Calling Car Wrap Customers: Is This Legal?

Hey guys,

I am working on a business that will be targeting businesses with branded vehicle wraps. I found these businesses by going to car wrap companies who post their clients' information in picture galleries.

I was trying to figure out the most effective way to get an appointment with these businesses who have branded cars. I was thinking of getting the business to think I work 'alongside' the company that wrapped their vehicle and I'm offering an additional service, but in reality I am an unrelated company trying to find the person who paid for the wrap to use my services...

Anyway, here's my script for tomorrow targeting people who got a car wrap at "Custom Wraps, LLC". What do you think? Will this work?



"I'm John with XYZ, I work with our "Custom Wraps, LLC" clients. I need to speak to the account holder if possible."

--- Person who got the car wrap gets on call... ---

"I'm John with XYZ, I work with our "Custom Wraps, LLC" clients and I just had a couple of questions regarding the work that's been done if you have a minute?"

--- "Sure" ---

"Are you satisfied with the wrap?" (BS filler to get to the last 'question')

--- "Yep" ---

"Has the wrap given you the exposure you were expecting?" (BS filler to get to the last 'question')

--- "Not really" ---

"Last question... We're offering clients something really cool that no wrap business has yet. >> EXPLAIN MY BUSINESS IDEA HERE THAT COMPLIMENTS THEIR WRAP <<..."

Would you mind if we stopped by and showed you how it works in the next day or two?

--- "I guess so" ---

GET THE APPOINTMENT!

I don’t see why this would be illegal. One of my friend negotiates credit card debts and he regularly calls clients claiming he works for lawfirm xyz when in reality he does not. These lawfirms are hundreds of miles away from him. IANAL , just my 2 cents, seems a little shady but not illegal. You aren’t even claiming to be an employee of custom wraps LLC

Pretty sure you can get sued (with a good reason too) by the same company you're lying that you work for.

My piece of advice: Don't be an imposter, and instead focus on building your own solid reputation & client base. You will go a longer way that way.


Reminds me of the time when a BHW member was impostering me, to me. Trying to sell me my own service. Long story short, he's no longer on BHW.

It's legal but you have to be stop if they told you to.

What happens when you call Arnie, the second cousin of the boss at Custom Wraps, LLC?

Or when a customer who's had one car wrapped and has a second one in the shop, when he gets your call and mentions you to the business?

A. You'll either get sued into oblivion. Because you're impersonating a business and/or claiming association when none exists whatsoever.

B. You'll get your ass handed to you, depending on who runs Custom Wraps, LLC

C. You'll be outted and publicly humiliated online and locally.

When it comes to your business, your livelihood it is not a good idea to fuck around.

A better script would be..


Hey, I am Joe calling from Your Own Company, LLC - we noticed you had a Custom Wrap Job done at one of the local city name establishments. I wished to have a word with you about that. Can I get a minute of your time?

//
Exchange pleasantries, get a name.
//

Well John, thank you for hearing me out. I am in the business that will complement your recently wrapped vehicle {pitch your idea}

//

Would it be cool if we stopped by in a day or two at a time convenient for you. I promise it won't take more than 15 minutes of your time. And if you tell me your preference, I'll bring along a large cup of your favorite coffee.

//
Exchange pleasantries
//

Rinse. Repeat.

LukaB said:

Pretty sure you can get sued (with a good reason too) by the same company you're lying that you work for. My piece of advice: Don't be an imposter, and instead focus on building your own solid reputation & client base. You will go a longer way that way. Reminds me of the time when a BHW member was impostering me, to me. Trying to sell me my own service. Long story short, he's no longer on BHW.

Click to expand...

BlogPro said:

What happens when you call Arnie, the second cousin of the boss at Custom Wraps, LLC? Or when a customer who's had one car wrapped and has a second one in the shop, when he gets your call and mentions you to the business?

A. You'll either get sued into oblivion. Because you're impersonating a business and/or claiming association when none exists whatsoever.
B. You'll get your ass handed to you, depending on who runs Custom Wraps, LLC
C. You'll be outted and publicly humiliated online and locally.

When it comes to your business, your livelihood it is not a good idea to fuck around. A better script would be..
...
Rinse. Repeat.

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LukaB & BlogPro,

I will heed your advice and NOT do what I was thinking of doing. I see the potential issues. I think I'll do what you guys are suggesting and just rewrite the script similar to the points you have and just see if it works!

