Given the market, why are the newest scrappers even bothering?

Originally Posted by ScrapperTrecycling

My answer would be no, I can't make it on scrapping. But the $$ isn't why I started so I may be an odd ball here. SHOCKER!

If I knew then what I know now, would I start scrapping in this crashed market? Yes, I would.
It's been such a weird and wonderful journey - so far away from the rat race that I used to live and breath.
Out there, all I had was money. My boss showered me in bonuses for being a good soldier. "Ole faithful" as she liked to call me.
When my legs were kicked out from underneath me, the physical pain was nothing compared to the mental anguish of feeling worthless.
I might have sat in that wheelchair, marinating in my own pity party, had scrapping not mysteriously landed in my lap.
It was like following a little trail of breadcrumbs. Each step, a small accomplishment...and OMG...you people! REAL PEOPLE!

My boss' daughter (and ex fellow employee) passed away in July of what they called "system fatigue." She died a very wealthy woman...and only 2 weeks shy of her 40th birthday.

So yeah, the money sucks. But I'm alive and happy. (and I can go to work in my pajamas )
@ eesakiwi - nailed it!

Wow! You get dressed to scrap. You must live in the city...

Originally Posted by SteelMill

Like so many before me have said, it's all about resale value.

I can spend 30 minutes fixing a fridge and make $75

The other day, I bought a 1999 Ford Ranger 4x4 for $300 not running. I stuck an alternator on it and sold it for 3500 yesterday.

If you're practical, mechanically minded, and have a little business sense along with some social skills, you can make it in this business. If you don't possess one of those qualities, then, in times like these, you may have to switch careers.



Let me go off to the side for a minute.

Social skills are everything in the world of business. Are you the type of person that everyone loves, or do you have an endless supply of "haters?" Do you have an abrasive personality or do people gravitate towards you? If you have good social skills, you will make it in most business endeavors.

You are so right. I don't know how many times striking up a conversation with complete strangers has led to a job doing something to help them. Another thing that is sometimes worth more than anything money can buy is when the person opens up and tells you some fascinating fact about their life. The fighting they saw in WWII, or the great save they made at a job, or a cherished time with their child on vacation, or just a moment of laughs. The best of times are the times spent sharing with others.

Originally Posted by SteelMill

It's a shame that we, as Americans, have become so sheltered and so babied that when something goes wrong with a piece, we throw it away, when it could be a perfectly good item, with a little bit of money and time.

I don't mind, throw it in my yard.

Originally Posted by matador

I have to completely agree. This spring, I picked up a project truck at auction. It was consigned by the county, after a mere 29 years of service. It drives very nicely, and so far is one of the best trucks that I've owned. I have two Gateway LCD screens in the processing center that date back to 2002. Thirteen years later, they still work great.

Both the truck and the monitors were thought to be worthless or obsolete to someone. That's the problem- we're too quick to assign that tag. In scrapping, the skill to determine what is and is not obsolete is the most important skill out there. If you know what to save from going to the yard, and resell it for more than scrap value, you'll do well. If you have those abilities and can do reasonably well in these markets, wait until the times get better. Now, you have an arsenal of skills that will earn you even more!

Picked a Toro mower from the trash and put gas in it. Started the second pull. I have someone coming to buy it for $100 this aft.

Being able to think outside the box is a skill that is being taught out of our kids in a school system designed to make good little minions who will be punctual and not complain as they work a monotonous life stamping widgets on a line. I love the fact that I do something different every day.