Originally Posted by
DevinThaScrapper
Ok so let me get this straight:
You don't know if you can put bins down
You don't have an area with permission to put bins down
You don't have resources to move a bin
You don't have resources to construct a bin that's structurally sound and looks up to par
Instead of looking for funding why not scrap normally for a while and put away a little money each week for your business plan. Talk around and hypothetically get permission to place your bins whence your ready and have the money.
I also don't feel a bin that is that size is going to be any use to you. Due to the size its going to be overlooked, and like you said EASILY stolen or broken into because of how small it is. You would be better off just spending your money on flyers and picking up loads the same size of the bin. If you do enough marketing or host events where people can come drop there stuff you'd be better off. Now if you had resources (which you may in the future) to get this done such as a truck, trailer, pallet jack or forklift, the correct size boxes, places to put them, security on them, then you may have a shot.
I'm not leaning towards u quitting on your idea, just not rushing into it.
Best of luck.
I can't help but agree with the young (and very profitable) entrepreneur/successful businessman.
I can't help but think that your best option is to abandon bins and hit the phones. I made one phone call Monday and because of it I am picking up a load of computers tomorrow at $1.50/tower. Its not perfect but all I have to do is show up on time and hand over the small amount of cash.
I want to do bins too. But I'm not doing bins until I own my own trailer and pallet jack (or skidloader if all goes to plan). The key is not to get in over your head. You have to crawl before you can walk and walk before you can run. You have a license, you have a vehicle to use (though its not the perfect scrap vehicle it does move small stuff around), and you clearly have the time since you're unemployed. Call the computer shops around town and see what they do with their fried components/customer drop offs. The worst they can say is "we scrap them ourselves" or "we already have someone that picks them up for us".
Instead of spending money on bins and cameras, spend your money on
business cards and a dedicated business phone line. A phone is a powerful tool when it comes to networking/marketing your services.
I saw you mention not too long ago that you responded to a CL ad for 28lb of lead. Dude that's $12. If you have the time and gas to go pick up $12 across town you have the time and money to poke your head into the local businesses around town and tell them you're willing to get dirty if it means theres money in your pocket and there's more room in their shop.
We all want to dream big, but dreams are dreams and actions are reality. You need to act on getting cash flow in your favor. Paying off the hhr so you can get a ranger/s10. Then trading the ranger/s10 for a full size truck (or whatever you want to do the job). Paying off the hhr is not going to happen running across town for a coffee can full of wheel weights. Its going to happen by making phone calls and answering your phone when it rings. If the score is worth it then rent a uhaul/throw an ad up on CL that says you'll give someone $50 to borrow their truck for an afternoon. Do whatever it takes to show people who have scrap that you can be their scrap guy.
I don't mean to be hard on you but your ideas seem scatterbrained. Do what you can with the resources you have. Save your money to invest in bigger and more practical resources which in turn will give you more work.
You say you don't have a job and want to get into scrap...how do you pay your bills/stay on top of payments on the hhr?
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