Trash picker uppers

My folks are both realtors, so I know this is true.

Summer time is when MOST families move, because kids aren't in school. If you pick up metal from trash nights, take (mental)notes on houses with For Sale, or Sold signs in their lawn.

Also, garage sales. A lot of people throw their leftovers away, so if you're not comfortable getting your hand in the cookie jar before the sale is over, go back to that area the next trash day.

(I have not had a day to rest this month, have a pick up truck full of christmas lights waiting to be snipped :|, and trips to the yard every day....)

Also, garage sales.

Yep, up here the yard sales are coming out of our ears, everybody's got one, you can do a lot of good networking around them by just handing out business cards.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Yep, up here the yard sales are coming out of our ears, everybody's got one, you can do a lot of good networking around them by just handing out business cards.

Yep, someone had suggested doing that, and I smacked my forehead saying "why didn't I think of that?" ... It has worked REALLY well. Of course, then I end up with a ton of extra junk, most of it goes to a local consignment shop in town.

most of it goes to a local consignment shop in town.

If their paying you anything for it, it's all free money.
I sorted thru one of our first loads and found 3 old safety razors from the 40's up to the 60's and sold them on ebay for around 9.95 ea. Collectors, gotta love them,,,

Well that's how the consignment works. I drop it off, they sell it and we split it 50/50.

It does seem like there's less scrappers out, or they are getting lazy. Past few trash nights I've gone on, I've loaded my truck up a couple feet above my cab.

Originally Posted by rca987

It does seem like there's less scrappers out, or they are getting lazy. Past few trash nights I've gone on, I've loaded my truck up a couple feet above my cab.

Not in So. Az more than ever... Even some with Sonora Mexico plates!

This does work. I can usually end up with a few truckloads every weekend. Kinda blows a weekend away if you like time off but worth it in metal and other finds. There are so many yard sales around here now that lots have gone to free on Sundays or at least part of the day. The biggest find for me every weekend is exercise equipment. Nobody wants that back in their house! It's good weight and easy to break down. People just don't want to deal with their junk. Makes it easy for us scrappers.

Originally Posted by hobo finds

Not in So. Az more than ever... Even some with Sonora Mexico plates!

More scrappers than there is metal in North Phoenix too.

We have scouts that what watch city wide garage sales,when they are over people will usually put the stuff to the curb and thats when we get busy picking up the tv, appliances etc. We have learned of the years that once trash is put to curb it belongs to the city and is untouchable and will result in a fine unless homeowner allows you to pick it up..

I actually called my local police dept. to find out if it was legal take cans,etc. out of recycling bins. The police told me it's illegal and that I would be arrested if caught taking items from bins. However, they told me to ask the homeowner if it's okay. I know I'm not gonna waste my time knocking on doors to ask if i can go through their recycling bins..lol. I know I would rather someone just take what they want then knock on my door.

I knew a lady in LA who collected newspapers and toys. She went around the suburb (Glendale) and asked homeowners to put their papers out by the trash and on trash day she collected. She was a licensed junk dealer and took those papers downtown where she got top dollar. She took the toys home and her father did repairs if necessary and on Saturdays they went to the flea market. She made a lot of money. Perhaps a flyer would work...you could ask them to put it in a different spot so you'd know it was meant for you. If you have a lot of kids to feed it would help if you put that in your flyer ! lol

My yard takes them with the bulbs in for .40 lb. other yards have different policies.

I just called 2 of my local scrap yards and the first one said they take christmas lights w/bulbs for .10lb or without bulbs for .50lb The other yard I called they take the lights for .25lb "as is". I think I will just take them "as is" because I would rather use that time looking for more scrap then to pick bulbs out of 60lbs of lights. LOL