Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
I have decided to open a used appliance store.
My friend has an empty store in a strip mall and we both know a journeyman appliance tech with a gas ticket that is looking for work.
I usually get around 40-60 appliances a month mostly working because folks are upgrading to new ones.
More details to follow as soon as more details are worked out.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
After refurbishing a machine would give a 6 month unconditional warranty, fortunately I never had to replace any of my machines. Yes the warranty was by replacement not money back but you may have to check with local laws on that one.Originally Posted by bullion
I did once sell a dryer that the buyer called me up on, the dryer did not work when they got it home so when I went to their house first thing I checked was the circuit breaker often a 220 volt breaker will only trip one side of the breaker which is difficult to notice because the breaker is siamesedso I reset the breaker then tested for power at the outlet. The dryer still not working, told the owner of the house that I would like to check inside the breaker panel.
What I discovered was the house had been wired with aluminium, one side had burnt away from the breaker terminal.Informed the owner that aluminum wiring was dangerous and that it should be replaced with copper as his insurance company would probably wriggle out if a claim were submitted from a resulting fire.
His wife was really angry with her husband as her dryer lay out on the sun deck in pieces where he had dissembled it looking for the problem.,
On dryers and washing machines the bearings used on the motors are made from an oilight bronze bushing impregnated with oil, the bushing has a felt surrounding it this felt is a resivour for oil over the years lint escaping from the dryer will collect around the shaft of the motor wicking out the oil from both felt and bushing.
I completely remove the motor taking it outdoors then blow out any lint from inside and outside before adding new oil into the wick, sometimes it pays to gently heat the motor shaft which encourages the oil to enter the porous oilite bushing and the felt wick.
Get yourself a meger this instrument will let you check out the integrity of the insulation used on the motor windings, an amp meter clamped onto a split power cord during motor start up will inform you if the motor exceeds start up amperage, all the information is generally included on the manufactures tag attached to the motor.
I always kept some machines in inventory that had blemishes etc, for folks not having enough funds to purchase something pretty.
Most repairman will not fix a freezer, the high side usually has pin holes rusted into the metal tubing that lays on the inside bottom and walls of the freezer out of view, When the freezer is running if you slowly pass your hand from top to bottom on the front of the freezer you will feel places that range from warm to hot to the touch this is where the high side tubing is attached to the inside walls.
This tubing is also placed on the most bottom part of the flooring between the freezer inside cabinet and the insulation, it's the tubing on the bottom that rots out, you can salvage a freezer by retrofitting a high side coil from an old fridge externally onto the back of the freezer, your technician will know how to perform this work.
IMHO having the high side coil internally is cosmetic and does nothing to save on electricity as the freezer has to work overtime. Ninety percent of commercial applications have the condenser installed outside or use a water cooled coil inside the building. We domestic folks get screwed over.
I always asked if the customer had a trade in, offering a discount on their purchase if they had. The offer can be one made in cash or as a service for delivery or scrap removal. You will over time learn how to read your customers. Treat them well and you'll be surprised how far word of mouth advertising goes.
My back yard appliance repair business ended up with me doing in house service calls.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oilite
Last edited by alloy2; 01-25-2016 at 03:46 AM.
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I remember a fellow that raised a family on servicing and selling cheap used appliances in a small town/s environment. Had a small storefront in a smaller town that no one wanted to rent (so rent was cheap) Most appliances were from free and cheap. He sold most for $100. or less. Didn't get real rich but raised that family real comfortably. Usually just ran a small ad in the local free paper.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
Refrigeration repair for RV's, I thought about doing this as it is very specialised type of work having big profits.
If you have a shop locally that does this type of repair often they will purchase the cooling unit as pictured below an easy $50.00 to $100.00 depending on size.
This type of refrigeration uses water and ammonia, the ammonia has an affinity for water when mixed this solution resides in a reservoir near the bottom of the unit when heated the ammonia is driven off as a gas. In this phase it seeks out water passing through the cooling coils on its journey.
Once the ammonia gas has been reunited with the water the cycle is repeated until the desired cooling temperature has been reached, a thermostat shuts off the heat source.
Often when an RV reintegration unit has sat for long periods of time the ammonia may separate on its own accord from the water to settle out near the top of the unit as a gas cloud unable to make its return to the water, The owner finding the fridge not working has two choices, have it repaired or buy a new replacement or one that has been refurbished.
If there is no ammonia smell chances are that a simple fix can be made, by removing the fridge from its location then gently turning it upside down is enough to reunite the ammonia with the water making the fridge once again operable.
Long before RV fridges came onto the scene there were domestic fridges that operated via a small kerosene lamp, same type of operation ammonia and water with a source of heat same as the RV fridge we know today.
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Don't quote me but I think the Amish use some variation of this being they don't usually use electric in their homes.Refrigeration repair for RV's, I thought about doing this as it is very specialised type of work having big profits.
If you have a shop locally that does this type of repair often they will purchase the cooling unit as pictured below an easy $50.00 to $100.00 depending on size.
This type of refrigeration uses water and ammonia, the ammonia has an affinity for water when mixed this solution resides in a reservoir near the bottom of the unit when heated the ammonia is driven off as a gas. In this phase it seeks out water passing through the cooling coils on its journey.
Once the ammonia gas has been reunited with the water the cycle is repeated until the desired cooling temperature has been reached, a thermostat shuts off the heat source.
Often when an RV reintegration unit has sat for long periods of time the ammonia may separate on its own accord from the water to settle out near the top of the unit as a gas cloud unable to make its return to the water, The owner finding the fridge not working has two choices, have it repaired or buy a new replacement or one that has been refurbished.
