Starting things back up, nervous, excited, stressed, but smarter!

For those of you who don't know, about 5 years ago I had a pretty decent escrap operation going on. I started with TVs/CRTs. I would take any and all, and for a while, that's all I was doing. Literally hundreds of TVs a day. It was insane, frustrating, and often I didn't make money due to my over head and stupid working habits. (i.e not using power tools because I was a stubborn idiot).

After the market fell, I had to stop. I was already barely scraping by and that was the final nail in the coffin. I spent some time in the bottle, in court, and finally in jail....took 3 different charges and getting kicked out of where I was staying to get my head on right. Went to college, met a woman (dropped out of college....the woman was more fun. lmao) Ended up marrying that woman, adopted her daughter, then had a son of our own. He's turning 1 in 10 days! Cute little turd if I do say so myself. I moved 150 miles away from where I originally started scrapping, and now my little family bunks with my in laws.....ugh.

I work 2 part time seasonal retail jobs right now. Didn't really have too much of a plan, until I started going through my cell phone one day...



APPARENTLY their is an "inbox" on facebook, where filtered messages go that FB thinks are spam. WELLLLLLLLL, a friend that worked at the scrap yard I would go to all the time had reached out to me....about 3 years ago. Saying he has an opportunity for me, and I shouldn't pass it up. Short story long....

I'm going on a trip back to my home town in 2 days to meet up with him. He's agreed to finance my start up costs (renting 2-4 storage units, and making my first large escrap purchase), just to get me started.

The plan is for me to somewhat do what I use too. Hit up the donation based companies for their escrap and wires, and offer a better price than the scrap yards give them. The great thing is, where I live now, theirs virtually NO escrappers. So when I pull the trigger, I have to be discreet. No advertising, covering my loads when driving through town, etc. Last thing I need to do is have a bunch of tweakers with a pick up thinking they are scrappers now....kind of learned that the hard way last time.

Now this guy that is financing this, also has an interesting proposition. Due to the sensitivity of the buyer, I can't disclose the location. But my guy has a big rig and a flat bed. He will come to my location, pickup my full gaylords, bring them to said buyer, and we'll split the profit. (Working that part out at our meeting in 2 days). The prices (that have been verified) are amazing. WELL above anything I can find in my state. I'm talking 3-4 times higher. Only for escrap, unfortunately.

I spoke with my local scrap yards today, figuring out prices and making a game plan. Found a perfect buyer for my tin/alum/copper AND plastic. They're willing to pay more than a penny a pound for it, so i'm stoked.

My question to you guys:

Any other ideas, BESIDES advertising on CList, to acquire escrap that ISN'T TVs/CRTs?

Sorry for the long post. Nice to talk to yall.

Thanks all. Good too be back. That laptop that I was sent took a nose dive, but I was able to revive it. And boom, i'm back.

I'm stoked to get started. Darn near counting down the minutes.

And my Dad is doing ok....all things considered. He got arrested for some sticky green stuff....4 years of probation blah blah blah. Gotta love Idaho! They'll ruin the life of an old man, a vet at that, because of a plant. Smh.

Originally Posted by TheHoss

Thanks all. Good too be back. That laptop that I was sent took a nose dive, but I was able to revive it. And boom, i'm back.

I'm stoked to get started. Darn near counting down the minutes.

And my Dad is doing ok....all things considered. He got arrested for some sticky green stuff....4 years of probation blah blah blah. Gotta love Idaho! They'll ruin the life of an old man, a vet at that, because of a plant. Smh.

Here's a song for your dad...

Welcome back. I have tried all kinds of angles to aquire escrap. Around here people have all of it covered and figured out. There are auctions all the time selling escrap and other stuff. In have tried to bid on some of it but when a small container of old CPU's and monitors goes for $800 I just step back and stare. Recently saw a dumpster load of shred go for $300 bucks. Plain old 2 cents a pound shred. They have to be crazy to pay that much with no chance of profit. With prices so low I limit myself to picking up old appliances and scrap iron from three close by regulars who have been with me for years. I hoard copper one and two, motors, brass radiators, insulated wire and some aluminum. I do strip a lot of the wire. The place I sell to considers it to be number one copper calling it bare bright. Good luck on the escrap. Might be better in your area.

Originally Posted by TheHoss

For those of you who don't know, about 5 years ago I had a pretty decent escrap operation going on. I started with TVs/CRTs. I would take any and all, and for a while, that's all I was doing. Literally hundreds of TVs a day. It was insane, frustrating, and often I didn't make money due to my over head and stupid working habits. (i.e not using power tools because I was a stubborn idiot).

