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GENERAL SERVICE QUESTIONS
SIGN PANEL QUESTIONS:
PAYMENT QUESTIONS:
WEBSITE QUESTIONS:
MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS:
GENERAL SERVICE QUESTIONS:
Q. How fast is your service?
We have a two business day installation window in our CORE VA service
area, with over 90% of jobs being completed in one business day.
Please note that this is a TWO BUSINESS day window, and does not
include weekend days (Saturday or Sunday). In our EXTENDED service
area, there is 3-5 business day installation window . It is three days
for all of Montgomery County , Northern Prince George's County,
Southern Frederick County, and parts of Howard and Anne Arundel
counties in MD and all of Washington DC . It is FIVE business days for
Fauquier, Stafford and Culpepper counties in VA, Northern Frederick
and Washington counties in MD, Franklin and Adams counties in PA and
Berkeley and Jefferson counties in WV.
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Q. What areas do you cover?
Our CORE VA SERVICE AREA includes
all of Arlington , Fairfax, Prince William and Loudon counties.
Our CORE MD and DC SERVICE AREA covers all of Montgomery County,
Northern Prince George's County, Southern Frederick County, and parts
of Howard and Anne Arundel counties in MD and all of Washington DC.
Our EXTENDED SERVICE AREA includes
Culpeper, Fauquier, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties in VA, northern
Frederick and Washington counties in MD, Berkeley and Jefferson
counties in WV and Franklin and Adams counties in PA. An additional
installer travel allowance may apply for orders in our extended
service areas.
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Q. Which service plan is best for me?
Silver (Signpost Only) – This service is for the cost conscious
agent and/or the agent who likes to store their own panels Gold
(Signpost plus Panel Storage) – This service is for the agent
who wants the convenience of having Realty SignPost store and hang
their signpanels when we install the signpost. Platinum (Signpost plus
Panel and rider Storage, For Sale rider, Brochure box and Rider
exchange ) – This service is our best deal, and is for the agent
who wants FULL service signpost installation. Wants a good deal, and
lots of convenience. Please
click here
for more information, including
prices, for our service plans.
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Q. When can I place my order?
24 hours a day! However, To get your order scheduled for the next
business day, it must be placed by 5PM. Orders placed after that time
move to the day-after-tomorrow. That means that if an order is placed
at 6PM on Tuesday, the first day that it can normally be installed is
Thursday. NOTE: All Friday and weekend orders are done Monday or
Tuesday. In order for us to provide you our best service, we ask
that you schedule as many jobs as possible on Mondays through
Wednesdays, since Thursday and Fridays are usually our busiest days.
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Q. How long will the post remain at the listing?
Current rental period is for four months. You may extend this
time frame past four months by contacting Realty Sign Post at
Info@realtysignpost.com
and telling us how much longer than four months you will need the
post. Realty Sign Post reserves the right to charge an "Extended
Post Rental Fee" for installs left over four months. Realty Sign
Post also reserves the right to remove a post, without notice, after
the four month initial installation period if you have not contacted
us requesting an extension.
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Q. Can I get a “RUSH” on my SignPost Installation?
We do our best to meet your needs, with speedy signpost installations
(90%+ jobs completed the next business day). However, if even faster
service is absolutely necessary, it may be requested via an e-mail to
info@realtysignpost.com
or by calling 202 256 0107. If we are able to expedite the
installation of your post, there will be a $35 additional fee. This
$35 fee also applies to emergency Saturday installation orders.
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Q. Can I keep the For Sale or Power Punch riders?
Just like our posts, these riders are provided on a rental basis. If
you keep the For Sale or Power Punch riders, you may be charged an
additional fee for the lost/missing riders.
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SIGNPOST PLACEMENT and UNDERGROUND UTILITIES:
Q. How do you decide where to place my sign?
We use several criteria: First, we don't want to damage any
underground utilities, so we avoid any utility location indicators
such as gas meters and transformers. Second, our installers are
trained to place the post where it will get the best visibility with
the optimal "line of sight" exposure. This means that the longer the
passing public can see your sign, the higher the probability they will
see it, remember it, and respond to it. Third, placement of posts can
also be influenced by the desire to avoid trees, and/or not to disturb
a yard or landscaped plants.
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Q. I want my post installed in a specific location, how do I
request an exact location?
Please mark the location where you want to post with a flag, stick,
rock or other very obvious object, and please tell us to install the
post by that object in the “Special Instructions” section
of the order placement process. We will gladly install the signpost
where you or the homeowner want it to be placed, if you clearly mark
the location before the installer arrives at the address.
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Q. I don't like where the post is placed, can I have it moved?
We will install the signpost where you want it to be placed, if you
clearly mark the location before the installer arrives at the
address.
