and look me up if they don't have time to write down the entire website address. 

Good things to think about. . .  thanks.

I've been wondering the same thing. Is it worth it? I'm so hesitant to do this, so I guess I better listen to my gut feeling.