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If anyone is insulted by anything I post then my point has some substance.
I would and have given my scrap to some people who need it, before I would sell at a profit to a others who think they should have it because they are better than the next guy.
Sometimes just to make the point.
Well I guess you're just better than me then.
We need a separate room for morality questions... This thread has gone south :(
That's not for for me to think or say but by your reaction to my way of life I must be somewhat inspirational and slightly evocative.Quote:
Originally Posted by BurlyGuys
Thanks!
Wwgd? Lol!
Before this gets outta hand, I've decided to give him a cut. Not because I in any way owe him, but because it's good PR. My biggest concern is that he realizes that he may do pretty good selling these used pumps himself, and cut me out.
I don't understand where the confusion is coming from. There was never any agreement silent, spoken, or written. The guy gets this junk and needs to dispose of it. I once mentioned that I scrap, and he told me he'd give the stuff to me from now on. Money was never discussed. Starting with the second load, I began giving him my estimation of half the shred value. Other than me offering him money, and him accepting, we have never discussed exchanging scrap for money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Re-cycler
You've answered your own question as to why NOT to do this my friend. As someone else suggested, buy him a steak dinner. Bring him beer. Drop off coffee and donuts. Don't make it a straight cash deal where he realizes he can make more elsewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by TMoney
Best wishes!
And why exactly is my name being thrown around in your post?Quote:
Originally Posted by Re-cycler
Who is talking about right and wrong here? He made a business deal. He paid 50% of shred price to the seller. Seller accepted. He sold it, and made $140 profit off the deal? Where is there anything regarding right and wrong here?
He did not lie to the guy, he did not pull a fast one over on him. He made a simple and legal business transaction.
When did I say anything in this thread of taking anyone to court?
When at any moment did I give out bad advice on this thread? All I have simple said, is that the OP made a business deal, and that deal is now concluded. That is the end of the deal. Seller is owed nothing more. Now if he wants to pay the guy more, or a gift card or take the money and take his wife out to dinner, it is all on him. Its his business and he can do what he wants. I have only shared my opinion like everyone else on here.
As far as the rest of your comment, I am not getting into a pi$$ing match with no one.
From now on, just leave me out of your little comments.
Me too! I guess we are d***** bags and stupid Burly for being in business to make a profit. What have I been thinking all these years.Quote:
Originally Posted by BurlyGuys
Hahahahaha.
Only question I have is how a good pump ended up in a shred pile? Someone got screwed up stream. Kickbacks will only open the door to more people getting screwed. Then next month one of YOU guys will show up complaining how expensive it was to get your well fixed.
The original agreement should be set up to pay the "bills". Any "cream" is profit.
I wondered how long that would take.
;?)
He told me that the guy the pump came from switched over his whole system. This is the second working pump, but the other was a cheap Sears 1/3 hp that I still haven't decided what to do with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gangel
To all of the posters who actually READ my post, and gave an opinion either way: Thank you.
I think the suggestions about giving him some sort of gift rather than cash are good advice. I don't want him to start expecting money for something he was giving away for free. I probably already started that problem by giving him money for past loads. What's done is done, and I'll continue to do it as 1/2 of the shred value is a small token of my gratitude.
To Re-cycler: You were so quick to start preaching about morals, that I don't think you thoroughly read the OP. It was a simple arrangement (NOT Agreement), in which he gave me junk I could scrap, and I gave him a few dollars as a thank-you.
Nevertheless, thanks for your input.
To Burly and George: I totally understand where you guys are coming from. In the end, the goal of every businesses is to make money. Simply making money does not mean that anyone is necessarily being exploited. Thanks for your comments on the subject, and sorry you came under attack for being business men.
,Quote:
Originally Posted by TMoney
I apologize if I made you uncomfortable with the reaction to my opinion here, I did jump on and still count that 50% as a part of the deal.
I'm glad you are going to share and I really hope it helps your future with the guy, just make him an honest offer to sell any good items for him when you hand him whatever amount you decide on.
Most people don't want to mess around with leftovers from a paid service and are happy with a little bonus above scrap value now and then.
I do make deals with people that anything I can sell over scrap value I often offer them half of whatever it sells for.
and they are more than happy to add to the load and call me when they need a hand or have someone else offering a fraction of what stuff is worth.
If I am guessing about anything I say I try to make that point up front so they know whether or not an item is worth taking to higher levels rather than tossing it into the scrap pile.
Gosh, I wish I'd come to this party sooner. TMoney, congrats on the profits. And I would be comfortable with either decision you chose. If you're a for-profit business, you can hardly avoid that greedy tag these days. Even trying to keep your customer happy could be seen as greedy because you want more of his money in the future and also, as you said, you don't want him to cut you out. I'm pretty sure everyone here, in one way or another, is trying to better themselves financially so I wouldn't let that label stick.
TMoney:Quote:
Originally Posted by TMoney
I think your final decision is best. If prices are good, and you are comfortable with a % of shred. Go for it. If you are doing it to help him save time and he wants you to make money and expects nothing in return, that is good too.
Ultimately, even if you are not operating under a business name, you are still in business for yourself and have to decide what to do to make a profit and keep the business coming in. Its cool to ask for advice, but advice only can go so far, so no one knows the whole situation for your business, area, pricing, etc.
No need to apologize. What works for us, might not work for others, and that is alright. Have a good day
What would god do?Quote:
Originally Posted by hobo finds
;?)
The other "G"
Thanks also to everyone who gave congrats on the score.
Split !
