watching Ps and Qs

gold has been going down and shipping going up as well as all other things needed to scrap e waste. tools, fuel ect.

for example a low end dell work station or hospital computer is now worth about $8 totaly scrapped out as apposed to about $12 a year or so ago. This BS that the inflation rate (cost of doing business or living) is at one percent or lower is just that total B.S.. just look at the cost of food utilities. fuel and other esentials that were dropped from the inflation index a couple of years ago.

Our gross inventory here at EcoSafe has risen dramatically over the past year, but, because of inflation our bottom line is still about the same or even less if we don't watch our Ps and Qs. Un fortunately I have just never been a Ps and Qs kind of guy so it is a difficult learning process for me.

Just today we got in about 700 to 800 lbs and I will spend the day tomorrow shopping shippers, it has come to the point where a penny or two a pound is significant in the bottom line.

I also tend to give the customer the benefit of doubt on pricing unfamiliar boards. for fear of losing the customer, another habit I'm trying hard to break. If you are in danger of losing money on the deal then loosing the customer can sometimes be the right thing to do.

To chase down a scrap computer or even 2 or 3 paying $5 ea. for them then going to get them in today's market is a loosing proposition. many only realize that after 6 month or so of hard work only to realize their bank account is empty
and they are borrowing the mortgage or car payment to buy inventory. (been there done that). MCW Just sayin.



I posted this earlier on Marios site. thought it might help others who don't visit that sight very often. mcw

I posted this thread, not to criticize, but as a boost to help other struggling with falling e waste prices we must learn to adapt and overcome.

I think alot of us e scrappers (me included) are in the "hoarding" phase, waiting for the prices to rise and to get enough inventory to have a couple good shipments when the prices hopefully rebound, JM $.02

Problem is I can,t afford to hoard. got a nut to crack and with the lease in Omaha running now I've got two nuts to crack.

Phantom, I have found that just about every audio and video card I take the time to list sells for 9.95 - 19.95 ea. Certainly much better than xx per lb. I run them thru a 5-7 day auction (depending on how the sold ones look) and if they don't sell after twice then in the pile they go.

I've been "retooling". Switching towards getting customers that want to just avoid a fee for getting rid of their stuff. That and resale make a good mixture.