After the market fell, I had to stop. I was already barely scraping by and that was the final nail in the coffin. I spent some time in the bottle, in court, and finally in jail....took 3 different charges and getting kicked out of where I was staying to get my head on right. Went to college, met a woman (dropped out of college....the woman was more fun. lmao) Ended up marrying that woman, adopted her daughter, then had a son of our own. He's turning 1 in 10 days! Cute little turd if I do say so myself. I moved 150 miles away from where I originally started scrapping, and now my little family bunks with my in laws.....ugh.

I work 2 part time seasonal retail jobs right now. Didn't really have too much of a plan, until I started going through my cell phone one day...

APPARENTLY their is an "inbox" on facebook, where filtered messages go that FB thinks are spam. WELLLLLLLLL, a friend that worked at the scrap yard I would go to all the time had reached out to me....about 3 years ago. Saying he has an opportunity for me, and I shouldn't pass it up. Short story long....

I'm going on a trip back to my home town in 2 days to meet up with him. He's agreed to finance my start up costs (renting 2-4 storage units, and making my first large escrap purchase), just to get me started.

The plan is for me to somewhat do what I use too. Hit up the donation based companies for their escrap and wires, and offer a better price than the scrap yards give them. The great thing is, where I live now, theirs virtually NO escrappers. So when I pull the trigger, I have to be discreet. No advertising, covering my loads when driving through town, etc. Last thing I need to do is have a bunch of tweakers with a pick up thinking they are scrappers now....kind of learned that the hard way last time.

Now this guy that is financing this, also has an interesting proposition. Due to the sensitivity of the buyer, I can't disclose the location. But my guy has a big rig and a flat bed. He will come to my location, pickup my full gaylords, bring them to said buyer, and we'll split the profit. (Working that part out at our meeting in 2 days). The prices (that have been verified) are amazing. WELL above anything I can find in my state. I'm talking 3-4 times higher. Only for escrap, unfortunately.

I spoke with my local scrap yards today, figuring out prices and making a game plan. Found a perfect buyer for my tin/alum/copper AND plastic. They're willing to pay more than a penny a pound for it, so i'm stoked.

My question to you guys:

Any other ideas, BESIDES advertising on CList, to acquire escrap that ISN'T TVs/CRTs?

Sorry for the long post. Nice to talk to yall.

An unexpected problem i'm having: My wife wasn't around when I was scrapping before, and knows absolutely nothing about the industry. I've tried explaining it too her, she understands what i'm wanting to do. The problem is, she doesn't trust that it'll make money or that it's worth my time. I'm in the process of obtaining accounts now. If I go out to their location, i'm "wasting gas". If I cold call them, it's "well that doesn't seem effective, why are you doing it?" When I try to explain, I get "whatever, just do what you want"

It sucks not having support from your other half. I reckon with 3 kids we are kind of testy, especially with me getting less than 2 hours of sleep last night....either way. It's frustrating. Yes she stays at home with the kids. Yes that's important. But i'm out doing "my part". I shouldn't be hassled about it and told that i'm doing it wrong.

GAH.

/rant.

You need a better one man as YOU ARE MAKING MONEY.

I got to revise my reply as your reply just got to me. My wife dosen't know scrap but I have many contacts. I crush all my beer cans. ( A 96 gal. toter holds 125 lbs of cans $38.00) I brake every thing down and sort, she *****'S take's time and lot's of BEER, I only cash out ounce a mounth or so, BUT when I give her the CASH, $300.00 too $400.00 a mounth she's HAPPY, BUT still *****'s, I MAKE IT YOU SPENT IT. Gotta LOVE your wife.

My wife quit her job 16 years age to stay home and take care of our 3 kids because we could not afford daycare. I continued working but started selling old copper wire I removed from buildings I worked in. It paid the house note many times. I've been scrapping for a long time and my wife has always supported me doing that. About 4 years ago I got into ewaste and was bringing home enough that I was having a hard time breaking everything down to get it ready to sell. My wife told me about 3 years ago that she felt useless because she didn't have a job. I've always told her she had a harder job taking care of the kids and she agrees but she wanted to be able to do something to make money. I told her one day she was hired. I've taught her how to separate the different metals and she can tear through a truck load of computers in no time. We're in the process of getting everything ready to haul off because she wants to use the money for Christmas. I don't mean to high jack your thread but it has always bothered me when I hear about someones wife, husband or parents who don't support their scrapping. I hope that anyone in that situation succeeds and makes a s**t ton of money. Hopefully people will notice and the support will follow.

