CTSSolutions' thread v.FinallyBoughtATruckAndItFeelsLikeSummer

[CTSSolutions]

Well guys I've been wanting to get into the scrap business for a while now and had some setbacks that prevented me from doing so. But I'm over those hurdles and am on the move now. I finally bought a scrap truck (beat up old dakota) and have began to make my rounds.

I have a partner of sorts. We've done a lot of jobs together in the past, whether it was picking up scrap or hauling junk or doing handyman stuff or cutting down trees or "you name it and we'll name a price" kind of work. We work well together and he has a '88 Chevy K2500 that will haul nearly anything we want to move. He also has a little trailer we can pile stuff on when need be. So now the official fleet is a '95 Dakota with 6.5' bed, '88 Chevy K2500 full size, and a small (5x7'?) landscape trailer we can use when it's needed.

My partner and I have don't have everything set in stone but he knows that I'm trying to get into the ewaste side of things and that I don't want to share that money with him. That's not what hes interested in anyways (at least for now) and I generally only call him when I'm in over my head or I'm afraid that what I'm about to do will hurt my back unless I make a phone call and put 4 hands and 4 legs on it. But we have simple business cards that say we do general hauling, scrap metal, e waste, etc and they have both our numbers on them. They will be here Friday.

I run ads on craigslist for scrap. Most of the time I get emails and phone calls about 25lbs of rotors and 50lbs of junk steel. That kind of stuff isn't worth my time or gas. I refer them to people that I know eat the kind of stuff up and go about my business. About 6 months ago I put up an ad for hauling scrap and a guy called me with a 300lb boiler next to a "pile of scrap". Turns out he was a house flipper and was ripping everything old out of the house. On the top of the scrap pile was about 150# of aluminum from an awning. That turned out to be a great call. Made around $150 for driving 15 minutes south and loading up my buddies truck. We like stuff like that (and bigger). We try to leave the small stuff for people that are willing to spend more in gas than what they pick up. Don't get me wrong - I know small jobs can easily turn into big jobs - but I work around 50-65 hours a week at my real job. My partner works 40 hours a week as a plumber. If we're going to work after work we're old enough now that we need to make sure we'll get paid.

So that's a little background...here's me moving forward. Like I said earlier I had a couple setbacks that delayed this process (DUI, first offense). I am finally back on the road again and I bought a truck. I haven't driven her enough to give her a name but I'm pretty happy with my purchase. 1995 Dodge Dakota (can't believe I bought a Dodge...) 3.9 V6, 5 Speed, 150,000 miles, solid frame with no rust, already a little beat up so I don't mind giving her a couple scratches this summer. I paid $1050. Here she is:




I bought the truck on Thursday night (5/29/15), the previous owner had a DUI so it had an interlock on it. I transfered the title on Friday and he had the interlock removed. I picked up the truck Monday (6/1/15. Since I knew I was ready to hit the ground running I made up some business cards on Sunday. This was loooong overdue. My partner and I have been talking about them for months. We talked about logos...we talked about what we want to specialize in...we talked about everything over and over and over again. Nothing got done. So I made some up. Plain as plain can be. But they get the job done for now. Ordered 500 of them from Vistaprint and it cost me $21.12 after shipping and tax. Should have done it months ago. Our next cards will have a logo, and will hopefully say "BUYING JUNK CARS!" after we buy my dream trailer.

Here are the cards. They're nothing to write home about but at least we can hand out SOMETHING.



Our next cards will be much better, but this is better than nothing.

