Using FedEx Envelope To Drop Letter
I am planning on using FedEx envelope to drop off my information letter at homes I am interested in.
Since the envelopes from FedEx are free, I was wondering what is the legal risk in using there envelope and not shipping it with them?
Fed Ex is not a Federal buisness even though the name would suggest otherwise. with that said it really doesnt matter what you use the letters for. fed ex supplies are free and can be ordered with a fed ex acct number or picked up at any local dropbox. the worse they can do is tell you to stop and refuse to give you anymore letters. I am a fed ex courier and we get people all the time that use the letters for sending things UPS or USPS and we are told to tell them we will stop giving them supplies if they dont stop using our supplies for other companys revenue. in this case you are not doing that and infact you leaving them on there door gets that fed ex name out there more, I see nothing wrong with that but I am just a courier, not Fred Smith. good luck.
A quick follow up, I dropped ten of my business promo letters in the Fed Ex envelopes on Friday and had three calls over the weekend and might get more tomorrow. Plan on dropping 25 more before Wednesday, will keep you updated!
Just curious, how are you "dropping" the letters? Are you leaving them on their doorsteps? And what does the letter contain? Is it the "I want to buy your house" pitch?
Sorry for all of the questions, but this seemed like too good of an idea to not get the full picture.
In the words of Gomez Adams, "that's a capital idea!"
Hmm. Think I'll give it a try.
Thanks,
OTW :-D
A quick follow up on Frd-Ex letters.
I have dropped 40 letters this week, 20 in Fed Ex envelopes, and 20 just the promo letter in peoples mailbox.
I put it in the Fed-Ex envel if it is a FSBO, If their is a realtor sign in the yard, I drop it in a mailbox.
6 calls this week, 3 from FSBO-3 from people with a realtor.
2 meetings set up for Friday.
The first meeting is with a FSBO football coach who's taken a job on the other side of town and wants to move closer. (know the feeling was a coach for 10 years and moved 6 times)
The second meeting is with a couple who is listed with a realtor and the husband was trasfered to Arizona and the wife is still here in Tulsa, He is flying in today and wants to meet tomorrow.
My overall goal (Remember Set Goals!) is to put out 200 letters a month, get 25 phone calls, 10 meetings and make 2-3 deals.
Rob Carroll
AHS
isn't it illegal to leave things in mailboxes that aren't from the USPS? I've heard that before....
it is not wise to put anything in mailbox that is not postmarked. the postmaster generals office will come after you. i know years ago i put flyers in mailboxes you would think i had commited a federal crime, according to them i had, i didn't know any better. they ended up just giving me a stiff warning. be aware it is a fed. offence.........kenmax
It is a federal offense to steal or take mail, not deposit.
. )
If you drop off something not in an envelope and no return address there is no issue.
If your concerned then tape it to the mailbox or take your kid with you and have him run up to the front door and drop it off. (although be careful! the child labor commission might be out to get you
I'm in NW Arkansas; I'd love to touch base with you the next time I'm over in Tulsa. I'm really interested in what your letters look like (if you're willing to share).
Hey Rob,
Creative Thinking---A+
Goal Setting--B+
Use of Time--C+ (why approach houses with Agents signs on them...focus on a smaller more motivated groups...like the FSBO)
Ethics--F (you are stealing from Fed Ex.)
From your own results, there does not seem to be any difference between ones you put in some ones mail box and the Fed Ex ones. Just use regular envelopes and avoid any problems.
Yeah, Bruce.
A few stolen FedEx envelopes wouldn't bother me but you start taking 100 a month on a regular basis and I have a little problem with that.
Be careful with the leads you find with the realtor signs in the yard..
Up here in WA any house sold by ANY EFFORT from the realtor results in the realtor being owed the commission.
IE. you saw the sign, that’s a marketing effort on the part of the realtor therefore if you buy the house they are owed the 6% commission.
As far as ethics are concerned I wouldn’t feel right unless I had FEDEX consent.
Check out this site for a myriad of eye catching express mail material..
http://store.yahoo.com/actionenvelopes/specialty-envelopes-express-envelopes.html
By the way you have a great idea. I use the same technique but only I pay for DHL to deliver.
Are you spending your time plus gas money dropping these Fed-Ex envelopes and mailings off?
The cost to deliver a DHL package to a local homeowner is $3.45 (3 day delivery) in my area. I would rather pay for delivery rather than spend my time driving around and using my gas. I am a fan of using your time wisely.
