getting the stink eye

What is peoples problem with trash pickers / scrappers? Seems like every time i do a run i get the stink eye. Its getting to the point where i wont even stop when theres people around or a garage door open when im driving thru the hoods. I have met a few people that are decent folks that appreciate what were doing by keeping all this good scrap/resale out of landfills but they are few and far between. thanks for reading my rant

If I see people either in the yard or in the garage that is when I ask their permission for their scrap, most of the time it leads to more.
This is one business, hobby, profession that you must have very thick skin.

It's usually the brand that has made sure that they haven't thrown out a aluminum can to ensure the world us a better place for their grandchildren; yet, look at you crosseyed for taking their vacuum cleaner and microwave, saving it from the landfill.

Most if us are taught not to be wasteful. Yet many of us look down on garbage men, scrappers and such. Society is f'd and I weep for the future.

It's because of the idiots who steal stuff from people and give scrappers a bad name. People stereotype scrappers into the scary, seedy meth-head catagory and assume we steal metal to buy drugs and stuff. Just ask people to take stuff and if your not doing anything illegal, you have nothing to worry about. You look seedy when you creep around and don't ask poeple and hide your face. Not all prople who give you the stink eye are bad people, most people are chill if you tell them what you are doing and why. Don't stereotype them either.

I used to have a complex about it too.. Now I don't even look around at the houses or buildings to see if anyone is looking, I keep my eye on the scrap score and am more worried another scrapper will fly up and dive in before I get to the end of a pile (if it is a good sized one)

Ya just gotta look at the fun side. that happens when their job is also shipped to China and they come to you or here to learn how to do real work to make a living.

It never has bothered me, I have done more things in my 70 years that most people just dream of, so, when people shrug me I just smile and think to my self, you poor stupid bast**d, if you only knew who you were standing next to. just my .02

ahhh the ol' stink eye my solution is wave and smile and if there nice they will wave back perhaps start a conversation which will usually lead to great connections when they find out they can get rid of bulk all at once. Or perhaps the other breed which will scowl no matter what perhaps they have had a bad day or week or month you don't know what other people go through so be happy that they put their goodies out for you and give them a nice wave and smile perhaps it will brighten their day or make them second think scowling at you. i find that being nice to total strangers always leads to good things. How can you be angry at someone who always gives a nice wave as he stops by perhaps kicks a stray ball back to their kids or scratches their dog behind the ear. metal maybe the product but without the people putting these things out for grabs we will have a hard time getting it. Where i live there is no curbside no dumpsters no dump picking so I rely totally on the kindness of strangers and people i know to get scrap and have found common curtiesy and kindness go a lot farther than falling into the downward spiral of hatred and social ladder agendas no 1 person is better than another for any reason. We provide a valuable service to this earth and never forget that! Thank You all for doing what so many more should! sorry for the long winded response but i feel very strongly about this aspect of our buisness and i to have been insulted and demeened but never lashed back just waved and smiled and said thanks for your time!

Originally Posted by happyscraper

I agree with Brandon, I can not say how much more scrap was given to me because I stopped and asked if I could take the little bit of scrap that was in peoples trash. And if they say no then I just say ok have a nice day and go on my way.

i have had the same experiences but they are becoming less and less

I get the stink eye from the wife when I take the kids for pizza and come back with 10 towers in the back.

Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER

I get the stink eye from the wife when I take the kids for pizza and come back with 10 towers in the back.

My wife and kids are getting into it. Finally got the young ones interested by showing them the diff colors of insulated wire. They are easily amused. Theyve worked up to the point now where they know where to put the plastic, metal and trash. Im trying to get them to understand the different types of metals but my oldest is 7 so i think its gonna be a couple more years before they really get into it.

Thats why i carry a stack of business cards to hand out. To the nice ones and tell em if they save up stuff for me i have no problem paying them for it. Flipping a few bills in front of them will usually get there attention if nothing else.

Originally Posted by jghilino

Thats why i carry a stack of business cards to hand out. To the nice ones and tell em if they save up stuff for me i have no problem paying them for it. Flipping a few bills in front of them will usually get there attention if nothing else.

money seems to always make the stink eye go away!

Originally Posted by british

I did not get that today when she came for the ride to the yard.........£370 ($570)
Mostly copper and brass - so small load big money !!

Ohh yeah the tune always changes when that happens. You have to be smart about it like when i used to play the horses...always broke even for the day or only made a coulpe of bucks.