There's the truck and there's the cards....lets talk scrap. I have done a couple jobs for people at work before. I cut up and hauled away a hot tub for a good friend of mine there I charged him $100 to cut and haul. I pulled the circ pump (sold on eBay for $75), the main pump (Sold on eBay for $125), the heater (sold on eBay for $165). The ozone generator was shot but it was all aluminum so I pulled it apart and scrapped that. We smashed the control module/board. Well..I didn't. The owner did. I was pissed. They go for big money on ebay and even broken ones sell well. Whatever. Live and learn. I've also hauled away garage junk for another guy at work. $200 to take away a truck and trailer full of stuff. Couch, loveseat, aluminum outdoor furniture, christmas lights, magazines, carpet, yard waste.... we actually ended up having a fire and saved ourselves $30 by skipping a dump run. He then paid us $150 to cut down a pine for him a couple weeks later. Took 2 hours. Easy money...except now my back hurts

Word is starting to get around work that I do stuff people pay to have people do for them. I talked to another buddy of mine at work and he is moving out of a house and into a different one. I went there today and picked up a working workout machine (with 100-200# cast iron weights), a motorcycle jack, a glass topped table, couple dvr's, comcast boxes, vcrs, dvd players, wiring, and some scrap steel, aluminum, brass, hardware...all sorts of good stuff. I got it all in my truck for free. And then I drove home. And I looked in my shed... and there's no room for all this stuff. And the basement is wet. And she'll KILL me if I bring it inside.

So I called around to some local storage places. I never should have called....

I called one that I wanted to go to. They didn't answer. So I called in to my second option. They did answer but he was being short with me on the phone. I wasn't sure why until he said "Do you mind if I call you back? I'm about to start auctioning off some units". This place is about a minute from my house. I hopped in my truck and scooted on over. I walk in and there is the owner, some of his family, and one other guy standing there. There's 6 units for sale. I walk around and nothing really catches my eye that I'm drooling over. I did see a unit that had an old tower sitting right in front loaded with windows 98 and a celeron processor. I thought to myself "well that's $10" right there...lets see what happens. The unit was pretty well stuffed full of someones old house.

The "auction" starts (there was no auctioneer..just me and the other bidder telling the owner I'll give you $x for it). First locker goes for $30. I didn't bid, that was the opening bid set by the owner. Second one I think was $25. third one we both passed on. 4th one had the tower and stereo equipment and stuff like that. The other guy wasn't interested. Owner said "Give me $10 for it" I said "Okay." 5th and 6th I wasn't interested in because there was a lot of furniture and we had to be out by 48 hours.

Yes you all read that right. I went out to a guys house from work..picked up half a truck full of stuff I had no space for...called storage units places to find somewhere to PUT stuff and ended up BUYING more stuff.

Since I had no where to put all this stuff and only had 48 hours to empty the unit I decided to just rent the unit (the owner was really happy with that). It's $55 a month and 1 minute from my house. it's kind of a pain to get in and out of. It's a 36" front door, down a wide hallway and through a 32" door. but if I'm just doing computers in it it's plenty of space. It's 8'10" and currently overflowing with stuff.

I spent about 4 hours in there myself today digging through what I bought. All the clothes went to the Salvation Army. The junk got piled up, the metal got looked at, and there's a lot of flea market stuff in there. I'm going on saturday morning to try to offload some of it. Like that weight bench, cycle jack, glass topped table...There was a dresser in the unit I'll try to sell, another table, kids bike, kids electric quad thing, some new stuff, LOTS of new in box matchbox cars, christmas stuff (I wanted to give it all to salvation army but it was all in nice totes that I want to keep for scrap since they're already bought and paid for), halloween stuff, the list goes on and on. I want to clear it this weekend so I can actually use it for breakdowns of ewaste. Here are some pictures. Sorry for potato quality...I was zoomed all the way out but when you're in a 8x10' room everything looks big on camera.

It wasn't stacked this nice when I got in there....


A lot of the boxes were out of a teenage males room...he was quite the collector. And kept stuff brand new in box. 100's of matchbox cars. countless Michael Jordan relics. I doubt any of it is worth much but I'll take what I can get. I don't have the time to search every little thing he left behind. I didn't see anything rookie related but we'll see what happens.


