Bandit Sign Stigma: Better to Avoid All Together?

[Samantha M.]

Judging by member feedback on wholesalers in general in threads such as this http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/93/topics/71654-this-place-is-chock-a-block-with-wannabe-wholesalers-what-is-the-reality

As someone who is looking to get into wholesaling I am trying to educate myself first and foremost. But when it comes to building a buyers list, should I avoid Bandit Signs? What do you personally think when you see a bandit sign?

Bandit Signs, as the name suggests, tends to lend itself to the bad stigma of wholesalers in general , weasel clauses, inflating ARV and underestimating repairs etc.

Perhaps I should forego bandit signs and utilize more conventional methods such as REI expos, online advertisements etc

[Joshua D.]

If you're placing signs illegally, then certain people -- myself included -- will look down upon what you're doing. They are a blight and litter our neighborhoods.

Are they effective? I wouldn't know personally, but from what I hear, they are . . . that said, you're building a business, and if the first kind of marketing you do is illegal, you're probably starting on the wrong foot.

There are MANY other legal ways to market offline -- mailers, door knocking, etc. -- and a ton of online tactics you can use.

Here's a great article that you should check out:
Bandit Signs: The Ugly Way to Advertise Your Real Estate Business

The decision is yours but I'm sure you can see how I feel.