My packages are getting great responses unlike the many plain envelopes homeowners used to receive from me.
Quote:
On 2004-07-22 09:36, andersoninvestment wrote:
A quick follow up on Frd-Ex letters.
I have dropped 40 letters this week, 20 in Fed Ex envelopes, and 20 just the promo letter in peoples mailbox.
I put it in the Fed-Ex envel if it is a FSBO, If their is a realtor sign in the yard, I drop it in a mailbox.
6 calls this week, 3 from FSBO-3 from people with a realtor.
2 meetings set up for Friday.
The first meeting is with a FSBO football coach who's taken a job on the other side of town and wants to move closer. (know the feeling was a coach for 10 years and moved 6 times)
The second meeting is with a couple who is listed with a realtor and the husband was trasfered to Arizona and the wife is still here in Tulsa, He is flying in today and wants to meet tomorrow.
My overall goal (Remember Set Goals!) is to put out 200 letters a month, get 25 phone calls, 10 meetings and make 2-3 deals.
Rob Carroll
AHS
Geez, not sure where to start so I won't but I am not stealing (which I did not know you could steal something that is free) that much from Fed Ex and if it cuts into their profit or I'm asked to stop I will. But they have brought great results in the past week and I don't mind the driving around, it is just as quick as looking up the name and address and doing a mass mail. Plus i'm getting much better results.
As for the Realtor's . I make clear to every client that I talk to who is listed, that I cannot and will not reach a deal with them while they are under contract with a realtor. They made that deal and the Realtor has first shot and selling the home.
I present them with an option if the Realtor is unable to sell their home and the listing is about to expire. Now if they asked to be released from their contract that is their own doing and I would never encourage anybody to do so.
With that being said, can I move up the Ethics grade to at least passing? pleeeseee!
I primise to attend summer school!
:-D
Rob
Hey Rob
I don't think you understand the situation, so I am going to change your grades (why didn't I have teachers like this in school???):
Ethics--D+
Law--F
The envelopes that Fed Ex provides are NOT free; they are provided free of charge to be used with THEIR OVERNIGHT SERVICE. Somewhere on the envelope there should be a Terms of Service. I don't use FedEx, so I can't tell you where it is. On DHL, it is on the bottom of the envelope.
Truthfully FedEx is not going to miss a few envelopes (a couple hundred might be a different issue), but small things like this come back and bite you.
Stay on the right side of the law.
Bruce Almighty,
Words spoken like a true lawyer,..oh wait you obviously have to much ethics and morals to be a lawyer.
Thank you for showing me the errors of my ways. In the future I promise the following...........
1. I promise to never run down the hall with scissors in my hand.
2. I promise to never claim any drinks that I may have at dinner as a "business expense".
3. I promise to never download any illegal music off the internet.
4. I promise to never watch hockey in a climate above 50 degrees.
5. I promise to never mistake Michael Moore as the real "Fat Bastard".
6. I promise to never stuff National Security Documents in my pants and socks by accident.
7. I promise to never go to War until I have found those darn WMD's
8. I promise to never inhale or have sexual relations in the white house.
9. I promise to never have my 11 year old son buy two "child" tickets for us to get into the movie at a cheaper rate.
10. I promise to never try and watch HBO through the static, (especially since the is no more roller knob on the cable boxes, or for that matter cable boxes..You older people know what I am talking about!)
Theses things I pledge on 7-26-04 and in the words of the beatuiful Scarlett O'Hare
"As God as my witness... I will never cheat again"
or better line might be....
"The world is grey Jack, the world is grey!"
Lighten up and lets buy some houses!
Rob Carroll
AHS
Bruce --
I like your format of grading !!
May I add "D" ... students needs to improve on skills, knowledge, and ethics.
1) MAIL BOXES. Continue with placing in mail boxes ... the postmaster WILL call you and warn you to stop ... after that you will be face criminal charges.
2) FED EX OR UPS ENVELOPES. Continue and these companies will go after you. The envelopes are "free" for their customers to use as part of Fed Ex or UPS shipping.
3) If you need envelopes to go a office supply store and buy them for a few dollars ... then go to the post office and buy stamps. IRS allows you to then write off these items as expenses. Great idea !
3) Continue on your current marketing system ...you can not do any investing while in jail or your name hits the paper ... people in your town will remember you.
Cheryl Lopez [ Edited by cheryllopez on Date 07/26/2004 ]
This is an ethical question, why would you even consider stealing somone elses product and using the clout of their name without paying for the service?? Regardless of whether they prosecute you or not. Bad form...