Dryer (that was a bonus...I didn't see it before I started digging), dresser, steel outdoor table (wish it was Al in case it doesn't sell at the market)....etc etc



Stereo equipment. Unfortunately it's all from around the year 2000. Back when things weren't built like they used to be and aren't old enough to be worth money. I'll break em down unless I see something name brand.



Here's why I bought the unit. I knew I'd get (or at least close) to my money back just breaking this down.





Found lots of stuff like this...box of old stereos from cars... I'll break em down for the boards and cut the cords. It's no way to get rich but it helps pay the bills.



Not pictured: small no name rolling toolbox full of chinese tools, 2 brand new steel shelving units still flat packed, 6' aluminum ladder, more christmas/halloween stuff than should ever be allowed in one house, brand new shoes, and a whooollllee bunch of junk.

I should have taken more pictures for you guys...there's more to look at, but I was there alone and there was no breeze... cant wait to get it cleared out so I can start the breakdown.

Thanks for reading and stop back often...I'll be throwing up pictures of stuff and pictures of cash as it all cycles through.

CLIFFS for those who have ADHD or just think pictures are pretty: I got my license back and can drive again last week, bought a truck on Thursday, bought business cards Sunday, picked up my truck Monday, filled said truck Wednesday with scrap and sellable stuff...then realized I didn't have anywhere to put it...so I went to a storage locker auction and bought one. Now I rent said storage locker...own all the contents...and emptied my truck into it so now it's full to the gills. Going to the flea market on Saturday to hopefully empty it out some.

[CTSSolutions]

OH MAN! I totally forgot to mention this part.... So on Monday I knew I was going to have my truck by the end of the day and I called over to a local computer repair shop. I get the owner on the phone and gave him my pitch. Told him I was a scrapper and wanted to know what he does will all the fried components/junk computers. He said he used to have a guy that would come once a month and pick them up for $1.25/tower but he hasn't heard from him in months. So I said "Oh really? So you have a whole big pile sitting there for me right?" he laughed and said that when the guy stopped showing up he stopped taking drop offs. I told him I'd give him $1.50/tower and to start saving them again. He said no problem and that I should come by on Friday to meet with him and his partner and we can all feel each other out. Lucky for me I'll have my business cards by then and can make a somewhat professional first appearence. I'll have a truck, business cards and a dolly...and a big smile and a pocket full of tower buying cash. What's more professional than that?!

Super excited about it and really want to get my hands on at least 20 towers and 100# of wire. We'll see. Cant believe I forgot about it in the original post.

yes I know 100# of wire isn't going to happen...but a kids allowed to dream!

[CTSSolutions]

Man I'm forgetting allllll sorts of stuff. Long day..

I mentioned before that my buddy is a plumber. He gets all sorts of stuff from work. And he digs through the dumpsters and finds brass GOLD. He brought me 20 or so faucets a few months back and I've been slowing dumping them on eBay. I sell 3 at a time of the same ones and usually get $50-65 for a set of 3. That's better than scrap weight - I'll take what I can get. But on Monday night (monday was a really good day... I drove my truck home...got a computer connection...and) I sold 3 faucets on eBay for $122.50! There was a last minute bidding war between someone who had set their max to $120 and a sniper that swooped in last minute and stole it for $122.50. SUPER PUMPED about that. I've seen small battles happen on eBay that worked a little for me. Like that Heater I sold off the hot tub went for more than asking price at the last minute because 2 people wanted it....but I've never seen one of my listings go from $49.95 to $122.50 in 3 minutes at the end of an auction.



Of course I have to pay eBay their fees, paypal their fees and split the money with my partner (he finds the stuff..I sell the stuff). But splitting $120 goes a lot further than splitting $50!

[CTSSolutions]

I called the computer shop I was scheduled to pick up from today around noon. They said they were there and ready for me. I told them 3pm. I showed up at 2:55 and saw a sign on the door that said "Closed due to family emergency. Sorry."

