approaching an HVAC contractor( whos a neighbor sorta)

So there's a guy whose an hvac contractor and owns his own company and lives a block away. I want to contact him about buying his scrap motors ( condensor motors). The going rate for electric motors at our yard is .30 a # so I was thinking about offering him .35 a # . My question is how should I go about approaching him should I call him or wait till I see him outside one day ? What would you guys do ?

What mick said. What I did with my direct tv guy was catch him out one day while he wasn't working, asked what he did with his scrap stuff, an went from there. He won't accept money for it, so I get it free. granted I do toss him a 6 pack now an then, I know you can't do that, being not able to buy beer an all.

If he doesn't want money an is willing to still give them to you, bring him a gift card or something after some time, or soda/drinks that he can take to work, etc. I'd ask what he does with them, if he says he scraps them then I'd offer him your price, if he just tosses it, offer to take it off his hands, an offer to pay if that doesn't work. You'd be surprised what folks will give up for free.

Edit : You could also offer to bring him your items that contain freon to, if you ever deal with fridges, ac's, etc. then you have someone who is licensed an can capture it for you. Might even be able to start recycling it, if he's game. Just an idea.

Good call an way to be proactive in looking for more avenues to find your goods.

As always good luck!

Sirscrapalot - A well adjusted person is one who makes the same mistake twice without getting nervous. - Alexander Hamilton

Am I missing something here? You can sell them to the yard for $0.30/lb - but you're going to buy them from him at $0.35/lb? Wouldn't you be losing $0.05/lb?

Originally Posted by waredu

Am I missing something here? You can sell them to the yard for $0.30/lb - but you're going to buy them from him at $0.35/lb? Wouldn't you be losing $0.05/lb?

I can only assume he plans to break them down for the copper.

I would start at the same price as the yard. I imagine there is some value to him selling it to you, versus packing it up, going to the yard, waiting, weighing in/out, etc.

I always take apart condenser motors, If I offer him the same as the yard , he scraps his own stuff it wouldn't be worth it . I have to make it attractive