Sign witten van or unmarked car.

[apdevelopments]

Hi.
I thought I should ask your opinions on this subject.
I have been using my unmarked car to run my business from for the past 2 years.
I used to own a small fiesta van that was sign written with my stuff all over it.
Then one day outside a customers house it got broken into whilst I was working away inside.
They nicked my roof rack with the ladders locked to it. Smashed the back window which was blacked out and pinched all my dewalts.
When this happened I removed the sign writing and flogged the van.
since then I have always used my estate car. It's never been broken into or even looked at.
I sometimes wonder if I loose alittle business because of the lack of sign writing.
even tho the car is clean and tidy. I turn up in a uniform with logos on my sweat shirt and jacket and keep a tidy professional look to my business.
its got to that time where I need to buy a newer estate car. Me old Volvo has failed its mot and needs a grand spending on it as the brakes are shot. It's a 2.4 petrol so it drinks like a Irish pub. So it's time to go.
Now my wife says to keep to the estate car. A Toyota auras hybrid estate takes my fancy. A big car with 50mpg.
Anyway I still keep thinking about that sign written van again but the wife says don't bother as it will get done over.
so im dammed if I have a sign written van and I'm dammed if I don't.
other friends in the trade say stick with the car. Then others swear by the van but have been done over atleast twice.
Others have mentioned magnetic signs but one friend had the actual magnetic signs nicked off the van.
whats your opinions on this subject?
many thanks.

 

[R G]

I use magnetic signs , I had a van done over once and that had no signs at all I think if its a van its a target anyway...

Theres a lot to be said for an estate car though..

 

[GMES]

I personally think a car looks unprofessional, just my opinion but if you're only house bashing then it is probably ok.
I can't imagine turning up at a commercial or industrial job in a car, also with a car you can't have much in the way of tools or materials.

 

[HandySparks]

My choice is an unmarked van with metal bulkhead, no windows in the rear, and a good alarm system.

At least they've got to actually break in to discover whether there's anything worth nicking in it.

 

[Geordie Spark]

My choice is an unmarked van with metal bulkhead, no windows in the rear, and a good alarm system.

At least they've got to actually break in to discover whether there's anything worth nicking in it.

I agree with all you have said.

A sign written van is an invitation for trouble.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Hi.
I thought I should ask your opinions on this subject.
I have been using my unmarked car to run my business from for the past 2 years.
I used to own a small fiesta van that was sign written with my stuff all over it.
Then one day outside a customers house it got broken into whilst I was working away inside.
They nicked my roof rack with the ladders locked to it. Smashed the back window which was blacked out and pinched all my dewalts.
When this happened I removed the sign writing and flogged the van.
since then I have always used my estate car. It's never been broken into or even looked at.
I sometimes wonder if I loose alittle business because of the lack of sign writing.
even tho the car is clean and tidy. I turn up in a uniform with logos on my sweat shirt and jacket and keep a tidy professional look to my business.
its got to that time where I need to buy a newer estate car. Me old Volvo has failed its mot and needs a grand spending on it as the brakes are shot. It's a 2.4 petrol so it drinks like a Irish pub. So it's time to go.
Now my wife says to keep to the estate car. A Toyota auras hybrid estate takes my fancy. A big car with 50mpg.
Anyway I still keep thinking about that sign written van again but the wife says don't bother as it will get done over.
so im dammed if I have a sign written van and I'm dammed if I don't.
other friends in the trade say stick with the car. Then others swear by the van but have been done over atleast twice.
Others have mentioned magnetic signs but one friend had the actual magnetic signs nicked off the van.
whats your opinions on this subject?
many thanks.

Take your wife's advice - if only only on this subject!!

 

[Octopus]

I've got an unmarked vehicle, with a private plate with my company "initials" - this is always recognised by clients but not the scum who want to empty out all my tools and stuff.

 

[7029 dave]

Yes, I can see both sides. My mate is an heating eng, his van was broken into twice in 6 months.

 

[newtothis]

Thinking out of my box here. :egypt:
Has anyone tried reverse physiology eg sticking a sign in the back window saying.
Expensive tools and drugs are stored in the van overnight. LOL

 

[HandySparks]

Thinking out of my box here. :egypt:
Has anyone tried reverse physiology eg sticking a sign in the back window saying.
Expensive tools and drugs are stored in the van overnight. LOL

I was thinking of a magnetic sign "Cleaning Services" or "Pest Control".

 

[Octopus]

I was thinking of a magnetic sign "Cleaning Services" or "Pest Control".

"Guard Dogs for hire"??

 

[Leesparkykent]

I had one van sign written and had it about 2.5 years only ever got two phone calls from it. One phone call was about hogging the middle lane lol (the apprentice on the way to the wholesalers)
and the other was an enquiry about replacing a fluorescent in a Chinese takeaway kitchen (fluorescent had that much grease stuck to it I got the apprentice to stick up the new 1 and let him keep all money I charged). I probably would never bother having my vans sign written again.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Yes, I can see both sides. My mate is an heating eng, his van was broken into twice in 6 months.

I rest my case!

 

[ipf]

I rest my case!

I remember sitting on mine.....waiting for a taxi

 

[Adam W]

It depends on what kind of business you have.
If you can survive on recommendations there's no point advertising what you've got in your van, but if you've based your business around image then driving around in a van with your name on it was probably half the reason you did your domestic installer course in the first place.

 

[Guest77]

Diy or Proffessional contractor?

 

[mayfair]

It's the person that's driving it. I could turn up on a push bike and my customers would be pleased to see me. some people don't half talk crap!

