Warning* before you start a scrap metal business consider this - Page 2

Instead of "Green Truck" on the side of my truck it says Anderson Recycling (my name) and no one elses.....I would be rather be level one with my own biz than a corporate sellout

Nope.

I keep typing out replies, and grandma's voice keeps ringing in my ears: "Son, if you cain't say something nice, don't say nothing at all."

Let me just say: my level's just fine with me. I'm grateful for what I have and have no need to be jealous of what my fellow man has.

That's a pretty good level to be at, as far as I'm concerned.

Originally Posted by auminer

Nope.

I keep typing out replies, and grandma's voice keeps ringing in my ears: "Son, if you cain't say something nice, don't say nothing at all."

Let me just say: my level's just fine with me. I'm grateful for what I have and have no need to be jealous of what my fellow man has.

That's a pretty good level to be at, as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah I already had to go back and delete one of my posts...LOL

Originally Posted by Tcgs

I'm a Level 3. I scrap for a living. I get dirty. I'm not afraid of what I do on any level.

Originally Posted by Tcgs

Level 3 Scrapper = I rely completely on business techniques to acquire scrap. However I am still far from my goals. I have some help scrapping but if I am not involved in the process, my business declines. We make a decent amount of money, but overhead is a B*tch I only pay myself $5000 a month or less.

So you have someone working for you or with you? Are you properly licensed? Do you have insurance in case your helper/employee gets hurt? Do you give him a regular paycheck and withhold all you are suppose to for taxes and other state and federal requirements? Do you require your helper/employee to wear the proper safety gear, and comply with OSHA requirements?

Or is this just someone that helps and shares in the profit, if that is the case, are you paying him as a contractor, or is he a business partner?

If you don't have all the correct things in place, one simple little tiny accident could cause you to loose all you have built up to at this point. If this is honestly where you are at, I for one would like to know your story if you are willing to write it. It might tone down your offensive statements a bit and would have far more value than what you have posted thus far in this thread, it actually might help other people instead of offend them.

Scott

I searched but could not find a link for "Green Truck" or anything to do with a franchise with that name. Does anyone have a link? If you type it out as a website it just says it's under construction.

Franchise opportunities are actually not a bad idea for people who have never owned a business or do not understand how to operate a business. They lay every possible thing out for you. Matter of fact, if you buy into a good franchise, it's almost impossible if you are following everything you are suppose to be doing, to fail, unless the franchise itself fails.

I have been seriously playing with the idea of franchising a part of what I do so that I can help other people create a successful business while at the same time generating a good steady stream of material to process. I won't be doing this anytime in the very near future, I have my own business to grow and look after. But I have been tumbling the idea around in my head just the same.

With all that being said however, the OP should not be giving advice about business if he has bought into a franchise and is stating their sales pitch, or worse if he is just simply re--posting their instructions and calling them his own.

If anyone has the link for "Green Truck" I would be interested, you can either post it here or send it via email.

Scott

NOBEL METAL WORKS

This post is not intended to give advice on franchising.

Here is my level.....I have never looked upon anyone doing an honest days work as being below me, no matter what they do and I teach my children that as well.

Originally Posted by Tcgs

YOU GUYS!!!

GREENTRUCK is MY FRANCHISE

I guarantee the contracts, the scrap, and the system.

I operate one of my own franchises.

Sounds good where do I sign up

This is not a post about franchise help.

Originally Posted by mikeinreco

Sounds good where do I sign up

Your kiddin me mike.

Originally Posted by Tcgs

Your kiddin me mike.

Naw if your doing that well I'm interested....We will just have to work on "Green Truck" because my truck is Red

Where is your franchise information, your business license, etc. I can find no information. Who did you franchise through? Where is your sales documents (pitch), etc?

Reason I ask is that if you truly started your own franchise, I would be interested in knowing how exactly you did it. I know people who have started franchises, and have done very well, but it's a long and laborious process. When it comes to recycling it's even worse, you have to comply with the Federal EPA, and each state EPA program you operate in, not to mention the local governments, and that's just one tiny aspect of the environmental licensing.

And if it's your franchise, who operates the franchise while you are out getting your hands dirty?

How many franchises have you sold, and are those people on this forum? I would like to talk with them. Or if not on this forum, how can someone get in contact with them? Franchises always refer to their franchisees when new clients are asking about the franchise as a viable business to involve themselves in.

I am honestly interested if you have honestly successfully created a franchise. More info! I may be able to benchmark what I eventually intend to do, although our businesses are different, they still are similar enough.

Scott

Originally Posted by Tcgs

SO you guys can hate on me even more,

I started my first greentruck store in Nov. 2012.

Built it completely organically, or should I say with no initial investment other than my time.

We scrap over 50 tons a month. Contracts guaranteed.

Oh, and that's working 2 days a week.

