Free Garage Banners Etc

[george]

Not sure if anyone has done this or not. I didn't see a thread related to it when searching so here we go.

I reached out to some companies whose products I use and some I don't use asking if they would hook me up with some free stuff for the garage. I can't afford the signs I'd like to have, but I need something.

The Hobby Lobby stuff looks cool and while I have some of it and will buy more, it's the exact same thing everyone else has.

I have asked local parts stores but nothing comes from it. I assume the employees get first shot then it goes to larger customers and friends of the employees.

Perhaps store policy is to pitch things, so no one gets a paper cut and sues...

Anyway...

All I did was politely ask for items and offer to pay the shipping. I have more info & pics posted on my blog but here is some of what I got.

Just an idea for anyone that needs some interior decorating. The price is right and takes little effort.

Has anyone else tried this or asked around town with success?

Free for the asking:

 

[NUTTSGT]

A lot of banners are scored during races at the track when people remove them from the fences.

I have received a few just by asking, including a Summit banner during the inaugural national event when Norwalk switched over to being an NHRA track. The guys were going hanging banners on a golf cart and their bag of zipties fell off the cart. I picked them up and he gave me a banner.

Sometimes asking a simple question or act of kindness goes along way.

 

[OH_Varmntr]

We used to get them at the US Nats in Indy. We were given permission by a track worker which was followed up by a security officer telling us to put them back. We ultimately came home with a few dozen of them.

 

[marineman]

I never did it for banners but back in high school I took an international business class where we had to profile a couple businesses of our choosing and how they compete in the global economy. Snap on and S&K were the two that I chose, I requested some business info from them as well as any free product samples they would send. They were more than generous.

 

[Ben Buck]

Local beer drive thru's I frequent have given me beer posters and the like- just for asking.

just my 2- ymmv

 

[jagwinn]

Ask at the Starbucks store for their expired advertising. Some places don't use all of the materials sent to them and you may score some still new stuff.

 

[2CRUZ]

I had a friend that took a banner off a fence at a motorcycle race and he was arrested and charged with a felony.

 

[bullnerd]

Good tip.

I like the lucas oil stuff.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

I have pretty much all the old banners and posters Jeff took out of the race shop when he sold the car. The problem is I don't have the wall space for them.

Tommy

 

[lis2323]

Great tips. Thanks for sharing[emoji481]

The only thing I ever managed to get from Snap-On was a couple of jackets and a wall clock. I TRIED with Miller and Lincoln but ended having to fork out the coin.

 

[george]

I have thought about the track but so far I've not had a chance to get to one. Need to do that, not just for banners but I miss going anyway.

Asked at the street rod national before. Most vendors are okay with it but they only give them out on the last day towards the end. Makes sense but I've never been on the last days yet.

I had not thought about Starbucks or other restaurants but that would be pretty cool too! The liquor store here I think has a lot of other people in line. I've left my number a few times but no luck yet.

The Miller and Lincoln ones look cool. Snap on told me nope [emoji4]. I know a few people that buy from a truck so I may see if they can score something for me.

I really don't mind paying for something I like but I'll try asking first.

The felony would **** so I'll make sure I always ask!!


Sent from my SM-N950U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[chriskthx]

Thanks!

 

[lis2323]

Ask at the Starbucks store for their expired advertising. Some places don't use all of the materials sent to them and you may score some still new stuff.

I’m a retired farmer and may never have the nicest/biggest/best/coolest shop, but I DO have have a Starbucks adjacent to my parts room.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Reminds me of when I was a kid, going around to auto parts stores and asking for free stickers. STP stickers were the easiest to get, but there were plenty of other speed part stickers available too. My dad didn't like it when I put some on the back bumper of his car.

 

[lis2323]

Reminds me of when I was a kid, going around to auto parts stores and asking for free stickers. STP stickers were the easiest to get, but there were plenty of other speed part stickers available too. My dad didn't like it when I put some on the back bumper of his car.

LOL. STP stickers. Thanks for the memory!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[kbs2244]

Most stores just trash any advertising when a special event is over.
Just ask when they are going to do the tear down and be willing to "take out the trash."

I have done this at movie housed and scored not only posters but cardboard statues.

