Points well made.
An important part, that I'm largely mentioning to Colin, is that pre-screening your customers on the phone is an important part of the initial contact. I get lots of work from my signs, with good customers. Treehumper on the Buzz always has given sound business advice, such as the important of pre-screening your customers. The guy that called me last week for a removal, tomorrow if possible, didn't even get a call back. He was all too likely to be an "all-call", get as many desperate people as possible to bid it.
I see it as the work speaks for itself, and the sign gives people the contact info. My web address is most visible. The idea, in this area, of having a multi-page website (I've got about 10-12 linked pages), probably means I'm not the cheapest guy in town, right off the bat.
If it was looking to drop $500-2000, a typical contract range, more on the lower end on average, I'd watch a contractor at the neighbors, see how it all goes, and then call, IF I didn't have the time, or the crew doesn't have the time to talk.
I figure some of the neighbors discuss things with their partners, then call, others see it as not a rag-tag magnetic sign on the truck or anonymous tree service (are they insured, they surely don't want people knowing their names and contact info?). Others have the time to stop and talk, or too much time to stop and talk.
I'd rather have them call me, there on the job, and answer with my Sena system, and tell them to stop by later, or I'll be out of the tree to talk to them in 30-60 minutes.
I'll take it all.