where do you draw the line on what is tresspassing?

[whistlepig]

We have big dogs and are responsible for them as well we should be. We keep them inside a fence with gates. Going through a gate with out permission is a very good way to find out why the gate and fence were there in the first place.

 

[bstrom]

Common sense and courtesy - as others have said knock on the door - "Can I look at the whatever you have for sale?" That's it. If they are not home - look at the item on the way out.

 

[ShenandoahJoe]

I try to put myself in the other guy's shoes. If I were selling a tractor, and somebody didn't buy it out of respect for my fence, I'd think that was bad. If someone hopped my fence to check it out, I'd figure that's why my fence was hoppable.

Of course, I'd try to put items for sale outside the fence, if at all possible.

 

[mjw357]

Just common courtesy to knock on the door to see if someone's home. That way they aren't surprised when they look out the kitchen window to see someone out there. They might also have a phone number on the 'FOR SALE' sign. Whip out your cell phone and talk to the person. Even if they arent' around, at least you talked to them and they know someone was there. If they have a reason for you NOT to look at it at that time, they will tell you.

 

[Jstpssng]

Just common courtesy to knock on the door to see if someone's home. That way they aren't surprised when they look out the kitchen window to see someone out there. They might also have a phone number on the 'FOR SALE' sign. Whip out your cell phone and talk to the person. Even if they arent' around, at least you talked to them and they know someone was there. If they have a reason for you NOT to look at it at that time, they will tell you.

I like to be able to check something out, without having the owner looking over my shoulder trying to give me a sales pitch.
If they don't want you looking at it they shouldn't park it near the road with a sign on it.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with most of the previous posts. Putting something out with a "For Sale" sign in your yard is an indication that it's ok to come and look at it. Same principal applies when you put a realtors sign up trying to sell your house. You do that and you can expect people to drive down your driveway. If you DON'T want that to happen you can sell things without posting signs or displaying them.

I'm in law enforcement and I would not make an arrest of someone who went to look at an item displayed with a for sale sign on it. (BTW - walking on someone elses land that isn't fenced or posted, is NOT trespassing and is legal UNTIL you tell the person to get off and they don't. Then it becomes trespassing).

thanks for the LEO perspective.

soundguy

 

[tulenutn2o]

For what it's worth. Posted signs carry no real legal weight of law. Posting a for sale sign on an item and placing item in view of road is gonna generate interest. The owner is said to have instigated said interest by way of posting a sign that a normal person would take as an invitation to look at. Normally, at least around these parts, you have to be asked to leave, and refuse, to be charged with tress-pass.

 

[merrickvilleguy]

Doesn't hurt to ask permission ... I kinda use the fence as the cut off point to entering someones property to take a look at things. Generally speaking, if they are looking to sell, they don't have problems saying sure go ahead.

 

[rekees4300]

anyone care to offer an opinion on this? I realize this is alot of grey area.. so.. what y'all say?

What constitutes "trespassing" varies from state to state so you should check your state's laws.

 

[sandman2234]

I have been looking for another truck and have stopped to look at several lately parked near the road (closer than to the house). Never knock, will not open a gate or cross a fence, and absolutely never touch the vehicle. I might get seen leaning over the front fender to see the sign better or holding a hand up to shade the glare so I can see the milage, but not going to open any doors or pop the hood. I did cross a set of railroad tracks to get a look at a nice F350, the other day (shame it was a gas engine) but I parked tthe 70 foot rig with the flashers going right in front of it. As I was walking away the owner spoke and we chatted a little but he knew I was not interested. One truck right down the street from me had a fence and I couldn't catch owner at home before it sold. Asked him later and he said he sold it cheap because nobody ever called about it. I told him I didn't call because I couldn't read the phone number on the sign laying flat on the dash. He said I could have come inside the gate and my response was "I wasn't going to invite myself in"
David from jax