 

[Augus7us]

I’m a retired farmer and may never have the nicest/biggest/best/coolest shop, but I DO have have a Starbucks adjacent to my parts room.

This may be the most modern looking house I've ever seen a farmer live in! Unfortunately I hate starbucks

To the OP, man I'm not much of a car guy but I do love dirt bikes and stuff like the baja races. I may have to give Lucas Oil a call, that stuff is awesome!

 

[Augus7us]

Reminds me of when I was a kid, going around to auto parts stores and asking for free stickers. STP stickers were the easiest to get, but there were plenty of other speed part stickers available too. My dad didn't like it when I put some on the back bumper of his car.

Lol, this brought some memories back for me also. I never went into auto stores, but when pops had the dirt bike shop all the sales guys got used to him asking for free stickers for me. My favorite were always the fox stickers. But the ultimate sticker prize was always the Troy Lee Designs skulls! Had to pay for those though...

I still have some Troy Lee stuff I found when I moved last year. Some skulls and helmet stickers. The gf found them and was about to toss them in the trash. Had to stop that real quick. Now they will decorate my shop and that is pretty cool!

-Clint

 

[george]

This may be the most modern looking house I've ever seen a farmer live in! Unfortunately I hate starbucks

To the OP, man I'm not much of a car guy but I do love dirt bikes and stuff like the baja races. I may have to give Lucas Oil a call, that stuff is awesome!

He never said what he was farming Very cool sign and house!

I bet Lucas would hook you up. They didn't even respond to my email so it was a nice surprise when their package showed up. Hard to tell in the photo but that banner is one of the larger ones and really good quality.

I thought later on that calling or snail mail might yield a better result. I only used the contact us forms for everyone.

 

[george]

Reminds me of when I was a kid, going around to auto parts stores and asking for free stickers. STP stickers were the easiest to get, but there were plenty of other speed part stickers available too. My dad didn't like it when I put some on the back bumper of his car.

Most stores just trash any advertising when a special event is over.
Just ask when they are going to do the tear down and be willing to "take out the trash."

I have done this at movie housed and scored not only posters but cardboard statues.

Y'all have some nicer stores in your area

Of course, it can be who you ask as well and when. I live close to an AZ and the manager is used to me coming in. The only times I have seen him recently he has been busy. I'm waiting to catch him at a good time before I ask.

I don't ask anywhere if I see they are busy. The times I have asked it may just be the employees aren't sure, don't care or both

I had better luck getting things when I was a kid. Hmmm, maybe I need to start having my boy ask before he gets too old.

The movie thing brings back some memories! I scored a cutout of I think Denzel Washington pointing a gun when I was a kid. I would move it to different windows around the house and it would freak people out when they pulled into the driveway. The best times were people not seeing it until they were walking to the door

 

[lis2323]

He never said what he was farming [emoji4] Very cool sign and house!.

I forgot to mention Lincoln Welding DID provide a full set of educational material which is extremely informative (free of charge)



And not to nit pick [emoji3] but yes I am a RETIRED farmer and that photo with the Starbucks sign was in my shop “lounge”. Here’s the OPPOSITE view looking into my parts room.

 

[Augus7us]

I forgot to mention Lincoln Welding DID provide a full set of educational material which is extremely informative (free of charge)



And not to nit pick [emoji3] but yes I am a RETIRED farmer and that photo with the Starbucks sign was in my shop “lounge”. Here’s the OPPOSITE view looking into my parts room.

Haha, take no offense brother. I think your house looks nice, minus the starbucks sign Just not something I typically see. My new neighbor is a farmer. Your house is a lot "more updated" than his to put it kindly.

On another subject, I'm a bladesmith. You have the largest RR tie style anvil I have ever seen. Can you tell me more about that? Got any other photos? Also curious what you use it for. Very cool either way.

-Clint

Edit: Just reread this and noticed you said that is in your shop. That is even better, killer shop man!

 

[James E]

I forgot to mention Lincoln Welding DID provide a full set of educational material which is extremely informative (free of charge)



And not to nit pick [emoji3] but yes I am a RETIRED farmer and that photo with the Starbucks sign was in my shop “lounge”. Here’s the OPPOSITE view looking into my parts room.