Diy or Proffessional contractor?

 

[Guest77]

Calm down you big poof :biggrin:

 

[amlu]

im often turning up for commercial jobs in central london on push bike or public transport. customers are smiling, no £££ in parking charges to pay

 

[davesparks]

I don't think people really notice what is written on your van or even your work clothes.
I've been walking around in jackets with 'Vulcan Fireworks' in big letters on the back of them for years doing electrical work and no one has said a word.

 

[TJ Anderson]

What about a signed estate car!! That would be the worst of both worlds for you

 

[Leesparkykent]

It's the person that's driving it. I could turn up on a push bike and my customers would be pleased to see me. some people don't half talk crap!

what if you turned up in this? Lol

 

[Geordie Spark]

Diy or Proffessional contractor?

One "f" or two???

It's professional.


It's ok Mark ... I haven't charged you for my services.

 

[Guest77]

what if you turned up in this? Lol

haha, love it, but it isn't the transport that is the problem, even turning up on a push bike would create a smile on a customers face, providing a car or van was behind it with the kit on board :biggrin:

 

[HandySparks]

Diy or Proffessional contractor?

Don't ever get your van signwritten "Proffessional contractor".


Edit: I see Geordie got there first.

 

[Dcf]

When I first started I worked out of my car which I found pretty hopeless tbh.
got enough money to get a van and bought an ex bt transit.
gave it a right good polish and got it sign written , looked the part.
kept the same logo and font since in the same colours as well.
does it get me anymore work?
dont know really.
what I will say is that I've been in some well off the beaten track bits of scotland and someone will say I saw your van such and such a place you get about
its not the first time someone's asked if I've got a fleet!
as Jim royle said
hes everywhere that lad .....like **** in a field.
if you are in the type of area where it attracts thieving dirtbags I wouldn't bother though.
i find it works for me as I don't advertise anywhere
but my mate has been going 20 years on his own and has never sign written any vans he has had and he is always busy so I don't think there is much in it .
my old gaffer always had a nice audi( back when they weren't 10 a penny mind)
he liked them cos they were nice but inconspicuous .
he told me he would like a range rover but if he rolled up in one the customers would think he was charging too much and not give him any work .
the general public can be hard to fathom at times

 

[TJ Anderson]

"Mornin love. I'm ere to test yer electrics. Got me compex and all that. Get the kettle on already!!"

 

[Guest77]

Don't ever get your van signwritten "Proffessional contractor".

I won't thanks for the tip :biggrin: not sure it would fit on the side of my horse in any case.

 

[Geordie Spark]

I don't think people really notice what is written on your van or even your work clothes.
I've been walking around in jackets with 'Vulcan Fireworks' in big letters on the back of them for years doing electrical work and no one has said a word.

I had a sweatshirt with "Easylay Flooring Contractors - Shagpile Specialists Tel:69-69-69" printed on the front.

That raised a few eyebrows.

 

[specs]

My choice is an unmarked van with metal bulkhead, no windows in the rear, and a good alarm system.

At least they've got to actually break in to discover whether there's anything worth nicking in it.

That is what I have now, still been broken into, but not as often as I was before

 

[apdevelopments]

Thankyou for all your replys.
Yes unfortunatly there's plenty of dirtbags here quite happy to nick anything they can.
I can understand that a commercial contractor should have a sign written van but I'm a domestic part p installer so I only house bash as one reply said.
That day I got done over. I'm sure it was one of the neighbours. I arrived in the morning to do the day's work. Took all my tools out of the van and put them in the house. It was at the end of the day and I had just loaded up to go home. Locked the van and went back into the house to settle up for the job. 5 mins max. Didn't hear the alarm going off. Just a very dented roof where they ripped off my roof rack and a big pile of glass at the back of the van and no tools. Very quick and I was very ****ed. Almost chucked the job in all together as I had to start again. Unfortunatly I no longer use dewalts but have to settle for silverline ones.
Looks like the estate car is the answer then.
I could use one of these but I'm sure a little hooded scroat will run off with it.

Many thanks.

 

[amlu]

i have a wickes tool chest on wheels, it looks scruffy dusty with drops of cement and plaster. inside goes all powertools, nice shiny cases stay at home. easy to take it home after work.

 

[NDG Elecs]

I have unsigned van good alarm full bulkhead combo too. Had no problems. Gotta be a lot to do with the location also I would think.

The lovely Brysons bakers in Keswick have 'no cakes are stored in this van overnight' on their vans... Now their chow is bloody decent, but not worth getting arrested for!

 

[Tidy Max]

Mines unmarked and its just been done in

 

[R G]

Van vault is the only answer , with a sign stating you have one ...

 

[shanky887614]

Van vault is the only answer , with a sign stating you have one ...

yes but then they will break in to see if they can nick the vanvault and open it later at there leisure.

not everyone bolts them down

 

[ImpededLoop]

Hopefully if you make it harder to get to your tools, they give up and go elsewhere to an easier target.

 

[percysybil]

estate car for me...

 

[Guest77]

Horse, Estate car or Professional Contractor?

 

[R G]

Horse, Estate car or Professional Contractor?

I would have said horse , but fuel has got cheaper ....

 

[gaulty]

I've just started on my own and I am using an estate car, it's ok but defo need a van, don't think I would get it signed unless I had a secured driveway

 

[uksparks]

I was unsure about getting decals etc on my combo van, but then I thought sod it, it's a van which means someone will try it regardless of what it says.

Fortunately I keep my van in a secure garge now.