I was a little upset they didn't call me to say don't come, but I know in a situation that's drastic enough to close the doors of your shop that it was serious. I called them while standing in the parking lot and said:

"Hey xxxxx this is Spencer from CTS Solutions. I hope everything is okay with you and your family. I will call you on Monday to schedule a new pickup time for those towers and whatnot. Again, hope all is well. Give me a call anytime at xxx-xxx-xxxx"

Im working 3rd shift at my real job and they don't open until 10am. So we'll see what happens with it. I get out at 7am and I'm dead tired..staying up until 10am will be a challenge but considering there is ewaste/money involved I'm sure I can power through

Anyways..that was kind of a bust but at least they got a call at 3pm when I was supposed to see them saying I'm here and will be back when the time is right for all of us.

Sorta worked out in a way though. As stated in my first posts...I bought a storage unit (wtf was I thinking?!?!). And it's going to be my ewaste dungeon/jail cell. You saw some pictures of what it looked like full...heres what some of it looks like in a little Dakota 12 hours before a flea market.







And heres some stuff in my GF's car








I went ahead and posted some stuff on Craigslist promoting the sale. I don't expect it to do much...especially if it rains tomorrow but we'll see what happens. I don't have room for this stuff if it doesn't sell. I need that storage unit for breaking town ewaste, not storing plastic junk. It will all go to the dump on Monday. I'm not even going to spend the time to hit it individually on CL or Facebook Garage Sale groups. I work too much to make that all worth my time. So tomorrow is do or die on this stuff. I WILL be letting stuff go for a dollar..maybe even free. I don't want to put it back in my truck.

I hauled junk all through high school and it always blew my mind when people would pay me (us) $150 to take away a load of stuff that had $200 stickers on it! They would hold a garage sale and give the leftovers to me. I tried to explain that if they would have just put a free sign on the dresser instead of the $150 (that no one was going to pay) they would have gotten rid of it for free...but instead they are paying me to take it to the dump. Some people shook their head like they understood, most just gave me blank stares. I stopped trying to explain this concept after a while because load after load after load had price tags on them instead of free signs. People just don't get it.

Here's my Craigslist ad. I hope the rain holds off. I don't have EZ ups or umbrellas...this could turn into a nightmare.

Storage Unit CLEAROUT - FIND ME AT SATURDAY'S MARKERT


That's all for today... hopefully tomorrow I'll be taking pictures of cash for you guys.

[Mechanic688]

The left-overs you might work a deal with another marketer to take your stuff on consignment or buy you out.
That would help fill up their space cheap.

[CTSSolutions]

The left-overs you might work a deal with another marketer to take your stuff on consignment or buy you out.
That would help fill up their space cheap.

Hadn't thought about that. I'll be chatting it up with the neighbors for sure. Thanks!

I'll do whatever it takes to not take it home.

I paid $10 for the unit. Market space is $20 a spot (I might end up with 2 spots cause I have 2 vehicles). So I'll be into this stuff $50+time and gas. Once I clear the $50 its a free for all to get it gone!

I also got my business cards today so I'll be making those rain on anyone with a hand to take it.

Its time to get to work!

[NHscrapman]

you got 50 there.... easy
Nice pickup, lots of above scrap value items.
I see a black pair of shoes..and you said, M J relics, Air Jordans in good to excellent shape fetch a premium, most over $100

[CTSSolutions]

you got 50 there.... easy
Nice pickup, lots of above scrap value items.
I see a black pair of shoes..and you said, M J relics, Air Jordans in good to excellent shape fetch a premium, most over $100

Not Jordan's unfortunately. They are Nike hiking boots of some sort. Mint condition though. We'll see what happens.

Nice eye!

[matador]

That Dodge will do wonders. I own a 1992 Dakota, and in my mind, they're the best truck out there on a budget. I've pulled 4500# with the little 3.9- they'll work!

I would recommend sides, though. I've loaded 1600# in the bed of mine- the racks will help!


