guys, whats the best way to get into the scrap?

in my area, there is a ton of competition!!!! i usually just jump the garbage routes and get my friends and family into it. i do ook but i want to do better. i broke my leg so i cant go to work and i m cool with that because of my scrapping. i just want to knbow some tricks about getting some more!!!! i only average about 80$ a week for the tin and i keep the good stuff for an entire year. does anyone have any advice?

With any process there are two ways to increase your output. One is to increase your input, which it seems you are focused on. The other way to increase output is to increase the efficiency of your operation. Search the old posts for tips on how to do this. If you aren't yet separating non-ferrous materials from you tin/shred, you should start. You should be able to easily cull 10 to 20 lbs of aluminum and maybe 5 to 10 lbs of insulated wire from a load of shred. Start with this and the rest will follow.

Broken leg is not doin it. Whenever I read a question I always look at date when member first joined.Pay your dues.(figuratively)

i am not worried about my leg hahaha. does everyone have business cards or what? after reading in here i can remember alot of encounters with people that i did wish i had a card but mostly theses people look at me like im a hobo hahhaa. im just wondering what peopld might have on their cards?

to be honest with you i am only cashing in my tin and i am saving everything else for an entire year to see if its worth it!! im hoping to bring home at least $1500 in a single check. does anyone else try this or what?

Originally Posted by Otto

With any process there are two ways to increase your output. One is to increase your input, which it seems you are focused on. The other way to increase output is to increase the efficiency of your operation. Search the old posts for tips on how to do this. If you aren't yet separating non-ferrous materials from you tin/shred, you should start. You should be able to easily cull 10 to 20 lbs of aluminum and maybe 5 to 10 lbs of insulated wire from a load of shred. Start with this and the rest will follow.

i just went on a drive today and got mostly alluminum!!! does anoyone else wait an entore year to cash in or what?

by the way thats a picture of my first load that i almost crashed with hahhhah. it just looks lik crap on here!!!!

I'd either sell now, or wait for a while. The markets seem to be slowing. Others on the forum are much more experienced with the metal market than I am.

As for finding stuff, there are two basic tips for you. First, read through some forum threads. There is a lot of good stuff in there. Second, I'd spend a day in the truck. Go around the area, and see what you can come up with.

Business cards are key. Spend $10-15 online for some, and it will be money well spent.

If people are looking at you like a hobo, you need to step up your game.

Take inventory of yourself when this happens. An make note of anything you think could be making them look at you this way.

Are you wearing the right clothes when approaching new business? Even if it's some dude in his drive way you should always be dressed respectable.

Are you using slang when talking with folks? If so you might want to change that. Learn the words of the business along with the skills. I do this sometimes, it doesn't happen nearly as often but sometimes i slip up.

Business cards will always win you points. Or a fridge magnet, or something that will remind folks you an your services exist.

You got a broken leg, but this one still applies..Is your vehicle of choice clean on the outside? while it might be fun to mudding with your buddies an make a mess, it's usually best to clean said mess up before visiting a potential client/customer. ( i use mudding as an example..it's fun..an messy. :P )

These are the things you should be taking note of in my opinion.

Should be above b ut..whatever..I can do whatever in my post. Know the business. Know how recycling works, etc. People will ask you about what you do. Be knowledgeable an able to answer their questions. You don't need to be a master, but knowing about what you do help you more then hinder you. It will also help you when dealing with industry. From the yards to your clients, to the down stream of your product.

Oh..an as the others said much more nicely then me, read the forums an the posts from those who came before you. I guarntee the majority of your questions will be answered an already there. Spend the time an study these forums, I can't stress this enough. Become friends with that search box, I'm talking BFF friends with it.

An one last thing....constantly repeating the same question over an over will not get you a reply any faster. (the.."Do any of you hold your metal for a year?" question that is asked 4 times in just as many posts above)

I may be harsh but you'll thank me later when you've read these forums soaked up all the knowledge an find your wallet fatter for taking the extra time to do so.

Sirscrapalot - Who needs a feather when you can use a whip. - Someone into chains an whips an all that?

No, I don't hold non-ferrous for a year. I put metals such as copper, brass and small pieces of aluminum in their respective 55 gallon drums and I put large aluminum on a trailer and steel on a trailer. When any one of the above gets full, I take it to the yard. Space is valuable.

I think if most of us held onto it for a year we would be bringing in at least 10k if not more. I could pull 500 a week if I wanted to, and I'm only 16. But hey school comes first (Sorta) Scrapping second.