It's all about the presentation
I was on my way to a listing appointment when I saw this sign.
Now I don't know about you but to me there was a certain "tone" behind it. See it? I thought so. I realize the word PLEASE is in there, but really?
Now I'm not saying that it's not okay to voice your opinion, go off on someone (that deserves it) or even jolt some people back into reality, but honestly does anyone else agree with me that there is a certain amount of decorum necessary?
I think about all of the times that I have had to stand up for what I believed in or had to persuade others to see a solution that I had in mind was in their best interest. How many times have I had to handle a sticky situation with my children, husband, team mate, office employee, Seller or Buyer for that matter. Did I just barrel down their hallway and start screaming like a lunatic? Throw the stapler at them? Pegged them with spit balls? Turn their offers or contracts into paper airplanes and dart them in their direction? Heavens no. (did I secretly what to do all of those things? well, maybe sometimes)
Did I remind myself that I could achieve more with a better presentation? Gosh, darn, yes. We all know that it's necessary once in a while. Definitely, when a deal is going south and the other party can't see or won't see that there is a positive outcome if we just work through these details. Yes, some of these "details" may not be fun, nor popular or down right unpleasant. But to achieve our ultimate outcome and goal, was it necessary? Absolutely.
Do you think that I handled the truth in a polite, delicate way to make sure that they didn't get upset and start tuning me out or storm out of the room or heaven forbid ask me to leave their home? It was vital that I keep those lines of communication open, to be able to explain the circumstances, the path that we needed to take in order to achieve our goal and have it be successful.
So, Mr. Car Wash owner is conveying to HIS CLIENTS (and obviously some that aren't) that he is NOT happy that people are dumping trash in his dumpster, eh? That's fine and dandy, everyone has to vent once and while, right? Well..... What about the clients that aren't doing the offensive dumping on the property? How do you think they perceived Mr. Car Wash? Was it okay to BLAST everyone over the billboard? What about the people that WERE NOT yet his clients (like I could have possibly been driving by in a dirty car)? Think that they would have stopped in after seeing that sign? I know when I drove into the parking lot that I was half expecting to see some crazed guy running after my car like I was violating some privacy laws. I figured it he was willing to post the sign on his property that he was willing for many, many people to see what his message was, right?
Could the message have been said differently? How about "We are happy to have you dump your trash here when your a customer" or "dumpster available to customers only". I've got another one: "Trash dumping for car wash friends" I mean how many illegal dumpster dumpers would think if they were a friend or not? What about a sign ON the dumpster itself for the intended?
I know that his intended message was to the illegal people trespassing and illegally dumping, but what about the rest of us? Think he was making friends and influencing other people?
I was caught off guard by the message and was just wondering about the presentation.
You be the judge and tell me if I'm off base here.
Disclaimer: My intent is to not blast Mr. Carwash but to use his intended message as a good learning experience.
Serving the needs of Agents, Buyer's and Seller's for over 25 years.
Sheila Moran, Broker/Owner
RE/MAX ACCESS
19115 FM 2252, Ste. 7
Garden Ridge, Texas 78266
210-657-7500 / 210-325-6962
I would have rather seen something more positive on that big, expensive sign. How about putting a lock on the dumpster or a seperate sign attached to the dumpster. I don't agree with the way iit was presented, doesn't look professional and not a good way to get your point across. That's just my opinion.
The clients that are not dumping should take no offense to the message and the ones that are dumping should stop dumping after all he did say please.
This is excellent reasoning on your behalf!
Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"
C & C-
My thoughts exactly! Thanks for chiming in!
I Net Realty Group-your right about the word please, but it's still a word that can be screamed!
Richard-Thank you for the feature (and lessons that I have learned from you!)
The message is a great one...it would cause me to continue driving right on by!
The sign doesn't really bother me; it just makes me feel kind of sorry for him because of his problem... he is evidently frustrated that people are abusing his dumpster. The words tell a story. :o) If I were the owner of the business, I might want to use those same words but I would probably go with "dumpster use for customers only" or something like that.