The main thing is that you own the truck. Your E-Waste finds look pretty good- keep it up, and that Dodge will literally pay for itself.

[CTSSolutions]

That Dodge will do wonders. I own a 1992 Dakota, and in my mind, they're the best truck out there on a budget. I've pulled 4500# with the little 3.9- they'll work!

I would recommend sides, though. I've loaded 1600# in the bed of mine- the racks will help!


The main thing is that you own the truck. Your E-Waste finds look pretty good- keep it up, and that Dodge will literally pay for itself.

I like it a lot so far man. Pulls well with the small amounts of weight I've had in it so far. Its got a couple things that are bugging the crap out of me...wipers wipe too far (off the windshield) when on the highway. Tailgate needs new cables (ordered them today), weather stripping was letting wind/small amounts of water in if its raining on the highway (I ran a bead of silicone under the strip yesterday and the wind is quieter...waiting for rain to see how good I did). Clutch squeaks...already drenched it with white lith...still loud. Put the seat forward today to stuff some stuff behind it...it won't lock in now... Didn't monkey with it too much.... Its all little stuff and it is a $1050 truck. It runs and drives well...everything I'm complaining about are niceties I'd like to have but don't need.

I'm thinking about side walls and I'm torn right now. I will probably end up building some but for now I'm running without. I'm sure a few hauls from now I will end up strapping some on.

My business partner came by tonight to check out the storage unit/drop off some flea market stuff. He bought a window fan for $5 and a Kenwood receiver for $25. I'm halfway to the black folks!

I have a good feeling about tomorrow - IF it doesn't rain.

I'll have my phone with me and charged to snap pics of the setup (gonna be super ghetto...I'm lacking on tables), but I'm excited either way. I've been to the flea market a handful of times...rarely do people have big stuff like that weight bench/dryer. There might be a reason for that and there might not - time shall tell.

Anyways its 10:30 and my alarm is set for 2:45. Gotta catch some sleep so I can be on the top of my haggling game in the morning!

Thanks for all the support/advice guys...I value your opinions cause I know you've all learned a lot from the time you were in my shoes until today.

[matador]

The wipers should have a nut on the part that attaches to the base stub at the bottom of the windshield. Undo that nut, take the wiper off and move it back a notch or two, and tighten it up. That fixed the wipers on our truck. Ours was a $1000 truck too, so you'll just have to deal with a little personality

I don't know if you do your own oil changes or not, but I'd take this into the shop for them. The 3.9 takes up a lot of room in the Dakota- the oil filter comes through the passenger wheelwell. It's a miserable job to do. Other than that, they are one ***** of a truck! Ours did more work than our F150, was more comfortable to drive, and was more fuel efficient.

If you'll look closely, that rack folded in half for fuel economy when empty. You may want to look into a system like that.

This won't help you tomorrow, but doors make excellent tables. Just prop them on both ends, and voila- one light duty table!

[CTSSolutions]

The wipers should have a nut on the part that attaches to the base stub at the bottom of the windshield. Undo that nut, take the wiper off and move it back a notch or two, and tighten it up. That fixed the wipers on our truck. Ours was a $1000 truck too, so you'll just have to deal with a little personality

I don't know if you do your own oil changes or not, but I'd take this into the shop for them. The 3.9 takes up a lot of room in the Dakota- the oil filter comes through the passenger wheelwell. It's a miserable job to do. Other than that, they are one ***** of a truck! Ours did more work than our F150, was more comfortable to drive, and was more fuel efficient.

If you'll look closely, that rack folded in half for fuel economy when empty. You may want to look into a system like that.

This won't help you tomorrow, but doors make excellent tables. Just prop them on both ends, and voila- one light duty table!

Thats the worst part about the wipers...when they are off they sit where they are supposed to. If I pop it back a notch they will be sitting on the hood when off. Pretty sure the motor has worn gears and it skips a tooth when the wind catches it then falls back into place later...Annoying because I just put $30 in blades on it and I'm beating the crap out of the drivers side blade bouncing over the weatherstripping and then sliding across the a pillar.

