Gray area rule part 2

**Copper Head** · 02-04-2012, 10:07 AM

I want to ask a question about dumpsters
Is it possible that in certain cases like with copper wire . Since the value is so high, the trash company excepts the mixing of sheet rock ceiling tiles and some other stuff to make it hard to swipe from container?
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I am just trying to figure out what i saw . Maybe that was just there way of theft prevention.
Has any one else ever seen that type of tactic.
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A No trespassing sign from a hardware store . Or metal only stops most to all thefts.Unless your a real hard core thief & thats a different breed
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**Dumpster-Dee** · 02-04-2012, 10:13 AM

I think he means you're beating a dead horse, C. H. BTW, There's an old thread in which we beat this horse mercilously also.

**Copper Head** · 02-04-2012, 10:31 AM

Still I feel being a fast scraper has allot to being able to read the LAND so to speak, human behavior also. 3 days ago i drive by a kick a** pull wagon big tires some rust ,you see these type in tool magazines about $200 , garden centers use them also . It is sitting near the garbage pails not next to them , Was it used to just help with the garbage ? most people would think yes.
but i saw the truth . I asked the owner, I am glad was home,
he said take it, its out for trash. Of course if owner was not home I would not take it . It comes down to reading the land as to, is it worth stopping in the first place.

**wayne** · 02-04-2012, 10:38 AM

I think in this case it was builders who earn their money by working fast so they get onto the next job. They are not too interested in much else and don't always realise that a bit of wire here and there soon adds up. Shopfitters can be some of the worst for recycling and the best for scrappers. They have a fixed deadline, and they are always tight on time. They simply don't have the time to go through everything for what is to them a few cents of wire. If they over-run their deadline they often have financial penalties to pay, so no time is spent on stuff like scrapping.

As far as they see it, they could earn a few bucks with the wire, or lose thousands in penalties, and all because of an hour or two.

**MelRay** · 02-04-2012, 12:04 PM

To give you an example about dumpsters, I'll tell you a short story of an experience I had. When I first built my new garage I happened to pass by a motel that had a big dumpster dropped off in their parking lot. It was full of old dressers and vanities because they were remodeling. I stopped and went in to talk to the manager about them. He said I could have all I wanted as they were just trash. I made two trips and consequently end up with a bunch of finished wood to outfit my new garage. So I guess what I'm saying is, It never hurts to ask and doesn't always have to be metal.

**Copper Head** · 02-04-2012, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by MelRay

To give you an example about dumpsters, I'll tell you a short story of an experience I had. When I first built my new garage I happened to pass by a motel that had a big dumpster dropped off in their parking lot. It was full of old dressers and vanities because they were remodeling. I stopped and went in to talk to the manager about them. He said I could have all I wanted as they were just trash. I made two trips and consequently end up with a bunch of finished wood to outfit my new garage. So I guess what I'm saying is, It never hurts to ask and doesn't always have to be metal.

In this case i'll wonder cause i could have looked extra hard asked and maybe been given the green lite to all wire , the way i did was on the edge so I have some product.

**MelRay** · 02-04-2012, 01:38 PM

The way I go about taking something is...Do I feel like I'm stealing it??? If so... Time to ask.

**Copper Head** · 02-04-2012, 02:13 PM

There were no signs & I did not feel i was stealing BUT if cop drives by I feel he will inquire I still don't want that notoriety as then any time i'm near a dumpster might as well have a big red flag on my truck.

**MelRay** · 02-04-2012, 03:10 PM

I'm lucky. I come from a small town where the cops know me. I don't worry if they see me.

**Copper Head** · 02-08-2012, 09:56 AM

This morn I ask who was in charge I said i see you have metal only dumpsters so as a scraper I stay out of them but you have containers with a mix of garbage & wire .do you care if I PULL SOME OUT? he said I can't give you permission to go into a dumpster cause if you get hurt i am responsible But after hours as long as i am not here you can do what you want ,just not during the day well thats as good a yes as I'll get.

**Copper Head** · 02-14-2012, 09:44 PM

well i hit the container and saw a mix of coaxial and communication wire my gut instinct with coaxial is that most is not CU but since it's still at least tin price i took it any way i had no choice all tangled up well i filled the minivan felt heavy dragging the wire and i struggled to get in truck, I get a fridge in easer . So the weight is there . Then i figured lets just test the coax . BINGO - CU coax .

Gray area rule part 2

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