Sheila,
I tend to side with Shirley, the sign doesn't really bother me, I can only imagine the owners frustration that led him to this decision. The question I have is: where are these people dumping...that is maybe they're dumping their trash on the ground by the vaccum. I have seen this and all I can do is shake my head and wonder what values those people were raised with. Like the person who empties a full ash try in a parking lot as if it were their own private dump or front yard.
In our business, we know it's all about presentation and integrity...some have not learned that yet. I think most have.
It's a shame in today's society that this owner had to go to such extreme lengths to get people to quit dumping trash on his property. I believe he could have presented it better.....I'd rather set a trap for those dumping trash, such as super glue them to the trash they are dumping and let the owner find them. Or give them a shock like a doggie security fence for crossing the line.
what about the people like me who get a car wash and use the occasion to empty out the accumulated flyers on the floor, the mris printouts and the cookie wrappers? I think he might be talking to me!
Hi Shelia,
You put some thought in this post and suggested some excellent points that we should all consider!
Woo...he's all fired up! I think I would feel like a scary guy would come after me if I dumped my stuff there!!
I hear ya...I think something along the lines of "Dumpers will be Shot" would work well here! LOL!! I agree with you, he is not conveying a positive message to his "non-dumping" customers and potential customers. Why not just put a sign near the dumpster or even lock the dumpster during off hours...hmmm....anger issues??? :o))))
Sheila - I think you hit the nail squarely on the head here. I think the best solution would be to have a sign on the dumpster discouraging this behavior. When you broadcast this on your "primary" sign, it makes customers feel like this is the foremost thing on your mind.
That's why I love AR. The blogs are so rich and diversified. What a great point to make about using words as positive vs. negative.
"Get your car washed here . . . and dump your garbage for FREE"
Might be a nice way to appease . . . hey, if you can't beat 'em . . .
(Or, just buy a big padlock and lock the bin??)
I understand that the owner of the car wash is frustrated. Would a sign ON the dumpster not be more appropriate? He is "wasting" valuable real estate on his big sign there that could be used to advertise his specials.
Sheila:
Wrong location for this sign. You got it right. Someone vented their anger in the wrong direction.
We've all been pushed to the point of using poor judgement at some point, and this obviously was such a point for this manager or owner. Hopefully he removed the sign before scaring away too many potential customers because I guarantee the people who were dumping trash on his property aren't phased by the sign.
Hi Sheila -- I think you are spot on (no pun intended.) I perceive this as negative, through and through. I would avoid this car wash. This owner would have been better off having localized signs at the trash can site with a trendy message perhaps. I wonder if his sales are down after putting this message up?
Sheila~ I think it is a great sign if you have too much business and don't care about losing a bunch of it .... Negative advertising never helps anyone's business!
The effect of the sign is that this is not a pleasant place to be. I would look for a friendlier car wash.
Sheila,
I see you are from SA, so am I. Where's this car wash at anyways? A tenant left an old sofa in a rental property. lol
Before I wrote a blog criticizing the business owner for saying something publicly that CLEARLY was frustrating him/her, I think I might have stopped in, gotten my car washed, and asked the business owner or manager "What's Up With That SIGN??" and gotten the scoop. Now THAT would have probably made a more interesting and thought provoking blog. Instantaneous judgements rarely are correct.
Sheila all that matters is did you get the listing? This sign bothered you enough to post a blog about it, I hope you did not let it affect your presentation. "Only control the controllables", as Realtors we have too much negativity around us daily and we need to stay positive and keep garbage out of our minds (some of us need that sign on our fore heads) throughout the day. If because of that sign people choose to wash their car else where, so be it. I fail to believe that they have lost any significant business because someone felt offended by that sign. I mean seriously HOOTERS, CRACKER BARROWS, DICKS SPORTING GOODS (I am sure there are a few more) are surviving and doing just fine and I would guarantee that their are people out there that find those names offensive. I believe that if you provide quality service it overshadows everything else. So just like Shirley and Nick, sign wouldn't bother me. What's important is "DID YOU GET THE LISTING. None the less interesting subject enjoyed sharing my opinion.........
By the way I am a Mexican/American and I occasionally eat at TACO BELL (Run for the border/Chihuahua commercials). Not offended.......
Mario Zavala
Century 21 United Realty
Los Angeles, Ca.