I totally agree with what has been said, but you can certainly twist it to make this legit.

i.e. Instead of saying, "I work with our Custom Wrap LLC clients" say "I work with many of the Custom LLC clients..."

As long as you present yourself as a service that goes along well with their work you should be fine. If that doesn't work well you may even be able to pitch your idea to Custom Wraps LLC and give them a cut of the profit if they "refer" you to those clients (as that would give you the decision maker's contact info and not just the general business line - it really depends on the terms of the contract that was signed though)

KraftyKyle said:

I totally agree with what has been said, but you can certainly twist it to make this legit.

i.e. Instead of saying, "I work with our Custom Wrap LLC clients" say "I work with many of the Custom LLC clients..."

As long as you present yourself as a service that goes along well with their work you should be fine. If that doesn't work well you may even be able to pitch your idea to Custom Wraps LLC and give them a cut of the profit if they "refer" you to those clients (as that would give you the decision maker's contact info and not just the general business line - it really depends on the terms of the contract that was signed though)

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KraftyKyle,

Before asking the forum, I was definitely thinking of ways to presenting myself as someone outside the company, but to someone just picking up the phone they'd think I might be associated and listen a bit more than they would normally. I think the main problem is the intro like you're pointing out, since that's where the confusion for the person at the other end of the phone is.

Haha, it's funny you mention pitching the idea to the wrap company itself for a cut. Honestly, it might just be easier than what I'm doing now. I'm going to be doing this for not only Custom Wraps LLC, but many others in the area. I think striking a deal with all of them is definitely doable though. Just like you mention, I'd probably have access to the decision maker, which would be awesome...

Thank you everyone for the advice!

UPDATE!

I used an altered script that I thought was altered enough to keep me out of trouble... This is how it went today:

I called the first number and I was able to get through the gatekeeper, who connected me to the purchasing guy of an insurance company. He was a little confused at first due to the car wrap thing, but eventually realized what I was offering and was immediately interested. He checked out my website while I was on the phone and offered a meeting for Thursday. He has 10 car wraps and wants to use my service for them. He even asked what the catch was, and I didn't have any, just a good service. This is awesome for the first call!

The second number I called ended up being the polar opposite of the first one. The guy thought I was shady for even mentioning the company he used to wrap his car (even though I told him I was a different company offering a different service). He told me I was cryptic and I should have just told him what I do (but I wouldn't get past his gatekeeper that way, but oh well). He cursed at me and hung up. I was really surprised but I'm going to make sure I don't even mention any wrap company.

Anyway, if you just make the calls, you're bound to get some kind of business as today proved! AWESOME!

Nullium said:

UPDATE!

I used an altered script that I thought was altered enough to keep me out of trouble... This is how it went today:

I called the first number and I was able to get through the gatekeeper, who connected me to the purchasing guy of an insurance company. He was a little confused at first due to the car wrap thing, but eventually realized what I was offering and was immediately interested. He checked out my website while I was on the phone and offered a meeting for Thursday. He has 10 car wraps and wants to use my service for them. He even asked what the catch was, and I didn't have any, just a good service. This is awesome for the first call!

The second number I called ended up being the polar opposite of the first one. The guy thought I was shady for even mentioning the company he used to wrap his car (even though I told him I was a different company offering a different service). He told me I was cryptic and I should have just told him what I do (but I wouldn't get past his gatekeeper that way, but oh well). He cursed at me and hung up. I was really surprised but I'm going to make sure I don't even mention any wrap company.

Anyway, if you just make the calls, you're bound to get some kind of business as today proved! AWESOME!

Click to expand...

That is the thing. The second person was why I said mentioning any form of association would prove you wrong.

Just tell them you know they got their car wrapped at a local city establishment and are in the business of providing an add-on that is very helpful.

You got lucky with the first caller. And two calls isn't enough of a sample to base anything on.

I am happy to see you making sales. Up the game, make more calls, make more appointments, get a proper CRM. Target your city on FB ads. Do inbound. Get monies.

Good luck bud.

What are you selling?

Clear bra's?

spazzumes said:

I don’t see why this would be illegal. One of my friend negotiates credit card debts and he regularly calls clients claiming he works for lawfirm xyz when in reality he does not. These lawfirms are hundreds of miles away from him. IANAL , just my 2 cents, seems a little shady but not illegal. You aren’t even claiming to be an employee of custom wraps LLC

Click to expand...

Quote : "I'm John with XYZ, I work with our "Custom Wraps, LLC" clients. I need to speak to the account holder if possible."