If you do not mark a location for the sign post installation, and ask
for the post to be reinstalled at the same address, Realty Sign Post
reserves the right to charge a "Trip Charge" or an additional
"Installation Charge"
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Q. The homeowner has an underground sprinkler system and/or
electric dog fence, what do I do?
Since there is no way for our signpost installers to determine where
an underground sprinkler system or electric dog fence is located, the
agent is required to specify an exact spot for the signpost to be
located. Realty Sign Post accepts no responsibility for damage to
underground facilities. Locating and marking such facilities are the
responsibility of the homeowner and the agent.
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Q. There is a lamp in the yard, should I call Miss Utility
before placing the signpost installation order?
We can contact Miss Utility for you. During the install order
placement process, we ask if you want us to call Miss Utility. If you
choose no, we then ask if there is a lamp in the yard, and if that
lamp is a gas lamp. If there is a gas lamp, we will delay the install
date by three business days, so that Miss Utility can mark the
property.
You can also choose to have us call Miss Utility before
the signpost is installed, whether there is a lamp in the yard or not.
We recommend using the Miss Utility marking services if there are any
yard lights (gas or electric) or any other visible electrical or
telephone boxes (light green in color) in the yard.
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Q. Why do you ask for Cross street / Directions, don't you use GPS?
We have found that encouraging the agent to look at and provide an actual cross street helps agents to actually focus on the
details and helps make sure they have entered the address exactly correct.
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SIGN PANEL QUESTIONS:
Q. I am a new agent, can you make sign panels for me?
Sorry, but we don't make signpanels, we quickly and professionally install
signposts. However, there are many local and national companies that make
sign panels A local company that we recommend is Wall 2 Wall Signs in Vienna,
www.wall2wallsigns.com
In addition, below is the contact information for four of these companies.
Lowen Sign,
www.lowensign.com ,
1-800-545-5505 Aztec Marking Co,
www.aztecsigns.com ,
1-800-835-2548, Fax: 1-800-321-7265 Dee Signs,
www.deesign.com ,
1-800-DEE-SIGN Oakley Signs,
www.oakleysign.com , 1-800-373-5330
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Q. What size sign panels should I order?
The following guidelines are provided so that you can get the right
signs when you order from your sign provider. Panel size not wider
than 30" and 18"-24" deep. Top hole spacing of 17-19" apart. Inside
diameter of top holes about 1/2" and about 3/8" from top edge of
panel. We recommend all holes in the top and bottom of your signs have
grommets (brass liners that make holes stronger). The grommets
nearly double the life of your signs because they protect the
integrity of the sign surface from moisture penetration and do not
tear out easily. Inside diameter of bottom holes not less than
5/16". Same spacing as your riders.
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Q. How can I get my sign panels to you to store?
You have several options: 1. You can have them shipped to us at:
Realty Sign Post
C/O Mini U Stor
Attention: RyanW. Myers or H. Douglas Myers
10930 Clara Barton Dr.
Fairfax Station, VA. 22039-1412 Please make sure you have carefully
reviewed and approved the proof, since Realty SignPost assumes no
responsibility for the accuracy of the sign order. 2. We can pick your
panels up from your agency office or a listing. Please e-mail us at
info@ realtysignpost.com to make arrangements for pick up.
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Q. How many signpanels should I store with you?
We recommend at least two panels per county that you expect listings
in, and a minimum of six signpanels. If you are a big listing agent,
you will obviously need more panels. We have several warehouses in the
Washington DC area, and we place your panels in the appropriate
warehouse in order to provide you fast service. We can not guarantee a
signpanel will be installed at a property on the same day that the
panel is removed from a different property. This is due to the fact
that Realty SignPost has multiple installers working multiple
installation areas, and the same installer may not complete both the
install and removal. Please allow at least two business days to
complete a removal and two business days to complete the install.
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Q. Should I keep one or two of my signpanels?
Yes, we recommend agents keep a few of their signpanels for the unique
situations that occur from time to time. For example, you may get a
condo listing, or we may be able to complete a RUSH signpost
installation, but not be able to get the signpanel installed in a RUSH
manner.
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PAYMENT QUESTIONS:
Q. How do I pay?
Most of our customers pay via our online credit card processing
system. The one time charge at the time of the install includes the
signpost install, the signpost rental for up to 8 months, and the
removal of the signpost. For some agencies, we have a monthly
invoicing agreement. If you belong to one of those agencies, you can
choose to pay via credit card, or have the signpost rental charged to
your agency's invoice.
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Q. What additional fees do you charge?
We strive to provide fast, dependable and professional service. In
order to continue to provide this level of quality service, and to
encourage agents to provide the information we need to deliver quality
service, we charge the following fees in the following situations.