You must share with me what crop you grew to retire so well. Your room is beautiful!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

You must share with me what crop you grew to retire so well. Your room is beautiful!

I wonder if he had to retire because what he used to grow is now becoming legal in so many states that the demand has gone down for the old "independent growers".

Tommy

 

[lis2323]

I wonder if he had to retire because what he used to grow is now becoming legal in so many states that the demand has gone down for the old "independent growers".



Tommy

Tommy. I wish.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lis2323]

You must share with me what crop you grew to retire so well. Your room is beautiful!

Thank you. Row crop (vegetables) and turfGRASS (but unfortunately the LEGAL kind). There's a reason why you never hear the term "smart" farmer. [emoji23]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lis2323]

Haha, take no offense brother. I think your house looks nice, minus the starbucks sign Just not something I typically see. My new neighbor is a farmer. Your house is a lot "more updated" than his to put it kindly.

On another subject, I'm a bladesmith. You have the largest RR tie style anvil I have ever seen. Can you tell me more about that? Got any other photos? Also curious what you use it for. Very cool either way.

-Clint

Edit: Just reread this and noticed you said that is in your shop. That is even better, killer shop man!

Clint. I got creative with the cutting torch on a piece of I beam. About 400# with the base I built. Used only for "cold"work. I have real anvils for forging.



My apologies to the OP for the sidetrack. I'll try to find more signs or banners. [emoji3]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[chaosracing]

I never really thought about this stuff until this thread popped up. Just sent an email out to a manufacturer (to be named later) and will see what happens. Gonna try it with a few others over the next few days.

 

[lis2323]

It never hurts to buddy up with counter guys or the owner of parts, tools or fastener shops. They get tons of promo stuff from their suppliers. Who gets what is entirely up to them. Not necessarily the biggest customers...

I got a couple of drill- tap charts this way. I sent them out to get laminated though.

.





Merchandising racks, and ignition cabinets.


If you don’t ask you don’t get.

 

[george]

Clint. I got creative with the cutting torch on a piece of I beam. About 400# with the base I built. Used only for "cold"work. I have real anvils for forging.

My apologies to the OP for the sidetrack. I'll try to find more signs or banners. [emoji3]

No worries at all. That thing is really cool!



Sent from my SM-N950U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[george]

I never really thought about this stuff until this thread popped up. Just sent an email out to a manufacturer (to be named later) and will see what happens. Gonna try it with a few others over the next few days.

I hope you get some good stuff! Show us what you get

Sent from my SM-N950U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[george]

If you don’t ask you don’t get.

Exactly. That stuff is really cool! Thanks for sharing






Sent from my SM-N950U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[bczygan]

If you run out of wall space...

 

[george]

If you run out of wall space...

I was thinking about hanging some from the ceiling. Seeing that it looks pretty good

If you need some space I can store some of those signs for ya

Those are really nice. Banners are neat and all but nothing beats those old signs! Some nice looking thermometers as well!

 

[bczygan]

I was thinking about hanging some from the ceiling. Seeing that it looks pretty good

If you need some space I can store some of those signs for ya

Those are really nice. Banners are neat and all but nothing beats those old signs! Some nice looking thermometers as well!

Not mine!

A guy has a permanent garage sale that I went to, and these decorate the garage.

Bill

 

[lis2323]

If you run out of wall space...

Bill: You may want to mention to your friend this sign may be "politically incorrect". [emoji23]




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[albaran]

Back in the day when cigarette companies sponsored races, a marketing guy that worked for Winston/Salem gave me this Camel poster that was going to a race in Lime Rock.

 

[PhantomEB]

Started my collection, hope to fill at least one wall.

Had to pony up for shipping but I happy to have these two.

 

[chaosracing]

So far I am 1 out of 3. Got a banner from PB Blaster. Was told I had to buy them from Castrol Oil (BP) and heard nothing back from Purolater. Once things settle down again for me I will try some more places.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Back in the day when cigarette companies sponsored races, a marketing guy that worked for Winston/Salem gave me this Camel poster that was going to a race in Lime Rock.

I have an 1975 AMA Camel Pro Series banner that we had in the race shop with a camel on a motorcycle wearing a helmet and smoking. I'm going to have to ask Jeff if he knows where it came from. AFAIK, he was never into bikes.


Tommy