Originally Posted by Tcgs

It appears that a lot of people want to get in the scrap metal business. Part of me says, "Great! Entrepreneurs" However, what I see is a bunch of Wantrepreneurs. People who think that going into business is easy, and that all they need is to make a couple hundred bucks a week is good enough. What we have is a flood of bad scrappers.

Consider which scrapper you want to be



Level 1 Scrapper = I get my scrap from the streets, its almost always free. I make about $50-500 a week.

Level 2 Scrapper = I rely on some actual business techniques to acquire my scrap but I am still dependent upon the streets for my scrap. I can bring in some decent income from $500-1000 a week.

Level 3 Scrapper = I rely completely on business techniques to acquire scrap. However I am still far from my goals. I have some help scrapping but if I am not involved in the process, my business declines. We make a decent amount of money, but overhead is a B*tch I only pay myself $5000 a month or less.

Level 4 Scrapper = I own a small scrap yard. Were constantly buying and selling. Its hard to keep up with the pace of business, and the market dictates our fortune. Things are good but could go either direction. I make a six figure income and don't have to beat myself up everyday at work.

Lets be real, nobody wants to be just a level 1 scrapper, you can say that you have to start somewhere. Unfortunately level 1 scrappers almost never make it to a level 3 or more.

Maybe you have a good idea, thought it was original, then came to the forum and realized everyone is doing it. You may still try, but getting past level 2 is hard. Only a true entrepreneur will make it to level 3 or beyond.

The only way I see it possible is to start at level 3 and progress to 4 and beyond. This means a substantial investment into the business. Maybe not all at once or in the beginning, but building a scrap yard from the ground up isn't the easiest way to pay the bills at home now or any time soon.

If you value your hands, feet, and other appendages, you will soon realize that level 1 and 2 scrappers are in constant pain from scrapping injuries.

If you value your public image, just ask a life long level 1 scrapper how he feels when people watch him digging in the trash. Even as a level 3, you will come home dirty and smelling bad.

Is this business for you? Only you can decide. Just consider what kind of business you want and the best way to get it.

You make a valuable point and thank you for presenting the different levels, I never thought of it like that. Personally, I view scrapping as an alternative to the monotonous 8 our work day. Yes, I get all my scrap for free because I'm really good with numbers and communication. As a former math teacher and a holder of a B.A. In Communication, it's the perfect combination. I take a professional approach to what I do. I have a business card, I exercise extreme business ethics, and so on. The end result, I don't have to find scrap, it finds me. So, what category would I fit in, maybe 3a. I sell a product I never pay for which yields me 95% interest ALL the time. While you make a larger sum of money each year, try answering these questions: how is your health and how much free time do you have on your hands to exercse and spend with the family, i have a ton of both. how much do you have to spend to make that much, i bearly spend $1000 to $20,000. Do you get my drift, its not working hard thats the key, its working smart. Can't wait to get your response.

YOU GUYS!!!

GREENTRUCK is MY FRANCHISE

I guarantee the contracts, the scrap, and the system.

I operate one of my own franchises.[/QUOTE]

OK let me educate you a little.... you have either bought a franchise or you own a company and are selling franchises....or you owned the company,sold it to someone and bought back a franchised piece of it....which the latter would be the smarter of the three options

Originally Posted by NobleMetalWorks

Where is your franchise information, your business license, etc. I can find no information. Who did you franchise through? Where is your sales documents (pitch), etc?

Reason I ask is that if you truly started your own franchise, I would be interested in knowing how exactly you did it. I know people who have started franchises, and have done very well, but it's a long and laborious process. When it comes to recycling it's even worse, you have to comply with the Federal EPA, and each state EPA program you operate in, not to mention the local governments, and that's just one tiny aspect of the environmental licensing.

And if it's your franchise, who operates the franchise while you are out getting your hands dirty?

How many franchises have you sold, and are those people on this forum? I would like to talk with them. Or if not on this forum, how can someone get in contact with them? Franchises always refer to their franchisees when new clients are asking about the franchise as a viable business to involve themselves in.

I am honestly interested if you have honestly successfully created a franchise. More info!

Scott

Thank you for your interest Scott.

There is a lot of propitiatory information. I will tell you what I can.

I have two Owned franchises currently. Denver and Phoenix.

Phoenix has already sold, Denver is for sale.

As for telling you how I franchised, how about I tell you what I found out about franchising a scrap business.

WHAT IS YOUR PROPRIETARY INFO? Everyone here knows how to scrap, what are you offering.

Me, I offer contracts, guaranteed scrap, guaranteed contracts, already negotiated.

What will you offer?

As for licensing and that other jazz, you need a partner. Maybe one who has already franchised other businesses. Start there.
I don't expect to become a franchise expert, simply I have a good franchise idea and have a proven model.

If anyone wants info on my franchise they can email me

greentruckrecycling@gmail.com