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.