re evaluating my venture back into scrapping.

**EcoSafe** · 09-25-2011, 02:32 PM

One of the things about getting old is, that we dont think of our selves as old, or weak. we still mentaly picture ourselves as that 35/40 guy that can still hook up that 400 lb toung weight trailer by ourselves, we can still tear down that old mobile home, and seperate it with little or no help. the sad reality is we cant.

I was trying to concentrate on computers and buying premium scrap from other scrappers, but a friend of mine says he has a trailer frame we can have it has just a little of the upper structure remaining but the floor is rotten and we should be able to breeze through it in a day or two.

so we went to the property and started. 2 work days later, it is still only half done, and we now have 3 more to do, from people driving by and seeing us at work, they will not be as easy. there is not enough money in trailers to hire a crew since these days copper and Alu dissapear from abandon mobile home in days here.

local scrappers wont sell to me because I require ID and tag # and, I handle thieves and tweekers in the old school way, so the word has gotten arround. and I refuse to compromise on morality in business. since I opened my scrap depot 2 others in the area have opned and they are not particular what or whom they buy from. in fact one of them bought the 50lb of #1 cp stolen from me last month from the KNOWN thief/tweeker who stole it.

I am on the phone constantly with potential sources of computer scrap but just cant seem to get them motivated to sell. the local "lagit" yards are buying them for .09 a LB and I cant get their attention even at $5 a unit. they say it is not worth the trouble to sort them out of the scrap pile.

I have to have a partner because of transportation problems.

Any and all suggestion are welcome.

**Mechanic688** · 09-25-2011, 03:53 PM

Olddude, did you miss my post on your problem, if so here it is again,

You might try describing what you need for an "employee" with just a phone # to start with on an index card, and put it up at the scale or cashiers window at the yard you frequent. You'll get a ton of calls, but if your a good judge of character you'll be able to weed out the B.S. artists. If you get someone you can really trust then you make them a partner. (Like C.S. did)

**Dumpster-Dee** · 09-25-2011, 03:57 PM

OD...If we had to pay you for all the advice and tips we've received from you on this board, you would be a wealthy man. Your work ethic comes through in your posts and your generousity is priceless. Your honesty is so refreshing and your loyalty has been admired by several others on this forum. I'm still a little confused about why you want a PARTNER instead of a loyal employee....but I'm sure you have good reasons and I just don't "get it" yet. I know that my past ("officially retired DOMITRIX" for newbs) bothers you...but if you would just get rid of that old wife and marry me then all your problems would be solved. Attitude might jump in and say she'll get rid of her husband for you, and a few others will come out of the woodwork....but just remember...I HAVE FIRST DIBS !! Seriously olddude....we can't pay you what you're worth, but dammit....you are irreplaceable and .......oh, shoot...I'll say it.....no, I can't say it on a forum !!.....ok, ok....you're.....LOVED !!

**submarinepainter** · 09-25-2011, 04:23 PM

in my very short time here I have grown to appreciate your posts , thank you !

**EcoSafe** · 09-25-2011, 04:49 PM

thank you for your posts. as you probably surmize, im not one to give up easily. I just have to figgure a way to maximise what I do have and minamise what I don't.

currently I am not producing enough to pay an employee a livable wage. I could claim the 4 trailers for my self and do so but I refuse to screw the guy who told me about them. he is helping scrap them but he is not any better shape then I am,

Im not looking for sympothy or praise, Im looking for Ideas !

p.s. hey D any time just let me know .

**gustavus** · 09-25-2011, 05:32 PM

olddude: Buy a battery capable scale with a usb port, make up or have someone make you a spread sheet to feed your scale data into - bingo you have a total to pay out without playing all day long with numbers.

You may even be able to find some open source POS ( Point of Sale ) software that will do the job for you.

People can not relate to your $5.00 offer whereas they can at $0.09 cents a pound. Put your laptop and scale to work.

**ComputerScrapper** · 09-25-2011, 06:12 PM

When I started out with my current partner he was on a different kind of payscale. He knew right from the start that he was only getting paid when I did. Now because I brought him in I was able to get more done and the money was coming in much faster and he was getting paid on a regular basis. Honestly he was not getting much less than me in most cases. I was taking the loads and splitting the money 3 ways at that point. 1 piece for the business, 1 for him and 1 for me. The money I was putting into the business was being used for fuel, tools and so on.
It was not long that I figured out that Chris was the right person to be in business with because he worked hard and was willing to do so with non-guaranteed cash.

Right now there are a lot of people that are unemployed and they may be looking to supplement their unemployment checks so you may be lucky and find someone that is willing to jump in there and do the work for what you can offer.

**PartTimeScrapper** · 09-25-2011, 10:00 PM

Yeah I would get a scale and show them at $5 a unit your paying more then $.10 a pound. Most units weigh 20 to 25 pounds tops less your talking a server. Hell offer them $20 cents a pound they still might not want to seperate them from there shred pile but like a good man once said. You cant fix stupid.