SISTER! congrats on your featured post! Way to go sheila, way to go!! T says congrats also!! Stir up that pot girl! K
It seems to me that this business has had a problem with people dumping their trash. My take on the message was that if you are getting your car cleaned or detailed, clean out all the garbage before you get here.
Hola! Mario,
I used to guage how good or authentic the food is at Mexican restaurants by the number of Spanish speaking people dining there...and now you tell me you eat at Taco Bell??? You just can't trust anyone!
By the way...I think your response was right on.
You should be offended only if you are guilty. Then really you don't have a right to be angry if you are using the dumpster illegally
Well I have been brought up on the " it's not what you say....but how you say it"phillosophy.
How youspeak and phrase your words says volumes.
Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh homes
I guess I'm in the minority because the sign doesn't bother me. And he did say "please," for crying out loud. Maybe he's hoping somebody will squeal on the guys who are doing the dumping?
His message is not intended for his customers. It's intended for the thugs who are dumping trash on his property. And you can't be polite and get your way with morons.
The sign doesn't bother me - sounds like the guy was frustrated. I do think he could have posted it in the place where the actual trash was being dumped, think that would have been better and more directed to the clients coming into the wash...
Perhaps, he could simply close the dumpster. Most people do not want to touch the doors on the dumpsters!
Shelia - In my opinion a sign on the dumpster is the way to go. If anything this sign might encourage people to dumb trash there.
What may first sound like a good idea, when looked at longer and deeper, seems not to be so.
Thank goodness I've learned the "draft" mode when it comes to e-mails....or I'd still be dealing with things.
Guess they should of thought through the meaning of what they were saying.
Hi Sheila ~ Since so many nowadays consider anywhere outdoors to be one big dumpster I would say "right on" if I saw that sign. Clearly it's motivated by bad experiences.
That being said I agree with some commenters that suggested he's wasting good space on that sign and one on the dumpster might be better.
However I also understand the motivation to put it right out there - big and bold - so the miscreants who are using his car wash as a dump get the message loud and clear.
Liz
Hey Sheila, I think many car washes in general take in a lot more trash than they probably should...I mean, that's where we clean out the car and throw out the junk!
I think it would have probably been better if the Owner had just increased his/her trash service to pick up one extra day than to post that particular message...a message like "Thank you for choosing us!" would have presented a much more positive tone.
All the best,
-Keith
Interesting comments on both sides- It occurs to me, that people in general have taken many more liberties than they did in the past- We as a society have replaced civility with the assumed rights of entitlement.
The owner may be responding to the manner in which trash is being dumped (strewn) about his establishment. Litter is unsightly, and bad for business. It is costly either in time or wages paid to an employee to clean up, if it has not been disposed of properly. And the chances are it has not.
People sometimes can be very abusive of a service or establishment, or someone's good nature. I don't fault the business owner for stating his problem and asking for cooperation on his billboard-
It is testimony that things we took for granted 30 years ago, being considerate, , and being respectful of others property and cleaning up after yourself have taken a turn for the worse. Sad.
Hi Sheila,
Hmmm... I guess I'm in the minority here too. The sign doesn't bother me at all, and I would never give it a second thought.
Very good point.
Every once in a while I get set off by the vacationers here, and I try to "educate" them over my blog & Twitter. Sometimes I find myself asking the question "Would I be saying this to them directly?". If not, then I try to find a better way to word the post.
Liz,
I completely agree with your statement that so many are using the outdoors as a general dumping ground.
I think the billboard screams ANGRY OWNER and does not promote a friendly image of his business.
Shelia, spreading negativity makes you want to just drive on by. I think there are better responses to this like a sign back by the dumpster, not his main sign. The owner has a right to be angry, but it comes across like he is angry at EVERYONE!!
This is a good reminder to manage the message... whatever the message may be and think about who the target audiance is! Thanks for sharing. I think it owuld be fun to bring him a padlock for his dumpster and ask if you can borrow the billboard space for one month to see if you can show him the power of positive advertising.
The "offending dumpers" probably won't read or abide by the message; however, I am sure Mr.Carwash's personnel will get some discussion on the sign.....message received!!!
I think the owner has every right to post whatever he wants, it is his sign. I wonder what he posted during the elections. This is a car wash, not an open house. Let's keep this in the proper context.