[addsig]
Hey its the fed ex courier again. yes I would have to agree with some of the commenst up there and take a little of what I said earlier back. I did not realize you would be dropping 100 a month, now that starts to cut in on a companys profits. 10 or so a month and I think no big deal but 100? thats a lot. Plus fed ex is one of the only delivery companys that does not charge for there supplies(they do this to encourage you to ship with them). but I have heard lately they are considering charging due to the steep costs in supplies because of so much waste. we get customers that order 100 envelopes a week and only ship out 20..hmmmm. so anyways I would say its a ethics thing, not a legal one. if you can sleep at night then okay(just kidding). and on another note, yes it is illegal to even touch or open someones mailbox for ANY reason. only the owner and a federal mailcarrier can do that,please be careful. we have customers all the time that leave notes saying to pleas eleave there letter or package in the mailbox, but we do not because we can get in trouble even with the owners permission. oh and one last thing, I do see the point with leaving fed ex envelopes instead of normal ones. It looks a LOT more professional when someone sees that you used fed ex to deliver a letter, it shows a level of professionlaism, but if they find out you just used an envelope and didnt actually send it, it shows a level of cheapness. sorry for the long post, good luck.
last word on this issue. I PROMISE!
1. The mailbox issue -- I researched this over the weekend and found out the following. No it is not mail fraud. But is it illegal? The answer is yes. But only if the owner of the box files a complaint and follows through on it. The fine for the crime is $200 . Now I could arugue that it might be worth paying a $200 fine every now and then to potentially make
$20,000 but I think using the child labor to run the letters up the door will be the better method. No more dropping in mailboxes. (p.s. the only reason I did in the first is because its dead summer here in Okla with the temps over 100 degrees and it was a much quicker method)
2. Fed Ex -- I wish I could report that this method does not work and does not produce deals, but that would be a lie. The original number of 100 a month will not be needed. If I can do 2 Sub To deals a months that would be great!
I passed out 20 and out of those 20 it looks like I am going to reach my goal of two deals. I will not look to advertise and buy anymore homes until I get these two homes a qulaity Tenant/Buyer.
In the meantime I will reseach a more "Ethical" way to buy homes that will produce the same results since this was so horrible to do.
Rob Carroll
AHS
p.s. Did I mention in my promise earlier that I will never watch the following Reality shows again in place of real entertainment...The Real world, Big Brother, Survivor, Who wants to marry a millionaire, Who wants to marry my dad, The Bachlor, The Bachlorette, Fear Factor, The Amazing Race, The Mole, Who wants to marry a midgit, Joe Schmoe, Road Rules, anything on WB, and the Simple Life, well maybe the Simple life (Paris is hot!)
ROB --
1) What does "AHS" represent under your name?
2) What stores have you been using for the FedEx envelopes in Sand Springs, OK?
3) Your $200 fine will not be allowed by IRS as tax write-off. Now you are welcomed to fight your case with IRS. With all your insights, reasons, and carefree business plan ... will you win your case with IRS? NO !
4) $20,000 is not worth the headaches and probems you are willing to take and risk. That will be my final say on this matter.
Cheryl Lopez
See previous post...
Rob Carroll
AHS
Quote: I was wondering what is the legal risk in using there envelope and not shipping it with them?
What is legal and what is ethical are two different questions.
I love hearing all these subject to, get the deed, have the owner sign blank contracts, deceive the lender, deceive the insurance company people grade others on their ethics scale.
The guy asked a legal question. He did not ask for the entire congregation of sinners to throw rocks at him.
THanks for the great link goose - I admit to using the FedEx envelopes (we switched to UPS at our company and have about 500 extra envelopes sitting around so I took some home) .
But I'd definately feel much better using something I buy - I;ll try to let y'll know which pulls better responses in a few weeks.
I like the suggestion by Goose_man about buying envelops from this link:
http://store.yahoo.com/actionenvelopes/specialty-envelopes-express-envelopes.html
Does anyone else have suggestions for places to buy high-impact, express mail envelops? Online sources would be most helpful.
BTW, yellow, blue and red are the overall most successful marketing colors. The next time you go to the pharmacy, look at the number of products packaged in those color combinations.
I don't know if the same is true about RE mailers, but it might be. Feedback would be appreciated about successful colors to reach motivated sellers, too.
