Ewaste Buying from Stores - Page 2

Originally Posted by JnJunk

Thanks Mechanic Ill have to look into that. I'm still trying to pull together my rough numbers. I understand somewhat Ewaste as scrap, but as resale is still way above my head.

Figure it as scrap but if you get some resale then there is your "gravy" on the taters.

"MR. Arrogance"........I LOVE IT!!!!!

Originally Posted by HipoGear

Beware of the arrogance of some of these guys. I stopped in to my first repair shop today. I introduced myself and told the guy I was just getting started. His response was that he just couldn't give me the stuff and asked what I was willing to pay. I told him I would pay $1 to $3 per tower depending on its age.

He chuffed at me. Then I had to listen to him spew all his knowledge and experience for the next 10 minutes.

He said he was refining all his scrap for about 5 years until the prices of metals went down. He said he had a pole barn with about 30 ton of eWaste and had worked through about half of it. I asked if he would be more interested in selling by weight. He said maybe, but you'd have to take all 15 ton. Then asked me if I had a floor scale, if I was certified, yada yada yada. Again basically just imparting his vast knowledge and telling me how I will never make a go of it.

WTF is wrong with some of these people? He knows he is sitting on a mountain of, in his mind, unprofitable electronics. Yet he has no desire to pass it along at a fair price.

I think part of the problem is that I'm a woman, and I was able to go toe to toe with him on facts. Sheessh!

I think you did well. This is really the sales part of the business you are getting into. It sounds like you left the door open to the possibility of doing business with him. He is a jerk with material. Is there really 15 tons?? Doubtful but you never know. Stop by from time to time and make certain you leave a business card so he knows you are really in business. Don't fret over what you need to offer on 15 tons of material, make him tell you what he wants per pd/ton.

Here is a sales technique you need to learn now. Its the one who speaks first looses. Few people can stand up to silence. So if you say to him "I need to confirm what you have before going further. What is the price you would accept on your material?" Then stand there and wait. This technique is very difficult for some. Some get very uncomfortable quickly filling the empty space giving the client an easy way to defer the question back to you.

You can practice this technique on those who you love, children, husband, wife, parents, you get what I mean.

When making a sale call practice the following:
My name is _________
My company's name is ________
We recycle computers and other similar material(make up your own explanation of your business)
The reason I am here today is _______(I used to use "to determine if we should be doing business) This is the most important point to make. It shows respect for the person you are talking and their time. You get right to the point with out doing any of the sneaky salesman tricks.

I have a few clients that I deal with now so my pricing is simple S.W.A.G. (scientific wild a$$ guess) because of my experience.

The next thing I will pass onto you is its difficult to reduce prices. Many of the members who have doing this for a while will have experienced the trouble of lower prices with long term clients. I started this business getting $4+/lb for small and large motherboards. Now I get $1.55/lb for mobo and instead of $0.12/lb for shred now I get $0.06/lb. I just had to tell one of my long time clients that I was again cutting the price and he was not happy.

Like every thing else experience and hard work will get you where you want to be. Let us know if the 15 tons ever shows up as being real. Best of luck Mike

Arrogance in this business- Yep.. Mouthfulls!
Around here.. $ talks. Period!
Had a guy ask me what I'd pay for something.. Told him "I weigh and pay"
I bring a scale. Do I look like a weirdo? Maybe.. but I invested in a nice scale that is dead on the weights when I ship.. so If I buy 14.25 lbs at the buyer.. that is what I get at the seller.
A lot of people are impressed with the scale.. they know I mean business and a stack of cash to pay on the spot doesn't hurt your case either! I have landed numerous clients just on the fact they don't get jerked around for weeks or months trying to get paid. One of my biggest regulars used to sell to a guy that didn't have the cash to buy the stuff- he would ship it off or turn it where he does and then cut them a check 3 weeks later!! They were getting tired of that game but felt stuck that they had no alternative until I send a "cold call" email!

Junk you made the biggest step just approaching the shop and getting the experience , kind of like asking that pretty girl out . Sometimes it's intimidating but after a few rejections and a few sealed deals you will know what to do and what to say . Good luck you have been given some solid advice in this thread . I hope you continued success !

Originally Posted by sledge

Arrogance in this business- Yep.. Mouthfulls!
Around here.. $ talks. Period!
Had a guy ask me what I'd pay for something.. Told him "I weigh and pay"
I bring a scale. Do I look like a weirdo? Maybe.. but I invested in a nice scale that is dead on the weights when I ship.. so If I buy 14.25 lbs at the buyer.. that is what I get at the seller.
A lot of people are impressed with the scale.. they know I mean business and a stack of cash to pay on the spot doesn't hurt your case either! I have landed numerous clients just on the fact they don't get jerked around for weeks or months trying to get paid. One of my biggest regulars used to sell to a guy that didn't have the cash to buy the stuff- he would ship it off or turn it where he does and then cut them a check 3 weeks later!! They were getting tired of that game but felt stuck that they had no alternative until I send a "cold call" email!

Well said!
I also buy by weight, at least with most of my larger more serious clients. I also invested in a nice portable scale, and many times clients are impressed by that. Since I buy by weight and sell by weight, there is no guessing. For some smaller clients that have a bunch of unsorted material, I quote one lot price for everything. I have enough experience to see in minute or so what to offer. In the end it all depends on what the client wants.

Always having enough cash in the pocket is also important. I take at least 2-3 times what I think I will need. Last time I was told by one of my clients that they have about 400 lbs of motherboards, turned out that it was closer to 800 lbs, plus they had about 80 lbs of RAM and a few other items. I didn’t have enough cash to get the RAM, had to go back the next day, fortunately they were OK with that.

I came across an IT guy like many that we speak of. I told him I would match competition in town on all scrap prices and he wanted higher prices.

Example: RAM, local price $8/lb. I said $9, nope, um (I wanted to see how high this clown wanted to go)... Um, how about $11, not even close, oh ok...how about $17...he said nice try...try $25/lb. oh, um how much you got, 7lbs and your son mentioned you used a can of air to dust them off. Let me go out to my car and get you a check...be right back...

He even took power supply apart to vacuum dust out to get better pricing. Don't forgot your white gloves to appease Mr. Arrogance!

Originally Posted by DFM92

Mechanic688, Would you happen to have a sample of the "full list" you would provide customers?

I will definitely be scheduling a few visits with computer repair shops and would love to have an idea for whole unit prices!

I haven't updated it in awhile, I'll try to later tonite and post it here..

Dwaggs; It depends on the situation and if I'm doing the calling on them. Not too many come to me as I don't have a storefront.

I also buy from a scrap yard and since the huge drop in shred and ewaste prices I had to cut what I pay. When I talked to my yard owner he was not surprised and was open to me buying what he had on hand. This could change if someone else offers more but I am a long term buyer and can wait them out.

You can go back with a new offer or just go back and see if he changed his mind or counters your offer. Good luck, Mike

Originally Posted by JnJunk

Is 15 cents in the ball park for you Mike, i felt like that was a fair number but maybe im low.

I have now gone from a per piece price (3, 4, 5, a unit) to .15 a lb also. One reason was people pulling the ram and cpu/heatsink and I was still paying the full price cause the cover was all screwed down and no sign of molesting. Now if they remove items, then they have removed weight so I'll be paying less. .15 would be the max I'd pay right now.