VOG: Such a difficult question to answer. My guess is that with your contacts, willingness to work and being in a populated area, you can expect more business than you can handle. To make this happen you also have to follow a few tried-and-true steps that will easily allow you to beat out your competition:
1: get out of your comfort zone (everyone has one) and be willing to talk talk talk...to everyone you can. Cold call on businesses throughout your locality
2: be clear and concise about what you do and how you can help someone
3: slap a professional
business card in every hand you shake. Usually I give out 2, one extra for them to give to a friend
4: be profesional in your manners, dress, etc....break the mold of what people think a scrapper is like
Personally, I concentrate on electronic recycling and it pays to wear a polo and khakis. I get high-end customers looking to dispose of "clean" equipment, which to me is where the good money is at. But I am also not afraid to get my hands dirty as I find myself up to my elbows in grease at times taking apart motors, etc. Read the forums and learn what you can, even from the cranky....err...experienced guys on here.
Edit: I went from getting a few occasional computers each week to having a dozen contacts supplying me with a steady stream, plus what I get at garage sales and craigslist ads. Add to that the auctions I do and I have a 40-6 hour work week almost guaranteed.
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