Summary List of Additional Charges: Lost/Damaged Post: $60 Declined
Credit Card Fee $25 Lost/Damaged metal anchor: $20 Trip Charge: $20
Missing Incorrect Map Coordinates: $15 Incorrect Address Information:
$10 Fax/Voice Mail Order Processing: $10 Missing Riders at Removal:
$10 per rider Missing Hooks/Clips at Removal $10 Missing Brochure Box
at Removal $10 Installer Travel Allowance Varies by Location Late
Payment Fee $10
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WEBSITE QUESTIONS:
Q. My name has disappeared from the web site drop down list, am I
still a customer?
Yes, your still a valued customer. Your name and information is stored
in what are called ‘cookies' on your specific computer. If your
information disappears, it is due to one of three reasons. 1. The
‘cookies' on your computer have been cleared. 2. You are at a
new computer that you haven't placed an order yet. 3. Your computer is
configured to not allow the website to store ‘cookies'. For the
first two reasons, simply enter your information, and it will be
stored for the next time you place an order. For the third reason,
talk to your IT person and have them configure your computer to allow
cookies from Realtysignpost.com
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Q. I can't change the county in your website drop down list, what
do I do?
Our website works best with the latest versions of Microsoft Internet
Explorer, V6.0 as of Nov 05 and Mozilla Firefox, V1.0.7. If you don't
have the latest versions, the Java enabled dropdown lists may not work
correctly. We recommend you download and install the free upgrade for
your web browsers. Go to
www.microsoft.com to upgrade
internet explorer or go to
www.mozilla.org to upgrade
Netscape's Mozilla Firefox. Please consult with your IT person if you
are uncomfortable upgrading software on your own. Upgrading your
browser provides many other benefits, including updated features and
the latest security against hackers and viruses.
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Q. I can't place an order via your website, can I fax or phone in
the order?
Yes, orders can be faxed to 703 995 4567 or 202 478 2131. Voicemail
orders may also be left at the numbers by calling those numbers and
pressing ‘1' to leave a recording. We prefer and encourage
website orders, since it offers many advantages over fax and phone
orders. These include an e-mail verifying placement of your order and
easier removal of the post (if cookies are enabled on your computer).
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Q. I can't find ADC map coordinates, and your website requires
them, what do I do?
ADC mapbooks are one of the standard map books for the Washington DC
area, and are usually included in MRIS listings. These books are
available at any 7-11 store , most convenience stores, Realtor stores,
and many other stores. The books can also be ordered via
www.adcmaps.com . If you don't
have quick access to an ADC map book, you can look at old MRIS
listings for this property, or other properties on the same street or
in the same development to see if the listing realtor included ADC map
coordinates. Even if the property is new construction, it will still
have ADC map grid coordinates. Simply look up the coordinates of the
closest major road/intersection. For new construction, accurate
directions and map coordinates are even more important to enable to
locate the property in a timely manner. ADC or Thomas Brother map
coordinates are required. If you just have Thomas Brother map
coordinates, you may enter 1-A-1 for the ADC map coordinates, and the
order will go through. Entering incorrect map coordinates or not
providing map coordinates invalidates our “Two Business
Day” installation policy and may result in a $15 charge to look
up map coordinates.
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Q. Why do you need map coordinates?
In order to continue provide FAST and DEPENDABLE signpost installation
service, we need to be able to find each and every property quickly.
Our experience is that if we have an accurate house number and street,
good directions and map coordinates allows your job to be assigned to
the correct installer and allows the installer to be able to use
mapping software, the Internet and maps to locate the property in a
timely fashion. If any of that information is missing, it often takes
disproportionately longer to find the correct house. So far, our worst
example is an agent who ordered an installation for a house in Mclean,
but the house was actually in Manassas . Obviously, this created a
great delay for all the other jobs that installer had to complete that
day.
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MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS:
Q. My homeowner wants a mailbox installed, will you provide this
service.
Yes and No! J Most of my installers are happy to install a mailbox,
but they are responsible to working out the details with the
homeowner. It will not be a business transaction associated with
Realty SignPost. Just e-mail us the address and phone number of the
person to contact and an installer will contact the person, and work
out a price.
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Q. What if I don't have a MRIS ID yet? How do I sign up?
Simply e-mail us at
info@realtysignpost.com
to get a temporary MRIS ID for our system. Once you have your actual
MRIS ID, e-mail it to us, and we will update your file in our
database.
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Q. What are the legal guidelines for placing a signpost?
Click here
for the latest information we have on legal guidelines.
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Q. Do you install directionals?
No. We have provided this service in the past, and found that it is
best for the agent to install directionals. This is due to the fact
that directionals often quickly disappear, and we don't always go to a
property via the same streets that the agent would like the
directionals posted.
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