Megan

"Me too!! Speaking of feeling discouraged..." , Wed 16 Aug 21:18

We had a pretty unsettling setback today. As I mentioned before, we just began distributing doorhangers this week to pump up our marketing efforts. I posted before because I was receiving complaints, which I felt was to be expected.

Well, THE LAW called today, so to speak. Apparently distributing doorhangers is illegal here. Ouch. I was told that we wouldn't be fined, but we needed to stop pronto. No problem. However, I just hate that we had to learn this lesson. We try so hard to play by the book, so much so that it is sometimes a hinderance to our efforts. I didn't need this.

Seriously, receiving a call from the city telling you that you are doing something illegal is not a good feeling. It threw us off for the rest of the day. Now I'm afraid to answer the phone. Really.

I won't even speculate on why doorhangers are even sold here if they are illegal. Ugh. Al pointed out that our hangers often had to be placed over a few existing ones, but that was pointless.

Come on, do I really have to learn everything the hard way? I'm sure I could have avoided this, but based on the presence of other doorhangers in these communities, it didn't occur to me that they were illegal. The printers, of course, did not point it out, either.

The same lady also told me that I needed a business license. Okay, now this really ticked me off. (me ticked off today) About three months ago I spent a good bit of time on the phone with various county and city officials, all of whom told me that I DID NOT NEED A BUSINESS LICENSE. I explained the nature of my work, including the fact that I worked under a corporation, despite the fact that there are only two of us. I was so adamant about getting it straight that I approached being annoying. Ultimately, they LAUGHED at me, telling me that this was coming straight from the license inspector, who was standing next to the phone. Please! So now that I'm in trouble with the law they want a license. Fine. I'll take any they throw at me.

BAD DAY. We have to make tomorrow better.
Megan

wgreau

"Re(1):Me too!! Speaking of feeling discourag" , Fri 18 Aug 22:39

Megan: I can't believe there is a law against door hangers. I can see the law against putting things in mail boxes, etc, but door hangers? I feel that I would have asked "what is the code # of the law about which you're referring?" If they are the LAW then they should know the code violation. Most any officer will quote the code violation in question. I find it hard to believe and wonder if there isn't someone trying to get under your skin.
Where are you guys located? Did you call the City and find out where you can verify this information?

This is probably something you aren't in the mood to hear right now but here it comes anyway: That which we give our thoughts and energy to manifests into reality. Easy to say, I realize, but true and worth working on.
You are a sharp person and (sounds like) a hard worker. You needn't be so hard on yourself about such things. If it truly was the law...and there truly IS such a law...then you were lucky they didn't excercise the fine.
The fact they didn't makes me quite suspicious because I have never known them to NOT collect revenue when they have the opportunity to do so.

William Columbus OH

dealmaker
Moderator

"Ditto." , Sat 19 Aug 06:55

Ditto. I would highly recommend you follow up on Bill's suggestions. Call the City Attorney and ask for the code against flyers.

Verify any calls like that you get. If someone calls from the "city" ask for their tel # and extension. Tell them you have another call on line 3 and you'll call them back. If it's a "prank" call, you find out.. If they really work for the "city", ask THEM the serious questions.. Code #, and request them to fax over a copy of that code..

Regarding the biz license.. forget it.

Dealmaker

Megan

"Re(1):Ditto." , Sat 19 Aug 12:40

Thank you so much for the replies.

I didn't think to verify the call because it came from "City of Fairhope." Al talked to them first, then I called them back to speak to them about it, also. They answered "City of Fairhope." I was relayed to the appropriate extension, as well.

In addition, it was on this return call that I was advised to come in and speak with this particular person about acquiring my business license. I thought it was legit.

Finding out the appropriate code is a good idea. I didn't want to ask too many questions, as I didn't want to encourage them to enforce the fine.

I'd like to forget about the whole thing, but guys, it was really scary!

Megan

dealmaker
Moderator

"Time spent?" , Wed 16 Aug 20:57

Doug:
You have done VERY well in learning the strategies in RE VERY FAST!

You're posts all over the internet is helpful to others however, it's not putting money in your bank!

You state, "Was supposed to sign L/O w/ seller but he never called."

He is not supposed to call.. YOU are! You're the buyer.. you should have sign the L/O Agreement when you met with him.

What did he say when you called him? You did call him, right??

I would speculate a few things; you either mis-read the sellers motivation, you did not encourage him to sign.

You posted several times (not including here) that you have a deal wrapped up. You do not have deal until it's sign.. Same as golf closeness don't count.. only in horse shoes.

Okay.. your GAMEPLAN

Stop giving advice and start taking it.. take your own. Not mine!

You're giving every GREAT advice (really you are)!

You know "HOW" to do that question is.. WHEN are you?

Lynn is setting up shop in AK right now but the biggest hurdle for them to get over was to MAKE THE OFFER!!

They (Lynn & Tammy) live in Atlanta probably the MOST competitive area for REI. They bought MORE houses that other investors passed on JUST because they MADE THE OFFER!!

Don't be embrassed of making the offers!!

Doug..Encouragement?? What is it really?

You don't need encouragement..There's something else holding you back.. Find out what that is and post it here.. We'll be GLAD to help you through. However, encouragement is not the solution.

And regarding Joe Kaisers' course, you need to re-read it. Joe is a "Dealmaker"!! He knows RE!

BTW, you've got enough courses to complete your first deal..

Get back to us w/ specifics!!

Why haven't you done a deal?

Fear of paying too much?
Fear of NOT being able to sell it?
Embrassed of your youth?
What??

Hey, we're here to help. THANKS for posting and being UP-Front and honest about slipping off.. Get back on and re-evaluate yourself.

You have the external knowledge. Get your internal dialoge (the doubting voice) turned round.

It's late.. so I apologize for missing or mis-spelled words.

I'll answer the other post tomorrow.

Dealmaker

Doug Pretorius

"Needs & Fears" , Wed 16 Aug 23:20

Doug Pretorius

"Re(1):Feeling a little discouraged right abou" , Wed 16 Aug 20:52