Originally Posted by TheHoss

An unexpected problem i'm having: My wife wasn't around when I was scrapping before, and knows absolutely nothing about the industry. I've tried explaining it too her, she understands what i'm wanting to do. The problem is, she doesn't trust that it'll make money or that it's worth my time. I'm in the process of obtaining accounts now. If I go out to their location, i'm "wasting gas". If I cold call them, it's "well that doesn't seem effective, why are you doing it?" When I try to explain, I get "whatever, just do what you want"

It sucks not having support from your other half. I reckon with 3 kids we are kind of testy, especially with me getting less than 2 hours of sleep last night....either way. It's frustrating. Yes she stays at home with the kids. Yes that's important. But i'm out doing "my part". I shouldn't be hassled about it and told that i'm doing it wrong.

GAH.

/rant.

She just needs some reassurance. Sit down with her and have a heart to heart. Explain to her that you know what's important. The little ones are helpless so they come first. She's depending on you so she comes second. Your needs come last.

Once you start bringing in a lot more than you could ever make on the job she'll get on board.

Hopefully!

Had that business meeting yesterday 150 miles away. The guy even paid for the gas. She was all for it until about 30 minutes before i left. I got off my morning job, came home to get some things and she lost it. Said i didn't tell her i was going, that i'm going to screw us over, that i'm wasting time, that "youre showing that your business is more important than family, so **** it just go, don't come home tonight"

This basically all started because she asked if i could wait 2 1/2 hours until the kids got home from school, so everyone could go as a family. I said "im not sure, i know he has plans at 6, and it's a 2 hour drive, so if we leave at 330 that's pushing it". She got upset, so i folded, said ok, no prob, we can wait. I wasn't upset, didn't even act like it or show it on my face. That's when she went psycho and did the whole "were not important" bit. After 2 hours of arguing, i FINALLY convinced her to come with, which is what she originally ****ing wanted anyways.

We end up showing up to the meeting 45 min late. It was totally pitch black out side so i couldn't see his operation that well, we were using our cell phones for light. It was successful, but it could've been alot better. I didn't roll back into my town until 215 am, and had to wake up at 445 am to go to my morning job.

TL;DR Somedays youre the windshield, somedays you're the bug. Love being both, as is life!

I love my wife. Shes a FIERY redhead and sometimes thinks with her ego and temper instead of her brain. Of course, one could say the EXACT same thing about me. Reckon that's why we work together so well. lol.

Originally Posted by TheHoss

Hopefully!

Had that business meeting yesterday 150 miles away. The guy even paid for the gas. She was all for it until about 30 minutes before i left. I got off my morning job, came home to get some things and she lost it. Said i didn't tell her i was going, that i'm going to screw us over, that i'm wasting time, that "youre showing that your business is more important than family, so **** it just go, don't come home tonight"

This basically all started because she asked if i could wait 2 1/2 hours until the kids got home from school, so everyone could go as a family. I said "im not sure, i know he has plans at 6, and it's a 2 hour drive, so if we leave at 330 that's pushing it". She got upset, so i folded, said ok, no prob, we can wait. I wasn't upset, didn't even act like it or show it on my face. That's when she went psycho and did the whole "were not important" bit. After 2 hours of arguing, i FINALLY convinced her to come with, which is what she originally ****ing wanted anyways.

Women are complicated !

Just guessing, but that sounds like girl code for " I'm lonely, i'm dying inside, and i really need to spend some time with you right now."

IDK .... maybe on some level she was worrying that you were going 150 miles to get a bit of strange on the side. ( It doesn't have to make sense.)

It's funny, but figuring out how to keep your gal emotionally healthy and happy is almost more important than any amount of money you could ever bring into the family. Most women have got this amazing capacity for devotion. Do right by em' and they'll stay by your side during the worst of times. If they get feeling neglected they're apt to stray.

It's not easy being a good father and husband these days cause you get pulled in so many different directions.