I have been a business owner for over 20 years. A long standing rule of mine and I apply it almost with every business decision. Any endeavor has to be a winner for all involved. A winner for me, my employees, my vendors and most importantly my customers. Does everybody win at the same percentage, almost never! At the end of the day what matters the most to me, did I try to do right and what I thought was best for all involved. This is much harder than it sounds to put in practice and sometimes I take the lowest percentage (very rarely). The goodwill this develops for you is priceless and you will sleep better at night. So I think giving him a little extra is good for the both of you.
I have probably misunderstood what you said then. I'm sure by now the 50% of the scrap metal is the deal because it has been performed so many times. I would still give him a gift, but it would be less than 50%. Giving him a nice dinner or something not money may prevent this from becoming a deal all the time, but don't do it for every single above scrap thing he gives you. I usually take a drink or some food to my mechanic because he is so good to me all the time.Quote:
Originally Posted by TMoney
I agree. I figure that by now, he expects a few bucks when I pick up scrap. That's part of the reason I was hesitant to give him a piece of the resale profit. I didn't want to set a precedent. Who knows though, this may increase my chances of getting more working pumps in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spidy
And now you add insult. You know, you're not a bad guy. You know what else? Neither am I. We choose to do business differently. But I do take issue with you coming on here and talking smack about me like I am immoral.
End of rant.[/QUOTE]
I liked this so much I had to do the same, BURLY SMASH>
When I first posted the vote was 13-0 for keeping his word and not succumbing to greed.
"trying to pressure him into my moral standpoint so he cant back down"
Those who voted against it have their reasons none of which I agree with from a moral standpoint.
"Im a more moral person than those who voted against it"
They are also the kind of people who feel the need to keep a lawyer's phone number handy and make an effort dress and drive better than others so they can make a few bucks more than the next guy.
"I hate sucessful people, and people that want to be sucessful too"
They are just not the way I choose to be when it comes to life, in and amongst my peers.
"You should folow my lead cause my way is better"
We all like to get a deal whether it is cheap or free.
"I dont get these deals, why should you"
The no votes are from what I have seen posted by them over the last couple years all businesses which understandably charge given rates for their services.
"I thing all businesses are corrupt"
Some of the yes voters are at lower levels of service dealing at more of a personal level
"Businesses dont care about people"
in much smaller quantities that can easily be squeezed out by the no voters who often roll in with cash in hand eliminating small competition immediately.
"Im bad with money, it makes me angry to see other people have it and use it"
It's all just "Law of the jungle" the big eat the small,predator and prey etc etc.
"Life is unfair, lets complain about not being on top"
I can say that lots of folks have walked up to my accounts trying to outbid me and failed because my clients/friends know, respect and trust me, hell some of them even like me.
"I am trying to run a business much like the ones I dispise but am having a hard time being sucessful"
Above all they know I don't hide anything from them.
"Im not competition"
I tell every one of them what the current prices are and where they can haul or send their scrap to get the best prices.
"I leave little bits out so that they dont get interested and change their mind"
This thread and whole forum has told me clearly who I would not do business with or offer referrals to.
"Feel special if I have ever done anything for you, the string is still attached"
This was fun.
Sorry if I was too hard on you. I understand if you are upset. You are allowed.
Full article at Scrap Metal Forum: http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/lets-...#ixzz2TmH6gNMD
I feel bad for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by TMoney
This threat has forced you to give away profit to look good. (PR)
And Now im sure he will go off and do it by himself. ( if 75 was good then 150 sounds even better )
When you discount or rebate, you only tell the customer that your product or service is inferior.
Or that's what was taught from my sales training at Mercedes Benz.
I read it as he pays the guy 50% of the estimated weight. Thats the deal and if the guy is ok with that IMO, anything above that is the OP's good luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spidy
I'm ok with what I say and do, My words don't differ from online to real life and I try to make my statements clearly and honestly so that there is nothing to read or write in between the lines.
I am amused that I inspired a couple rants.
Thanks
re-cycler
;?)
You made more money than just scrap because dude said "hey, that one works and is worth some coin." You want to encourage him to do it more in the future so you make more money off of his scrap in the future. Offer him something extra this time (he may not want it,) and tell him you will pay him for anything like this that he points out to you in the future ( a new deal.)
Or give him nothing extra, and start checking all his scrap for resellable stuff yourself. no fun.
I gave him $50 for the jet pump when I stopped today. He only had 1 pressure tank and some galv pipe for me to pick up today. I didn't give him anything extra for the scrap pick up. He told me that he'll let me know if he gets any more working pumps. He also told me that he's now holding the copper and the brass for himself, so I suspect that I'll only be getting the shred that he can't haul in his van in the future.
I agree with Burly on this one. Our contract clearly states that we "we reserve the right to sell items that are in good condition". When you have a payroll to meet, a warehouse to maintain and a fleet of trucks, a little "windfall" is a welcome bonus for the untold hours spent on "triage" and listing items for sale.Quote:
Originally Posted by BurlyGuys
Another way of looking at this is, would you go back and ask him to return some of the money you paid him if the load didn't pay what you thought it would? Probably not. Remember, PROFIT is NOT a four letter word. It is required if your business is to grow. Since this person is also a business owner, they will respect you for that. Furthermore, the quickest way to have another competitor is to show a customer how much profit there really is in this business.
All that said, customer relations is a VITAL part of any business. We try very hard to make certain our suppliers are taken care of and appreciated. Gift cards, coffee and donuts at morning break time, Pizza at lunch, and an occasional laptop or cell phone make nice "gifts" to make certain your name stays at the top of the list.
As many on here have said, follow your conscience, but if it were me, I would say thank you in a way that is more personal than money. It will build more "goodwill" and respect for your business acumen than all the gold in Ft. Knox.
JMHO - TRB