Update

While I have been around as a moderator, I have been scarce as a poster. I thought I would take a few minutes to detail what I have been going through over the last two years.

But before I do that I want to say HEY! You guys are great. I learned a whole bunch here. I made some friends and business partners as well.

So here it goes. Almost 2 years ago (September I think) I ended up with a very unreasonable boss at what was a great place to work. He was thrown into his position and he hated it and therefore he took it out on us. I quit. I gave my 2 weeks notice and let the powers that be know for a fact that he was the reason. They offered to try and fix it, but it was too little too late. They had invested too much in this guy and he was the best buddy of the HR guy.

Enough of that.

I went full bore computer recycling. I used every little thing that I had learned here and took that and kept running with it.

I started Computer Recycling

I did everything possible for a new business. I joined the county chamber, I joined a local "one of" networking group and I built my website from scratch including doing my own SEO (Search Engine Optimization).

From there I purchased a hard drive crusher and I advertised free pick up and on sight data destruction when we recycle your computer.

My hard drive crusher is a simple leverage crusher, but it looks professional and does the job.

Let me tell you one simple fact. You will not get businesses unless you offer that service. While on that subject, businesses typically cycle through their computers over a three year period. They have the best "above scrap value" that you will find, so offering this service WILL get you in the door.

So how has it worked out? I have added a portable storage unit on the side of the garage, several forms of outside storage and a small warehouse.

My website generates 2 to 3 calls a week and the other networking does as well or better.

I move my scrap material through Urban erecycling in Tampa. I also move some material straight to a refiner. The final nail in the coffin is testing and reselling of good items. Ebay and craigslist round it out.

I listed some tested RAM last week on Craigslist and I now have 3 more computer repair guys that are supplying me with material.

Take this info for what it is worth. It is my experience and I will answer any questions from anyone.

Congrats on the business expansion. So I expect you charge for the hd destruction are you comfortable discussing pricing? I will NOT be offended if you choose not to share that bit of info. 73, Mike

Congrats to you parrothead, great to hear the upward trend. I would be interested also, if you don't mind. Maybe in a closed forum even. I have been shooting for the same lines that you have worked on and I am coming up short. Maybe even a picture of your "portable HD crusher" if you will. Business computers is the way to go. I have a bank that shoots me about 20 business class HP's every 6 months and they do very well considering they are 3 years old, but they are still better than most current "retail" buys.

All the free marketing that I can do, along with the cold calls and the networking hasn't helped so maybe on-site destruction would, just don't know where to start with the set-up of equipment.

Also, I see you reference HIPAA on your website, I am also HIPAA cert in awareness and security but it has not helped but I am working on setting up contracts for that section of business.

The hard drive crushing is free. Keeping people's data secure really is the crux of getting their business. I will do whatever they want with the hard drive. If they are not sure I offer to remove it on sight and give it to them for storage.

Portable shredder would be next on my list, but that is really pricey. That shady guy in Tampa is also a Met's fan. He goes against my Cubbies.

Originally Posted by mthomasdev

Are you paying for computers? Or does the destruction offset that?

I rarely pay businesses for computers when destroying their hard drives. In fact there is only one business left that I do pay anything for computers. It is one of my first ever regular customers and I basically toss them some cash for their slush fund or pizza party money that equates to about $2 each for full towers and servers. There is usually lots of other stuff in the load as well. Things like UPS backups and boxes of cables. That is a place that cycles through all of their computers over a 3 year period. Replacing a chunk of that total every 6 months.

I do have a vast network of computer repair shops. Some are more than happy to give me what they have and others I pay for material. Either way, I am more than happy to crush their drives for free. It takes me a few seconds per drive to get that material that I may not have gotten my hands on. The crusher is long since paid for and is pretty much indestructible.

Here is the link to the crusher. It is cheaper than when I bought it. Anyone with a welder could easily duplicate it's function.
Pure Leverage - Hard Drive Crusher

Recently built a similar crusher welded onto a hand truck. I mighta overbuilt it a little...but it works good.