scrap wars -claim jumpers .

Post your story horror or just upsetting. What strong arm gangs or scrappers have you encountered. Post up. Share a tale. No fiction.

Back when I first started I had a partner . We had a route with 4 to 5 window dumpsters. We observed fist come ..........rules.

Well we had claim jumpers that would pull up to others and intimidate or strong arm access. They pulled guns and crowbar on others. Police no help. Maybe paid to ignore.

This was over several years. Eventually me alone had to put up with 6 to 8 trucks with 2 or more people each. They would flee the county to the city every time..police acted confused and helpless. Maybe just because. Not a good look when the police are part of the problem.
Explained in my opinion as....oo they are just scrappers.
Well not me . I'm a business that always got prior permission.

Uggg! No justice no peace just scrap gangs.
Protect your neck.

I once had a guy pull up to a dumpster on his bicycle, he immediately jumps into the center of dumpster. He goes on to warn me that I should be careful if police see me going thru a dumpster, they will give me a ticket. What this guy was doing was trying to prevent me from going thru a dumpster he wanted. If he had taken time to observe, I was cleaning up the area around the dumpster, the mess the last "diver" made. LMAO I informed him, It was my dumpster, please don't make a mess and take some good advice, please exit the property after dark, as armed security will exit you from the property. My method of dumpster diving, I take the whole dumpster and bring a new empty one! Nothing wrong with dumpster diving, some good advice - observation is one of your greatest assets - don't make a mess for someone else to cleanup!

I agree you must clean up as fair exchange. It makes you welcome to return. Teach the un teachable! By example. Lol broom in hand.

Maybe a alley scrapper mad I advertise and do get around . This was while parked at home . Now I have audio/video security cameras.

Once a little tude from a diver when I greeted him . He quickly said I have permission if you don't you will get in trouble . I said I had permission months ago also
but I am not looking to barge in on you . Other than that it's peaceful scrapping in the upstate NY area

I've been unknowingly pushing out a few local e scrappers. I'm not particularly concerned except to leave my truck unattended in public. That windshield pic is kind of alarming.

The smashed window? People suck.

I never had anyone say anything to me but I'm pretty big. I also just ignore most people and do my thing. I'd say I'm the annoyed one at the smash and grab scrappers and recently I came into a spot and noticed two guys with a truck and trailer full of appliances and scrap with out of state plates. I was a little annoyed thinking they were traveling through and poaching on the local spots.

I had a crack head stealing from a store I pick up scrap at.

He was caught by the manager and staff and was told to stay away on several occasions.

He had to go 50 feet down a private driveway to steal this stuff.

I called one scrap yard and gave his plate number-they cut him off permanently that day.

Funny thing is I called the scrapyard I deal with and they said(the manager) "Well, we have to prove he is stealing."

Even when I told them I had contacted the police the manager told me unless the guy got arrested they would not cut him off.

I called the police and told them the scrap yard won't cut the guy off so they went to the yard and "tore them a new one"

People may say biting the hand that feeds me is risky but when a "legitimate" business encourages thieves, I would rather risk them not wanting to deal with me than letting a thief get away with ripping people off.

And this morning someone stole every single empty tower and printer from one of my pickup locations in the 30 minutes between "I'll be there at 10 if you guys want to get started stacking." And actually showing up. I called sadoff and fox iron and metal and told them what was up since all the towers would be labeled by the company...we will see if they reciprocate that since it is only shred, still every empty tower is between 12 and 20 lbs. Printers I'm always out a few bucks because I started returning the cartridges.

I'd like to just cuss SOMEONE out for it. Writing is on the wall now, no more setting anything outside until I'm there to help. I won't say anything about the theft to my other locations I will just tell them I'd like to help if I can.

Originally Posted by armygreywolf

And this morning someone stole every single empty tower and printer from one of my pickup locations in the 30 minutes between "I'll be there at 10 if you guys want to get started stacking." And actually showing up. I called sadoff and fox iron and metal and told them what was up since all the towers would be labeled by the company...we will see if they reciprocate that since it is only shred, still every empty tower is between 12 and 20 lbs. Printers I'm always out a few bucks because I started returning the cartridges.

I'd like to just cuss SOMEONE out for it. Writing is on the wall now, no more setting anything outside until I'm there to help. I won't say anything about the theft to my other locations I will just tell them I'd like to help if I can.

I feel you army lol. Back in 2006 my new flyer touted free pick up and disposal also....curb side pick up like the trash man. Well no calls but stuff on curb . No permission to no pick.

Then I paid others to distribute my flyers. The word was out. No calls just stuff by curb.really? Then when I did get called they say I put it outside already. When I arrived nothing there. Then the alley scrappers came deep. City wide.
I now tell clients I'll take it out . Or else it will get stolen.

Now contractors hold stuff and when I arrive they say 5 people asked if they could take the scrap. Wow . I didn't know what I started. Free was in a coma and curb alert was unheard of.

I didn't know this would be the norm. Every one called me junk man or Fred s.

The funny thing is those people now are trying to be me. I'm on a call and they drive by alley crapping.
We work for ours as a business. Others just want a quick buck with no Input. Mine. Back off my model. I'm real . I did my research and paid to advertise.

Anything on the curb and I guess people consider it fair game. For personal customers, no more leaving things on the curbs, I guess.

The economy isn't getting much better, so I can see more people getting in on it.

Pretty much how I feel, I'm willing to move the material myself just to keep it secure.

Why would you not ask them to put it in there driveway or carport for you? Not at the curb!

Originally Posted by hobo finds

Why would you not ask them to put it in there driveway or carport for you? Not at the curb!

Lol , same as the curb. If it looks like scrap they will venture. ....no shame.

And hide your grill and bikes.The alley is not safe. Chain them and your patio set .