I do my own oil changes but thanks for throwing that out there. I was planning a change this weekend and you've cinvinced me to take it somewhere at at least watch one before I end up frustrating myself.

I did see the hinges and really like that design. I want to run a modified version of that on the stake body I want to get (talk to me in a year or so). Looks like a solid setup! I put my first tank of gas in it yesterday. 19.7mpg mostly highway. I want to do new plugs, new air filter, and run injector cleaner through her and see if I can get closer to 22ish. Probably wishful thinking though.

I do have 2 sawhorses and some plywood. And a small folding table my partner dropped off tonight. I'll make it work. Its 11:38pm...I'm tempted to just stay up. Market runs til 4pm though...I won't last. I'm gonna go shower now so I don't have to in the morning...

[Mechanic688]

I got in a pinch towards the tale end of the month and ran out of money and no easy scrap to turn. My Taurus started squealing on the front brakes when applied. I went out to the local junkyard (family owned) and looked around till I found a Taurus with nice looking pads on it. I pulled the 3/4 brake pads and an almost new set of wipers and the yard would not charge me. State law they cannot charge for used parts like that, this tip might help someone else save a buck.

[matador]

I was able to do the filter, but it wasn't easy. For the extra $10-15 in labor, I'll farm that one out!

Our 1992 was a 3.9L with the 5 speed and 4x4. We got 21 MPG on the highway at 60 MPH- about 19.5 with the rack on (Empty). I think 22 is doable. On our truck, the left wiper stopped working, because the gear was a little stripped. I advanced it one tooth. It now goes off a little on the top, but it's always worked. Plus, windshield wipers in Wyoming? Come on!

That rack was an Omaha Standard- you should be able to find some pictures of it. These are my other photos. The rack was a lot nicer five trucks ago- I built my own rack for my last two trucks- this one was just too modified. It was originally a livestock rack, so it was very heavy. We've hauled a few hundred hogs in it- it was a well-built unit.




The 239 is just a 318 with two cylinders missing- it's a great engnine. Take care of that truck, and it'll last a while.

[Metalbestos]

If you still have that bmx bike can you tell me what's written on the frame ? Thanks for sharing and keep it up your on a roll ! Look up that pioneer reciever you might be pleasantly surprised

[CTSSolutions]

If you still have that bmx bike can you tell me what's written on the frame ? Thanks for sharing and keep it up your on a roll ! Look up that pioneer reciever you might be pleasantly surprised

it was a Hoffman probably from kmart.

sold for $30 at 5:10am...market opens at 7 lol

so far i have $75 in my pocket and need to pay my space fee of $40 yet.

nothing sold for a little bit... hope it picks up

[Metalbestos]

Got ya . Well that blue light special bike payed off the unit purchase price and your lot spot , I find a lot of "next" and " mongoose " models that are the Walmart variety . I was hoping that bike would be better but it's out of your hair now . Good luck with the sales

[CTSSolutions]

Got ya . Well that blue light special bike payed off the unit purchase price and your lot spot , I find a lot of "next" and " mongoose " models that are the Walmart variety . I was hoping that bike would be better but it's out of your hair now . Good luck with the sales

Yeah I rode a lot of BMX when I was a kid. I keep my eyes out for Haro's cause that's what I always wanted. I have no idea what kids are rocking these days. Seems like all run low tilted back seats, debadged frames and small sprockets...most run without brakes. It wasn't like that 10 years ago...

Well guys I came home with a dryer, a living room table, DVD player with speakers, receiver, one electric heater, Kenwood speakers...I think that's it.

I will post a detailed list later. I feel bad I didn't take any pics... I said I would...and I want this thread to have a bunch of pics...so the best I can do for ya is this:



$336 after lot fees and paying myself back $10. $336 for the business.

+ my partner owes me $30 on that receiver and window fan.

