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A site regular emailed me this ad.
This is as large as I could reproduce it here, but hopefully you can see it.
It appeared as a full-page advertisement in a local magazine of coupons that a lot of people here in Southwest Ohio receive in the mail. I must admit that I have never seen an ad quite like this one. Although unlike the ubiquitous ads for those absurd Amish heaters I think this ad could be plausible and credible. Disclaimer: I have no experience with this company, so I am not endorsing them at this time. But the full-page ad touts “5 Crews of Amish craftsmen available at all times.”
The ad then mentions how they build pole barns, roofs, sheds, etc. The number listed is a Dayton, Ohio one. I think it is quite possible that this non-Amish owner contracts with Amish craftsmen from either Belle Center, Ohio or Berne, Indiana (both within 90 minutes of Dayton) or possibly even Wayne County, Indiana (only an hour from Dayton) to do these jobs. If he does, I think it’s probably a brilliant marketing move. The fact is that Amish workers are known for putting out very good product. And while a full-page ad advertising this is a little kitschy (in my opinion), the ad doesn’t seem to be too distasteful. Even the photo included is a lot more respectful than many I have seen in ads that show full facial features, etc, which usually goes against Amish beliefs. Upon doing some research the contractor does have an A+ rating from the local Better Business Bureau.
My only caveat and caution is that some businesses here in SW Ohio knowingly or unknowingly lump the more ubiquitous German Baptists in with the Amish and the religions are totally different even though they share common plain appearances. I’ll try to get some more info and report back here. Meanwhile, if anyone has hired this company, let us know what your experience was!
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Re: Intriguing......
I can't answer for this ad but I know there are none of the Belle Center Amish parcitipating. We heavily discourage any ads that even use the word Amish in them. None of our businesses may use the name Amish in them. We don't want to vaunt ourselves as Amish in what we do. Our work should stand for itself.
Re: Intriguing......
Over on Facebook someone asked where the man's beard is in the photo. My answer over on Fbook:
Exellent question...I am not able to definitively conclude either way from the image I have. Lack of a beard might not necessarily mean the person is not Amish, but it would have to be a young Amish man....and I'm not necessarily getting "young man" vibe from that photo....there are Old Order Mennonites about 90 minutes from Dayton...OOM men do not wear beards, so perhaps they are OOM crews...but, yes, if the man lacks a beard that is a possible "red flag."