What to say to a potential client

So, from time to time I check on facebook and message/like pages near me in all types of industries that can use my services. Today, I did some computer repair shops.

I had a guy message me, and asked me what I proposed to him.

Not sure what to say. I know when it comes to ewaste recycling most people want money since they know that even the junk/non working stuff is working money, but I am the kind of person that doesn't pay unless I absolutely need to. It would be one thing if prices NEVER changed and always the same, but even with ewaste recycling, the prices DO CHANGE!

I have seen tons of members on here talk about a simple swap of good working computers/parts for their non working crap. Only issue is that I have no idea if anything in my possession works or does not work. I separate it all, and most stuff looks like it would work great to me, but I cannot willingly say it does, and in fact it might not.

So, with all that said, how should I approach this?

I am looking to make 2013 as profitable as I can for VIP Recycling

IDK if this would be a good idea, but this is what I would do. I would give him a really low continual price (Low ball him), then y'all negotiate until you can find a low price that suits him and you, and can cover costs if the price goes low. That way, if prices go up, you make more profit. If prices go below what you are paying him, you have a buffer of money from when the price was up to cover your costs until prices go up again. Just my $.02.

Thanks everyone. I know of a few key points to bring to his attention that probably no one else offers that he might already be dealing with. I am also familiar with the standard $5/tower and less if it is not complete etc.

We shall see how it goes, and will keep everyone informed.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Most shops that I have spoken to already have a buyer they sell to. The key is to know what the prices in your area are. If they are selling to a yard most likely they are gettig alot less than what our buyers pay us. If thats the case then you should be able to offer them 20% more than what they currentley are getting and still make a nice profit when selling to a buyer here. I am starting to get a few scrappers in my area that were getting $1# for boards. Now they get $1.50 from me

Originally Posted by BRASSCATCHER

Most shops that I have spoken to already have a buyer they sell to. The key is to know what the prices in your area are. If they are selling to a yard most likely they are gettig alot less than what our buyers pay us. If thats the case then you should be able to offer them 20% more than what they currentley are getting and still make a nice profit when selling to a buyer here. I am starting to get a few scrappers in my area that were getting $1# for boards. Now they get $1.50 from me

Well I already know that they all pay way to LOW around here. The biggest "buyer" here pays so low it is ridiculous. I took some stuff to them once and I got $93 for everything, when if I sent it all into ewasted for instance, I would have gotten over $100 just on motherboards.

There is another buyer right down the street that only pays $1 per board...not even per lb, but per board!

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Well I already know that they all pay way to LOW around here. The biggest "buyer" here pays so low it is ridiculous. I took some stuff to them once and I got $93 for everything, when if I sent it all into ewasted for instance, I would have gotten over $100 just on motherboards.

There is another buyer right down the street that only pays $1 per board...not even per lb, but per lb!

Well than what are you waiting for? Use your investment know how from running your investment company. Take every dollar you have and pay $2 a pound for motherboards. Send tham all to one of us buyers and make 50 to 75% on your investment. Sounds like a no brainer to me.

Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper

Well than what are you waiting for? Use your investment know how from running your investment company. Take every dollar you have and pay $2 a pound for motherboards. Send tham all to one of us buyers and make 50 to 75% on your investment. Sounds like a no brainer to me.

I am slowly taking away from the scrap yards, but have to watch my step. Don't want any of them catching on, as most I do business with myself, and cannot afford to burn any bridges.

Within the next 3 to 5 months, I plan to be doing a lot of ewaste business.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

I am slowly taking away from the scrap yards, but have to watch my step. Don't want any of them catching on, as most I do business with myself, and cannot afford to burn any bridges.

Within the next 3 to 5 months, I plan to be doing a lot of ewaste business.

Instead of worrying about keeping it quiet from the yards offer to buy their ewaste............If they are paying so low then you should easily be able to pay enough for them to turn a profit

Originally Posted by mikeinreco

Instead of worrying about keeping it quiet from the yards offer to buy their ewaste............If they are paying so low then you should easily be able to pay enough for them to turn a profit

The yards around me pay that low and sell to a buyer that has been mentioned on this site that pays pretty much normal prices. That's for telecom, ram CPU, MB, HD boards and any lower grade boards in the .10-.40# range.

I offer anyone that will listen to me more but most never call.

Eric

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Thanks everyone. I know of a few key points to bring to his attention that probably no one else offers that he might already be dealing with. I am also familiar with the standard $5/tower and less if it is not complete etc.

We shall see how it goes, and will keep everyone informed.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Lots of good info here for you GeorgeB and I'll be watch'n to see how this plays out for you too buddy. Oh and don't forget the main portion of all this should be your sincere, powerful, radiant, honest and smiling self. A great personality pulls peeps towards you in life, no matter what your "pitch" or modus operandi happens to be, my young scrapp'n friend. lb

Its like I've mentioned before, and some members here frowned, one of the best places to buy computers is when waiting in line at THE YARD. Here in Cornwall they pay $.29 cents a pound. I offer 5$ a tower and snatch them up. I know, I'm bad...

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Its like I've mentioned before, and some members here frowned, one of the best places to buy computers is when waiting in line at THE YARD. Here in Cornwall they pay $.29 cents a pound. I offer 5$ a tower and snatch them up. I know, I'm bad...

If we're caught soliciting customers on my yards property then we have a chance of being banned from the yard.

I don't have any updates as of YET on the guy who messaged me, BUT I do have an update on another potential customer.

A computer consulting firm that I also messaged, a lady from there called me today while I was out doing some last minute Christmas shopping. My cell was 2 minutes from dying, so I decided to let it go to voicemail ONLY so I wouldn't answer and hang up on the lady.

I called back and left her a VM as she stepped out for a moment.

Anyways, she tells me in the voicemail that they have a bunch of computers that they have been wanting to get rid of etc. Since I haven't spoken to her yet, I don't know if they are expecting $$$ for any of it or not, BUT they are just like another Computer Consulting client that I also have in Manassas, and since they get paid from their clients to dispose of the stuff, they like individuals/companies that will pickup and dispose for FREE!

I am hoping that is how this one will turn out, because my last consulting firm, when I told them I would pick it all up for FREE, the President was really EXCITED and asked how soon I could come! lol

Will keep everyone posted.