If there is no ammonia smell chances are that a simple fix can be made, by removing the fridge from its location then gently turning it upside down is enough to reunite the ammonia with the water making the fridge once again operable.
Long before RV fridges came onto the scene there were domestic fridges that operated via a small kerosene lamp, same type of operation ammonia and water with a source of heat same as the RV fridge we know today.
P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.
I mentioned this in another thread: One of my friends here in town does mobile repair for washers and dryers ONLY. His service vehicle is a nice full sized 1/2 ton pu with 6 heavy duty totes that are locked into the bed. The totes hold his spare parts and tools. He seems to make a very good living doing this.
My point is it can be done simply with very little in inventory.
Good luck with your business. Mike
"Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}
Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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I don't want to rain on your parade, but I see a couple of issues with a retail outlet. First, you or an employee are going to have to be present at the store, even if no one is walking through the door. This is going to take away time from other activities. Another issue is the overhead. The rent, utilities and insurance still have to be paid, regardless of your sales volume.
I've been there with a retail outlet in my flooring business. In the end, sales didn't justify the time and expense. I ended up focusing on the installation side of the business. Material sales are now just a nice bonus.
All this said, I think used appliance sales would be a great business. Landlords especially are great customers. Most people looking for used appliances will go online. You can get the exposure you need through Kijiji, Craig's List, Facebook, etc. Keep your inventory in your garage or a shed. Your appliance guy can still service the machines there.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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I look at the other side of the token. I think it is a waste of time. Realistically your looking max 100 for a machine at least where i am. I see front loaders that were 1000 new sell here for max 200. But yet you part out the machine and you can make triple that. Same front loader machine that sells for 250 around here, will part out online for 500+. It is far easier to strip a machine and sell the parts than fix it and resell. So lets say you got machine free or maybe 20 bucks. You invest 50 in parts to fix basing the fact it needs a motor. That leaves 30 dollar profit. Now thats ok, but I think its easier to take 10 mins to strip the machine and then list it online and sell the parts.
Front ladders are great. If all electronics are good, then you talking upwards of 300 for the brains. Some of the frotn loaders have 1 brain that runs everything. Others have a brain, then the board to run the motor, and the the control panel. Then weird things sell like the spider and bearing assemblies, the counter weights, and even the door sells for a 100 sometimes.
That's my 2c. After your overhead and what not, I dont think its worth the time.
On a good run with 10 appliances i have made 1500 in parts conservatively versus dealing with people haggling and trying to get the machine cheap. Tehn whining about scratches or a slight bearing noise. On and on.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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Also note whole machines move slower than parts. But if you can sell machines 50-60 then you will move a whole real quicvk. People are cheap and dotn want to spend money unless they have too. Hence why parts move quicker. Tehy rather spend 40 to fix theirs than 75-100 for a refurbished machine.
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I don't know what the cost of overhead is, but if you can keep it low, you'll do great! The old building that I rented wasn't much to look at, but it was less than $400 per month, and would have had plenty of room to sell appliances out of. If you can deliver, you'll have a huge leg up- a $1000 truck may be the best investment you can make if you don't have one.
Even in our little town of 10,000, the only used appliance store did very, very well.
You'll also have a lot of trade-ins. When our old dryer would die, we'd take it back to the guy who sold it to us, and get a little credit towards another. You can have a nice supply of appliances to repair just through that channel.
More than Scrap Value Shipment Tips: http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/scrap...tml#post242349
Experienced Scrapper
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Best of luck! There is a used appliance business near me and they do very well. There's a big market for them near rental buildings.
One man's trash is another man's treasure
One of the things I am taking from some of the advise is you may need to get out of the store and make sales calls on rental managers. These could be a good source for both acquiring and selling appliances. Some rentals supply washers and dryers and some don't. Mike
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
Thanks for all the support.
Checked out a possible store location today-in the same strip mall as a convenience store. (next door)
Landlord is actually a customer of mine, rent is good can get on a month by month basis.
Building has 110v and 220v power inside as well as gas going into the store.
Washer/dryer hookup inside the building so I can test all the laundry equipment.
I already have property management companies and real estate companies as customers as well as several contractors.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
We all wish you the best, curious why you never give thanks.
You've been a member since Feb 2014, you have received 126 thanks and never given any. kinda makes me feel like a second class citizen.
Last edited by alloy2; 01-26-2016 at 01:27 AM.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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The other option is to open a laundromat..... Fix and sell from there.
You'd be the first call with tourists and new arrivals and people who's washing MC/drier just broke down.
Even if they cannot afford to buy one yet, you can make a provisional sale and still get paid for the wash/dry service as they need it all done NOW!
You get to test your machines with a 'real life' useage, they can see that they run and more of your time is productive.
Just a idea, laundromats make good ca$h money, but you spend a bit of time fixing machines.. So get paid twice for the same job.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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Good idea. Things to consider:
Is there a need for this type of service in the area?
How is the visibility, accessibility?
Things to remember:
Advertising - If nobody knows what you sell, nobody will buy from you
If nobody can find you, nobody will buy from you
People will remember the experience or service, good or bad, can make or break the business
Treat your customers fairly
So... Good marketing, good advertising, good customer service..
And most importantly - Without customers, there is no business...
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
I actually have no idea how to give thanks. If someone could tell me how to do it-I will do it.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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To thank someone simply click the "thumb's up" bellow the comment.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
Should he decide to set up a laundromat it would be a good idea to have a few machines set aside for horse and dog blankets.
Years ago speed queen used to be the preferred washing machine, the agitator was recessed into the tub, coins going under were not easily retrieved.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
Oh no to the laundromat that is a huge expense and in 6 years of recycling I have never dealt with commercial laundry equipment.
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