Possible summer business venture- looking for input

I've been thinking about some ways to get scrap and stuff over the summer. My father goes back to work paving roads, so there goes my main source of scrap. That means that I have to get my own scrap. The problem is that I don't have a truck or anything to haul large loads, so I'd be confined within walking distance of my house. I was thinking of getting some business cards made to advertise my "haul away service" and putting them in people's mailboxes. I'd have to carry everything I haul away up to a mile. I have a few friends in the area that I could give a few bucks to help me with huge loads or the really heavy stuff. I live near an auto shop, a few resturaunts, a school, and a few hundred houses.

Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

Be careful about putting cards in mailboxes i think thats against the law

ever think of getting a moped?

If it goes through the mail its not against the law but a person putting a flyer or business card in a mailbox im pretty sure is against the law

Crimes and Criminal Procedure - 18 USC Section 1725
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18 USC Section 1725



01/19/04


Sec. 1725. Postage unpaid on deposited mail matter


Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits any mailable matter such as statements of accounts, circulars, sale bills, or other like matter, on which no postage has been paid, in any letter box established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the receipt or delivery of mail matter on any mail route with intent to avoid payment of lawful postage thereon, shall for each such offense be fined under this title. AMENDMENTS 1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $300". 1970 - Pub. L. 91-375 substituted "Postal Service" for "Postmaster General". EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1970 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 91-375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor by Board of Governors of United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91-375, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service

Read more: Is it legal to place flyers in people's mail boxes advertising a small, home business? | Answerbag http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/24632#ixzz1Gd9kfyZz

A guy scrapping without a vehicle really works with tied hands. What about the auto shop? The guy generates scrap in the way of rotors, engine blocks and the occaisional entire vehicle. Could you cut a deal with the owner for a fixer upper to be paid for by hauling away his scrap? Asking doesn't put you out anything.
You need a vehicle or a joint venture with someone who has one. Best of luck.

I'm only 15 so I couldn't drive anyway. About the golf cart- is that even legal to drive on the street?

I saw this thread a couple days ago and wanted to come back to it but couldn't find it. Anyway, I was telling my wife about the guy scrapping without any vehicle but getting what he could within walking distance. I have to say I admire your gumption - everybody has to start somewhere. Do you have a riding lawnmower? You can pull a small wagon behind one of those. If not, save some of your scrap metal money for a used rider and wagon. Then you can make money mowing yards, too. Check, but I'd think you can drive one of those on the streets without a license.

You can not use a motorized vehicles on a public road that is not licensed. If you do you are taking a risk. Kids on dirt bikes and 4wheelers can an do get into trouble for two things. No driver licenses an the vehicle not being licensed. When someone who is driving a motorized vehicle that is not licensed stand to be in trouble as well but you will be less likely to be stopped if its a one time deal. (golf cart from one house to another or taking dirt bike/4wheeler to the riding trails if they are close to your home an or close to the point in where you where on public road.

That is the law. Some city's/cops wont enforce the law alot like the seat belt law before they stepped up on that but still the law.

Now your best bet is to do this. Get some money that you can spend. Find buyers who WILL COME TO YOU an find out what they will pay. (Cu, Pb batteries or Ni-CD/Ni-MH, AL) an so on. Once you have there buying numbers then make ads an tell people you are buying "blank" an you pay cash on the spot (buy a scale on ebay) an then when you have around 1,000 or so worth of stuff...call them an have them come out and buy it from you. Whats what I do but on a much larger scale.

Make sure that you get the Tr of the amount of weight so you don't over pay. Another side note lets say you found a buyer for Cu at 3 an you have a ad saying you will pay Cu for 2.5 clean then you make 0.5 clean an easy but they can bring you "dirty" wire you clean it an then sell it at the Clean Cu price. You make more money on dirty stuff then clean but clean is something you can sell right away.

keep weight tickets even if they are simple an a small log book so you KNOW what you have it so you can all ways make sure you'll make a profit on the deal. *when you fall short because of price drop..still sell it even tho you know you will take a hit..find out how much of a price hit you are going to lose an factor that into your next buying sheet...cant hold onto stuff until price comes up if you need that money to reinvest...start with small amounts 1,000 would be a good place but work on having around 20grand. I have days where I have spent more than that but 20grand will take you a very long way.

P.s I am sorry if this is very long but I wanted to explain everything in one post an not have to repost to answer every's question. But if there is one I have not answered please let me know an I will get back with you the best I can.