Some might think I did really well...I expected $500. I was slashing prices like a madman and selling my tail off.

The reality of is that I called off work 3 days to make this happen (I only needed one but the way my work is set up it better to take 3 instead of wasting a "point". Long story...). So I lost out on over $300 right there. And I worked my tail off to make it happen. Its pretty bittersweet. I really needed the days off work though. They work me like a dog and this was a nice break from that (even though it was a lot of work...and the money washed out to even). At least I have a storage unit now and have a place to process towers. And i got to see what the flea market as a vendor is all about.

At $350+ i probably made the most money selling sub $40 items than anyone else there...but I feel I left a lot of meat on the bone. Maybe I'm greedy...maybe I just have so much student loan debt that I'm really scrambling at this point...I don't know. Not bad for a $10 unit..but it also cost me a solid 20 manhours to get it done. And I still have to go to the dump which costs $30.

So in reality I'm slaving for $15/hr. If that was consistent... I'd quit my job in a heartbeat. But its not (yet) so only time will tell how this all plays out.

Still bummed I skipped the pics...I should have taken before during and after pics. I sold a whole bunch of stuff

[CTSSolutions]

Years back I did the flea markets a bit. I mostly went so that I could FISH for collectors of things that I have plenty of. I had a nice permanent setup at a market that is a reasonable drive from me and I would most times go there Thursday later in the day and be ready for the next morning. There were others that had permanent booths and there were those that traveled in motor homes with nice trailers and rented enough space to park and set up with their wares. So there would be a few others there on a Thursday just relaxing and visiting a bit with others that were there.

The market days back then were Fri, Sat and Sunday was free if sellers that were there the day before wanted to relax. Most would head out Saturday afternoon so they could set up at the next market on Sunday and such. Now the market I'm talking about is a family market on a old farm place and the owners live across the road and near by so in the past they didn't mind the regulars coming in early and staying longer even tho the market wasn't really open for the public at the time.

It is a Saturday only market these days from what I understand. I haven't been there in many years as the world was a turning and it wasn't profitable anymore to invest so much TIME and energy into it.

I had many great times visiting with others that did the flea markets as a hobby or lifestyle when the selling and trading day for the public had closed. But the sellers were a busy trading and such. That is where you could find the deals and treasures at the market. The off duty time when folks are relaxing and such.

For those that are curious or interested as it is still claimed to be one of the best markets in Minnesota. Just search for "Wright County Swapper's Meet".

As I said, I haven't been there in years, but I do plan on a few trips this year just to look around and maybe do some "fishing" for collectors.


As I read I was reminded of something that I learned many years ago when I first got my place. It was a VERY nice day outside and I had things to do around the yard but just didn't feel like doing much more then having a nap.

Then the next day was rain and storm and I felt rested up and was ready to get outside and do something, but the weather was nasty.

I remember thinking that I should of worked the day before and rested on the rain day.

It took me awhile to figure it out clearly that I felt like a nap and that was what was at the top of my personal list as that is what I required. If I would of pushed myself doing things because of the weather and time, it wouldn't of turned out well as I have learned that from experience that you always have to "rest up" within a balance or you end up burning out and take quite awhile to get back to your old self.

I have learned how to follow a flow that works well enough for me as I can't jump as high and run as fast as I did in the past, but I can still kick butt when required.

then have a nice vacation and recharge the system.

We are a bit like a rechargeable battery in that with age it takes longer to get a charge and it don't last as long.

the energizer bunny from the olden daze

Flea markets are cool, but they're a lot of work. I enjoyed getting rid of that stuff for money because I knew it had value but it would have been much easier to load it all up and head to the dump. As much as I like junk, I need to be making healthy profits. The time/money I put into buying this storage unit + processing it for sale + loading + going to market and selling it + still making a dump run and cleaning the unit so I can USE it is going to net me $10-12/hour all said and done. I make $16.60 at my real job. So until I figure out how to make more money, I can't quit. And I really want to quit.