Originally Posted by TheHoss

An unexpected problem i'm having: My wife wasn't around when I was scrapping before, and knows absolutely nothing about the industry. I've tried explaining it too her, she understands what i'm wanting to do. The problem is, she doesn't trust that it'll make money or that it's worth my time. I'm in the process of obtaining accounts now. If I go out to their location, i'm "wasting gas". If I cold call them, it's "well that doesn't seem effective, why are you doing it?" When I try to explain, I get "whatever, just do what you want"

It sucks not having support from your other half. I reckon with 3 kids we are kind of testy, especially with me getting less than 2 hours of sleep last night....either way. It's frustrating. Yes she stays at home with the kids. Yes that's important. But i'm out doing "my part". I shouldn't be hassled about it and told that i'm doing it wrong.

GAH.

/rant.

This should not come as a shock to you as everyone knows Scrap prices are not like they used to be like when the peak of the war was happening in Iraq and afganinstan. Bottom line get a real JOB. You Can Not make ends meet right now with having a baby and a wife. Scapping wont take care of your family Bud. unless you own your own scrap yard your just living off false hope's. Sorry to crash your Little scrap dreams but someone's gotta give it to you straight. Time to grow up and be a big boy and get a real job. Scrapping is OK. Just not as a full time job when you got a wife and kid to feed.

Originally Posted by SheepDog

This should not come as a shock to you as everyone knows Scrap prices are not like they used to be like when the peak of the war was happening in Iraq and afganinstan. Bottom line get a real JOB. You Can Not make ends meet right now with having a baby and a wife. Scapping wont take care of your family Bud. unless you own your own scrap yard your just living off false hope's. Sorry to crash your Little scrap dreams but someone's gotta give it to you straight. Time to grow up and be a big boy and get a real job. Scrapping is OK. Just not as a full time job when you got a wife and kid to feed.

Let me start by saying that I am going to try to answer this in a polite way.

You are a relative newcomer to the forum. You do not know what Hoss's previous experience is. You don't know the volumes he is talking about. You don't know the prices he had been quoted. You don't know his work ethic. Many of us who have been here a while, know his previous work experience and work ethic. If Hoss has run the numbers and feels comfortable with them, who are you to rain on his parade.
I personally believe he can do it based on my experience. I'm only part time, but know that if I decided to give up my full time job (with pension and benefits), I could easily make it work and probably clear 100 k a year.

Originally Posted by mthomasdev

Let me start by saying that I am going to try to answer this in a polite way.

You are a relative newcomer to the forum. You do not know what Hoss's previous experience is. You don't know the volumes he is talking about. You don't know the prices he had been quoted. You don't know his work ethic. Many of us who have been here a while, know his previous work experience and work ethic. If Hoss has run the numbers and feels comfortable with them, who are you to rain on his parade.
I personally believe he can do it based on my experience. I'm only part time, but know that if I decided to give up my full time job (with pension and benefits), I could easily make it work and probably clear 100 k a year.

Good call. I thought it was a bit presumptuous to shut him down the way he did..

Originally Posted by SheepDog

This should not come as a shock to you as everyone knows Scrap prices are not like they used to be like when the peak of the war was happening in Iraq and afganinstan. Bottom line get a real JOB. You Can Not make ends meet right now with having a baby and a wife. Scapping wont take care of your family Bud. unless you own your own scrap yard your just living off false hope's. Sorry to crash your Little scrap dreams but someone's gotta give it to you straight. Time to grow up and be a big boy and get a real job. Scrapping is OK. Just not as a full time job when you got a wife and kid to feed.

Ah man. Theirs always one.

Not going to get all upset or anything, i've got thick skin.

I will tell you a couple things, however.

1.) Read my OP bud. Perhaps you'll step back on the whole "get a job", rhetoric.

2.) Just a piece of advice. Unless you know a person, be careful with the way you come off to them. Some folks in public might break your ****ing jaw for speaking to them like that, others, might not. Be careful, big guy.

Also, i have an amazing work ethic. When i had my business up and going prior, i would put in 14 hour days, **** near 7 days a week. I didn't take advice, did it all on my own or sometimes with the help of a friend, and made sure i learned most lessons the hard way.

Bottom line, thanks for the advice. Unfortunately none of what you said applies to me. As i've stated, i have 2 jobs and CAN pay my bills. Yeah money is tight but i just spent $45 on diapers (**** me, right?), picked up the formula and baby food, got some TP, and have some extra to buy a beer if id like.

Sounds like i've got my big boy pants on, eh?

Oh, *******, i've got *3* kids too feed. (Again with the reading the OP thing. Perhaps this whole paying attention, or written word comprehension thing you lack has some kind of correlation to how smart you think you are...)

Well Perhaps I touched a nerve....My deepest apologies to you. Good Luck to you and your Family.