Somehow that I work with OUR clients could be interpreted in a different way as him impersonating someone from that company

PS just see you had 1 lucky call, but as Blogpro said if you keep not being upfront I doubt you will get many more, rather than just tell them right away what you are selling. Maybe use it at the gatekeeper but not once you get through be upfront. Most people hate being BS'ed to try to sell them stuff which could just not get you the sale even if otherwise they thought it would not be that bad.

I think you’re on the right track by even having the balls to be cold calling so great job on that.

Like others have mentioned you can definitely twist your approach which would make it much more genuine, if theres one thing I’ve learned In the past week its that ANGELS are very important!

Not sure what your selling but maybe you can use something along the lines of “ Hey mr business owner I just saw your branded/wrapped car driving and wanted to let you know it looks great! Where did you get it wrapped? Some more convo than provide your pitch with benefits.

Test different scripts and let us know.

BlogPro said:

That is the thing. The second person was why I said mentioning any form of association would prove you wrong. Just tell them you know they got their car wrapped at a local city establishment and are in the business of providing an add-on that is very helpful. You got lucky with the first caller. And two calls isn't enough of a sample to base anything on. I am happy to see you making sales. Up the game, make more calls, make more appointments, get a proper CRM. Target your city on FB ads. Do inbound. Get monies. Good luck bud.

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Definitely right on, BlogPro. The script I ended up using was basically a mix of your outline and some edits I had made to mine. When I make more calls on Monday, I will definitely be making sure I pretty much try out your outline exactly to see how that goes. I thought I had heeded the advice well, but after getting my a$$ handed to me by that second caller, I stopped after that call and I am much more keen on what needs to happen this coming week. Thanks for the response, I'm super happy and really lucky for that first call though, so I'm excited to go into next week.

underachieved said:

What are you selling? Clear bra's?

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I'm selling a service that I will eventually start a Journey thread on in the future... It's a secret...

theRevolt said:

Quote : "I'm John with XYZ, I work with our "Custom Wraps, LLC" clients. I need to speak to the account holder if possible." Somehow that I work with OUR clients could be interpreted in a different way as him impersonating someone from that company PS just see you had 1 lucky call, but as Blogpro said if you keep not being upfront I doubt you will get many more, rather than just tell them right away what you are selling. Maybe use it at the gatekeeper but not once you get through be upfront. Most people hate being BS'ed to try to sell them stuff which could just not get you the sale even if otherwise they thought it would not be that bad.

Click to expand...

YES! That "our" part was something I changed in the script. I ended up using "I'm John with XYZ, I work with businesses that have had their cars wrapped through "Custom Wraps, LLC". I need to speak to the account holder." This got me through to the right person both times really fast (which is what I have been struggling with). When I got the decision maker on the phone, I said, "I had a couple of questions regarding the wrap if you have a few minutes. Is the wrap giving you the exposure you were expecting?" Basically, I lead into my company and that we're offering something to compliment the car wrap.

The second guy said I was trying to trick people and if I just wanted to promote my product I shouldn't have been shady and on and on and on. I couldn't wait to get off that call. I thought that by stating I was with XYZ and that I worked with businesses instead of saying OUR clients, it would be fine. Since it was the second call, I'm pretty scared to mention "Custom Wraps, LLC" at all and will stick to probably being clean with the sale although it will shut me out from some opportunities.

I like your idea of using it at the gatekeeper level (as that was my main bottleneck)... I am afraid I might get the decision maker at the beginning so I might not do it, lol. That call scared me. Like you said though, most people have being messed with.

UnicornSeeking said:

I think you’re on the right track by even having the balls to be cold calling so great job on that. Like others have mentioned you can definitely twist your approach which would make it much more genuine, if theres one thing I’ve learned In the past week its that ANGELS are very important! Not sure what your selling but maybe you can use something along the lines of “ Hey mr business owner I just saw your branded/wrapped car driving and wanted to let you know it looks great! Where did you get it wrapped? Some more convo than provide your pitch with benefits. Test different scripts and let us know.

Click to expand...

Thanks for saying I had some balls! Cold calling is way outside my comfort zone, haha. I'm definitely twisting it to be more genuine now, even if it decreases the number of sales. It might actually end up getting more sales since I won't get screamed at. I like your idea of testing different scripts. I've always been interested in REAL data for testing stuff instead of imaginary scenarios that people tend to say is the 'right way' to do calls, when they've never made any calls themselves. I really like your idea of testing and easing into a conversation like that.