When Maury Westerdale, a veteran of the Ford Motor Company, started On The Move Inc., in 1992, the Dearborn, Mich.-based company gave professionals in various fields (including real estate) the chance to own and operate their own trucks, advertise their company with eye-catching graphics and provide a valuable vehicle for clients who needed help with their move.
The company’s concept allows real estate agents the chance to loan out a moving truck to their clients, advertise their services and includes a simple phrase that will draw even more eyeballs: “Buy or sell with me, use this truck for free.”
Ann Schuld, broker/owner of Ann Schuld Realty in Bayville, N.J., enthusiastically praises the On The Move concept, calling it the best piece of advertising she has ever used.
“It’s a billboard on wheels that not only provides advertising, but is also tremendously useful,” says Schuld. “I can move anything, big or small, at any time. My friends and business acquaintances can also, and they love me for it.”
Schuld first learned about On The Move at a real estate convention, and was immediately drawn to the idea.
“I thought it was awesome,” says Schuld, who got her first truck in 2000 after investigating other companies. “I have always tried to be innovative and be the first to try new things, and the package with insurance offered through On The Move was the best game in town, so I went with it.”
In the beginning, Schuld loaned the truck out to buyers and sellers for a free move, and during slow times, the truck was rented to outside individuals for $25 a day plus gas. The truck has also been used for community goodwill over the years.
“We loan it to local charities and schools for events they hold,” adds Schuld. “Whenever anyone needs a truck, their first thought is ‘Ann Schuld Realty will help.’ I especially love it when an agent from one of my competitors calls to use it. I have become a hero to not only our buyers and sellers, but many community groups as well.”
Donating the use of the truck to these local organizations also goes a long way toward getting Schuld’s name and the Ann Schuld Realty logo around town in a positive light.
Now that the truck is 15 years of age, Schuld says that it’s used primarily as a personal vehicle, but it still has that great advertising message right on it while she drives around town.
“My truck was the best piece of advertising I ever did, hands down,” concludes Schuld. “It was useful to me, and my company, personally. Our buyers and sellers loved it and recommended us because of it. The community thought we were great, and it was a total win-win situation for me. If I weren’t ready for retirement, I would jump to do it again.”
For more information, visit www.onthemovetrucks.com.