I'm in search of the freedom of working for myself, but I'm also in search of finacial freedom. I pay nearly $800/month for student loans on a degree I don't use. Then I have rent, food, gas, insurance, unexpected living costs, and I like to treat my gf to dinner when I can. Buying and selling storage units isn't going to get me where I want to be...unless I get lucky...and I'm not a lucky guy.

I hear ya on the rechargeable battery, man. I'm still young at the age of 25, but I'm already slowing down. I used to be able to run on 3-4 hours of sleep every day of the week and not skip a beat. I just can't do that anymore. I got home from the market around 4pm after stopping at a buddies house on the way home. I was asleep on the couch at 5pm and just woke up at 11:30. Now I'll be up all night on the internet reading this and that and talking smack on forums. It's not a total loss...I work 3rd shift at the moment so this will keep me on schedule for the week but it's not really how I want to get through life...

I'm just hoping that I can figure out what works to make some decent money and quit working my job. They don't treat us the best over there and I work 12 days on 2 days off. Every week. I've had 4 days off a month for over a year and it's really getting to me now. Right when I was about to quit they promoted me to a pay that I can't just go get anywhere with my experience. I wanted to give them a year so I could build my resume, and during that time I was making the kind of money I could have gotten anywhere. About a week before I was going to start interviews elsewhere they told me I had advanced and gave me a 30% raise...figures.

I need about $50k/year to feel comfortable. I make about $40k at work and want to get close to the $10k mark doing side work. but considering I only have 4 days a month that means I need to make $200 a day on the days I don't work my regular job. So really...if I ever want a day OFF... I need to work after I get off work. It's no way to go through life but maybe someday I'll get ahead.

Sorry for rambling...Just woke up off the couch and am trying to get my own head around the situation I've found myself in.

[CTSSolutions]

Well anyways...here's what I sold (that I remembered to write down)

Hoffman bike $30
Box of records $10
Shoes $8
Paint sprayer $5
Cowboys clock $3
Lawn chair $2
Box of matchbox cars + nike boots $25
Motorcycle jack $20
Sewer snake $15
Bass Cannon subwoofers $15
Jeff Gordan stuff $3
Ceiling fan $30
Kids swing + Chair + electric heater $30
Faucet $10
MJ Basketball $5
50lb Dumbbells $25
Inflatable pool + flappin flamingo $10
cowboys plaque $1
Aluminum 6' ladder $7
Table + umbrella $10
Chair $1
Jar set $5
Trinket $1
Chinese hand balls $3
Pair of metal shelves $25
Weight bench $30
Box of Michael Jordan stuff $20
Hockey Stick $5
Hot Wheels - missing battery $FREE
Baskets $FREE
Jar set $FREE
Other random junk $FREE

And I'm sure a bunch of stuff I don't remember selling. Flea markets are weird. Most vendors don't talk to buyers. Seems like they're trying to let their products "sell themselves". I think they have it in their head that it's not just a bunch of junk. Not me...I was selling hard. I hardly sat down. I greeted everyone as they walked past and pushed sales. Sometimes I was even too pushy but really I don't care... When I felt myself get too pushy I would push harder just so they smiled as they walked away. I wanted to have one of everything that someone wanted.

I went there with a FULL truck and FULL car.

I left with a dryer, a table, a receiver, 2 bird cages (will donate to local pet pantry), brand new speakers, dvd player, camera...and that's about it. I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff but I was there to move stuff..not get rich. I have to pay to go to the dump and I can't burn where I live. I'd rather give it away than haul it around and pay to dump it.

Made $350ish on a $10 investment + my time. Some would call that a home run, I call that just another day. I need to get on a bigger scale. I value my time greatly because of how many hours I work at my day job. I know scrapping/hauling isn't going to make me rich but I hope that it opens my eyes and allows me to walk through doors that lead me to quitting my day job and making enough on my own that I can pay the bills and not work on days I don't want to work.