Tossing around an idea or two

Ok so scrappuns been pretty quiet around here lately, and iv been tossing around a few ideas to up my material intake. One idea id like to run by the SMF vets and see what they think. Or anyones opinion in general!

Over the past few months iv greatly increased my ewaste knowledge and for the most part am pretty confident buying and selling it.

Now where im from, ewaste isnt huge yet and there are lots of citys and towns a few hours away who dont even do ewaste at all from what iv seen. Driving to these areas to pick up ewaste (circuit boards for the most part) doesnt seem very logical and I think id actually lose money in travel costs... im tossing the idea around of making ads and maybe even a small website for people to sell and ship ewaste to me locally. I wouldnt be able to pay SMF prices but if I didnt have to travel or do much in the way of work to get materials, I could be pretty competative with the yards that do buy ewaste in my area.

Our shop also has an account with ZoomShipR, and we are able to get outstanding shipping rates for provincial shipping. Basically ZoomShipR takes all the specs for the package being shipped, and shops every courier available in our area for the best rate. You can then print or email the shipping lable to the person sending the package, and the courier picks it up directly from their location.

One possible issue I can think of is payment for the sellers. I dont have checks and not everyone has paypal. Also, whos going to trust "some random guy" with their scrap. I wouldnt screw anyone over, and id be willing to put my SMF reputation on the line. But they wouldnt know that..

Lookin for any opinions on this. Thanks all!

I pay for most of my scrap and have so much I can't even see over it if that tells you what biz model works for me

Originally Posted by Bear

You need a business plan and a box truck. If your area is untapped, that means schools, offices(gov't and business), even hospitals are likely candidates. With a truck that has a sign with a number (even on top) you'll be headed in the right direction.
Yes, even on top, there are lots of offices above ground level with windows, and lots of people are constantly looking out those windows, including the execs ; )

I would loove to get to that level one day but right now im not able to get that big. Im thinkin small for right now. Iv got my mechanics apprenticeship im finishing up in the next year and a half, so id like to keep it a little low key for now as im not able to actually focus all my time on this and get an actual business license, etc. Iv got a truck on the way to replace my old one and an 18ft flatdeck trailer (walls can be made) so im set vehicle wise. If I can get a few guys, say comp shop owners, selling and shipping me ewaste on a regular basis I would be happy for now. As for tapping into businesses, govt and schools, etc I think I would need an actual business license and name.

I wouldnt say my area hasnt been tapped, there are a few guys that do it but not to the degree of other places and not at the prices described here on SMF. And its only in the bigger cities.

I can definately agree with your ideas Bear. And I will end up doin that one day.

Originally Posted by lousypirate

face to face cash money if they don't take paypal. nobody gets screwed, eh?

hold to the prices agreed upon, maybe give some explanations as to why what is worth what.

But then that means me traveling to pay and I might as well pick up the materials at the same time. Theres TONS out there that nobody other than yards (at shred price) seems to want to buy, and its just out of my reach. Shipping would put it within my reach, I just need to figure out how to get the money to people. I may have to get checks set up!

also advertise in local papers. might be worth a few bucks to see how well you do with one for a month or so. Put your ad in the computer repair and for sale section, not in with the business ads(who the hek ever looks through those?).
If it comes up in the conversation why you're doing it, simply say you're going to school and it's just a way to scrape up a bit of extra work

I just need to figure out how to get the money to people. I may have to get checks set up!

Down here you can use Postal money orders for total safety, but on the cheap, Walmart money orders are cheaper.

Originally Posted by Patriot76

Have you thought of approaching the local schools to collect the ewaste. A coach of a team is always looking for a way to make money to send athletes to camp, buy new uniforms, or pay meals. Make a deal with the school. They advertise and collect the material. You haul and give them a percentage. Win, Win for everyone. As a coach, we did this all of the time and the community really supported it. We set up bins around town for aluminum cans and made a lot of money without any work. Ewaste was not as popular back then, maybe because computers were not as abundant. Anyway, I would approach the schools to help with logistics. If you do not want to work with an individual team, approach the administration about the idea with the proposition that you will provide coats for the needy students in return. The administrator will come out smelling like a rose with the P.R. and you will make money. Just the way I would handle it.

I actually know one of the shop teachers really well, its been years since iv been im school but I had shop class with this one teacher for a few years. Im headin back in the spring to show him our newly restored 1929 Model A (it was in his shop at school for a year and he helped alot with the restoration process.) Im going to talk to him about hauling his auto shop scrap and ask who to talk to about other scrap when im there.

Since I acquired my LLC I have been picking up a lot of business from people who wouldn't deal with me in the past. It's a head game because they think that you are now organized. There are business expenses, tools and gas/miles that can be written off.

There is a company here in my town that does a lot of business. They buy and get a lot of stuff for free. They spots all over the city where you can drop off junk for free. There are places like storage facilities, small businesses, and other key locations. One of the storage facilities has a manager always there who puts the materials in there storage unit and calls when it's full. I went to a mulch business to recycle my Christmas tree and the guy there said the collect computers and office equipment for the company. He also said it helps bring in new customers.

If you truly have an untapped market then reach out to the community and small business owners to help yourself grow and develop a network in those towns.

If you want to get bigger Jord, look into the Ontario Electronic Stewartship program.

OES oversees reuse and recycling of waste electronics in Ontario | Ontario Electronic Stewardship