Scrap Yard Relationship

Ok so I wanted to post this as a yard owner and manager to give some insight on how to maintain maximum profits from most yards.

Separating and cleaning your metal is always a must for max profits, unless time consumption outweighs the benefit.



What most people do not understand is that your personal relationship with the yard hand(s) is also a key factor. Being rude and attempting to conduct business like you have something they want will not get you far. Scrap yards usually deal in hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of pounds of whatever you might be selling, so they tend to treat you as a number.

I learned a long time ago that a little extra courtesy goes a long way. By becoming friends with your dealer, and not being the "oh no it's so and so" guy, you are much more likely to gain better grading and pricing over time than a person the dealer does not like.

Example: I had a man recently become one of my customers that was very easy to deal with, wanted to learn the trade, and always helped me out if he felt I was in need of assistance. One day he brought me 250 lbs of #1 and #2 clean copper wire mixed.

I was very short for time and instead of separating it or buying it for the lower grade as I would normally do I bought it all for #1. I still made my share of profit, and since the man was so polite I had no problem doing it. I would not have done this for a rude or belligerent customer.

The moral of the story is, most yards will be short with you, even rude on occasion - but the workers are still people and usually can be won over with kindness and courtesy.

This won't work everywhere every time, but it's well worth the effort when it does.

Well said and thank you.

You are correct and we should all try and treat everyone we deal with in any situation a store or whatever with respect. And every scrap yard needs metal to survive, so you (the seller) do matter... If you have a question about how something is classified ask. If you are not happy you can always take your metal home with you. Even if you are happy with a yard it is good to call around for prices every now and then, don't get to comfortable.

I find that being as pleasant and polite works not only with scrap yards.. but every human being you come into contact with.. regardless of whether you gain any benefit from that person (monetarily) or not.
I can be having the day from he*l.. but if I stop at say, a convenience store, I am as kind and pleasant to that person behind the counter as I can.. They were not the cause of my bad day, and thus I won't take it out on them either.

Exactly. My greatest pet peeve is someone who makes an false assumption of a deal that travels through the scrap community, whether it be local or online. In my case I've had customers who try and sell #2 insulated Cu wire (as fine as ribbon cable) for #1. They never tell me they are expecting #1 ins price, accept payment for #2 ins, and leave. I usually know by their demeanor and will initiate the process of thought correction myself, but some of my more cunning customers will leave seeming pleased.

They then proceed to tell their friends and family I am a crook, because I only paid them .70 for their "good copper wire". Luckily they usually run this past someone who deals with me on a greater level of communication, and that person asks questions, gets answers, and corrects the story - doesn't always happen this way.

Hearing someone's name in a negative connotation usually clouds a person's subconscious long after the correction has been made. If they had simply asked me why, or even confronted me and accused me of shorting them (always be cool and pursue logical reasoning, lol) I could have easily freed their minds of all concern.

Communicate, communicate, communicate!

Oh, and two easy words to live by:

Be nice

Sorry for the inconvenience. Here's a link for you to the MS SOS website. Scroll down to the registered list. B & G Recycling, LLC. I believe we are about 4 down from the top.

My name is Charlie Blackburn. (The B)
The (G) is my wife's maiden name, Golebiewski. Yeah, she's a scrap lady - no, we did not meet at the scrap pile lol.


Scrap Metal

The list for 2018 was refreshed April 5, and being a procrastinator, I paid my fees the day of expiration. They should update it again soon. If you'd like you can call them to verify my location and validity

I'm sure you have scanned over my address. I opened my location in Fulton April 2016. I havnt searched for it online, but there should at least be a YP ad. Im not fancy enough to have pictures everywhere, sorry. I'd be glad to post a few selfies around the yard for you though if you like, lol.

I've managed Nelson Metals in Belmont, MS for 10 years. The owner there is a great friend of mine and has taught me everything I know about the biz.

I have no associations with Meuller although I have had problems with thieves they employ. Apparently it's easy to walk out with tubing.

I have told no fractional-stories - you simply made an assumption. Maybe I was just fortunate enough to be mentored by a well connected man of 50 years in the industry.

I'm always up for questions, buddy...and always glad to help out where I can. Just shoot me a message.

Same here. It's amazing how a $5 bill can skyrocket you into a higher tier!

Springing for the $10 makes you family, lol.

When I was a green-hand, I had a one-time customer tip me $20. I remember him and his load better than anyone I've done business with since.

Originally Posted by eggsalad

I would love to be friendly and outgoing with any of the staff at any of my local yards, but unfortunately I do not speak Spanish.

A $5 Bill is always someone's language lol

We let people shop around the shred pile. It can be quite a hassle at times, since some people like to climb the pile, or stick small items in their pocket.

Overall it's not too bad though. I do understand a large yard not allowing it, being the risk of injury and theft is high.