Good messages can be presented in such a way that customers ONLY remember the presentation and not the message. Unfortunate but true.
The sign is a bit tackey... As I was shopping this morning in my favorite store (Home Depot, of course) I saw a hand written sign in the tile clearance bin. It said "Thanks for not mixing up the tile in the individual boxes". Now that was NICE...I even thought so this morning before I read your post.
This sign seems akin to someone yelling "You kids get offa my LAWN!"
Poor Mr. Carwash....whatever inspired him to put this sign up in public could not have been pretty. The guy needs a hug....and a padlock for his dumpster.
Sheila - Ok, so I told you this morning I commented on this, apparently I didn't (probably another case of writing it and forgetting to hit submit). Either way, 1) congrats on the feature, 2) I don't love the sign, but I'm not offended really (it takes a lot to get me going), and 3) it definitely could have been done better. Your example of using this as a discussion point is what I love most. At the end of the day, the sign matters less than the message you're getting across.
PS Don't believe her kids...she makes all of my contracts into paper airplanes and I have stapler scars all over my head! Haha.
(Obviously, I'm just kidding.)
Sorry guys,
I wrote this post in the truck doing 80 heading down to the beach last friday!
Since then my laptop never had good enough service for me to respond! (whew, lucky me, right?)
Anyway's, I'll log on tonight and respond.
Thanks for the comments, good and bad!
I would say if it is that BIG of a problem they need to hire security or an attendant! It's all about presentation and delivery!
Let me start by saying that I can see the frustration and lack of consideration on the "offenders", truly I do. I wasn't that offended (as some may suggest) just thought that there was some other possibilities for him. That's all.
HOLA RICHARD- drive by? I was too interested to see!
HOLA SHIRLEY- I totally understand why the owner did that out of frustration. Heck, can you image dealing with that trash mess everyday!
HOLA NICK- oh, the shaking of the head
HOLA KAY- Love the super glue idea!
HOLA LISE- heck, he could even be talking to me!!!
HOLA DORIE-Thank you!
HOLA KRISTIN-Fire it up! Fire it up!
HOLA JEANI- You know that the "Dumpers will be shot" sign CAN ONLY work in Texas! haha
HOLA JASON-I agree! Thanks for stopping by!
HOLA CARLA- Love the tag line!
HOLA SUSANNE- Yes, sign on the dumpster, good idea!
HOLA CAROL- Ah, the old venting of the anger gets us again!
HOLA MARGARET- Your right about the offenders not phased by the sign!
HOLA CHRIS- I'm curious too?
HOLA VICKIE- I agree!
HOLA MELISSA- I'll never tell!
HOLA PAT- There is no attendent on staff. It's just a drive up and self serve car wash (hence, why I guess there is a problem with the dumpers!)
HOLA MARIO- Yes, I did get the listing and wasn't as offended as my words may have come across. I just thought it was a little out of place around a bunch of other signs that had many other messages, that's all!
HOLA SYBIL- Oh, if we all could just have a clean car, huh?
HOLA RUSS-gotcha!
HOLA PATRICIA- My mother used to say, "if you don't have anything nice to say...."
HOLA ELIZABETH- Of course it's obvious what the message is for, but what about his customers?
HOLA EMILY- great idea!
HOLA MICHELLE-I agree!
HOLA THOM- love the "draft" idea!
HOLA ELIZABETH-wasted good space, another great thought!
HOLA KEITH- another great idea! I love it!
HOLA FLORIDA PINES- so sad is true.
HOLA MICHAEL-It's all about perception, huh?
HOLA JEAN-PAUL- right on!
HOLA ERICA- Angry? yes, Frustrated? probably even more, huh?
HOLA GARY- great point of spreading the negativity
HOLA ALLEN TATE REALTORS- manage the message, awesome point!
HOLA WALLACE- positive or negative, guess your right!
HOLA KNIGHTYME- Good point!
HOLA SANDRA- Your the first one to say TACKEY. Good point!
HOLA COLEEN- Your right, I'm sure he needs a hug!
HOLA MATT- Laughing, laughing. Let's see what I can do next to "rile" you up!
HOLA RENEE- Definately would be an issue!