Seriously Brenda,
I doubt if you know anything about subject to. Sinners? Geez give me a break. Its people like you who are ignorant on how it works and bad mouth it,that make me laugh. But thats fine none of us know all the techniques involved in real estate. Or maybe its your lack of comprehension. Either way I feel sorry for you
Since you say this,iam really interested in knowing what kind of deals you do. Or is just 600 posts of mere talk and no deals?
Awaiting your response
Quote:
On 2004-07-26 17:16, bgrossnickle wrote:
Quote: I was wondering what is the legal risk in using there envelope and not shipping it with them?
What is legal and what is ethical are two different questions.
I love hearing all these subject to, get the deed, have the owner sign blank contracts, deceive the lender, deceive the insurance company people grade others on their ethics scale.
The guy asked a legal question. He did not ask for the entire congregation of sinners to throw rocks at him.
[ Edited by Samw on Date 07/27/2004 ]
Gooseman - thanks for the link! I'll definitely check that out!
Ginnie
being in washington why not abx/dhl
Quote:
On 2004-07-23 14:20, Goose_man wrote:
As far as ethics are concerned I wouldn’t feel right unless I had FEDEX consent.
Check out this site for a myriad of eye catching express mail material..
http://store.yahoo.com/actionenvelopes/specialty-envelopes-express-envelopes.html
agreed, but use dhl -bright yellow gets sellers attention nothing like ronald mcdonald delivering your message
Quote:
On 2004-07-26 14:48, dlitedan wrote:
Hey its the fed ex courier again. yes I would have to agree with some of the commenst up there and take a little of what I said earlier back. I did not realize you would be dropping 100 a month, now that starts to cut in on a companys profits. 10 or so a month and I think no big deal but 100? thats a lot. Plus fed ex is one of the only delivery companys that does not charge for there supplies(they do this to encourage you to ship with them). but I have heard lately they are considering charging due to the steep costs in supplies because of so much waste. we get customers that order 100 envelopes a week and only ship out 20..hmmmm. so anyways I would say its a ethics thing, not a legal one. if you can sleep at night then okay(just kidding). and on another note, yes it is illegal to even touch or open someones mailbox for ANY reason. only the owner and a federal mailcarrier can do that,please be careful. we have customers all the time that leave notes saying to pleas eleave there letter or package in the mailbox, but we do not because we can get in trouble even with the owners permission. oh and one last thing, I do see the point with leaving fed ex envelopes instead of normal ones. It looks a LOT more professional when someone sees that you used fed ex to deliver a letter, it shows a level of professionlaism, but if they find out you just used an envelope and didnt actually send it, it shows a level of cheapness. sorry for the long post, good luck.
you can buy prepaid envelope from dhl/abx stuff as much as possible in them or just one sheet cost is same
Quote:
On 2004-07-26 19:18, MarleneM wrote:
I like the suggestion by Goose_man about buying envelops from this link:
http://store.yahoo.com/actionenvelopes/specialty-envelopes-express-envelopes.html
Does anyone else have suggestions for places to buy high-impact, express mail envelops? Online sources would be most helpful.
BTW, yellow, blue and red are the overall most successful marketing colors. The next time you go to the pharmacy, look at the number of products packaged in those color combinations.
I don't know if the same is true about RE mailers, but it might be. Feedback would be appreciated about successful colors to reach motivated sellers, too.
Maybe I'm old school, but I use large door hangers and get a pretty decent response from those. Never really tried the Fedex Envelope- but I may.
It is illegal to leave things in mailboxes, big fine here in Texas! Leave on Ft porch is a better idea. This is a new one on me, might just give it a try!
LindaTx
Quote:
On 2004-07-22 09:36, andersoninvestment wrote:
A quick follow up on Frd-Ex letters.
I have dropped 40 letters this week, 20 in Fed Ex envelopes, and 20 just the promo letter in peoples mailbox.
I put it in the Fed-Ex envel if it is a FSBO, If their is a realtor sign in the yard, I drop it in a mailbox.
6 calls this week, 3 from FSBO-3 from people with a realtor.
2 meetings set up for Friday.
The first meeting is with a FSBO football coach who's taken a job on the other side of town and wants to move closer. (know the feeling was a coach for 10 years and moved 6 times)
The second meeting is with a couple who is listed with a realtor and the husband was trasfered to Arizona and the wife is still here in Tulsa, He is flying in today and wants to meet tomorrow.
My overall goal (Remember Set Goals!) is to put out 200 letters a month, get 25 phone calls, 10 meetings and make 2-3 deals.
Rob Carroll
AHS
[addsig]