3 simple things that will make more money.

1. A name- makes you look much more professional and trustworthy- especially if you deal with business locations or customers. You can usually register a business name at the local county offices for under $20- and you'll need it if you want to open a business checking account. Even if you don't register it- pick a decent sounding name to use when you answer the phone.

2. A phone number- no one wants to hear your cutesy/smart-aleck little voice mail greeting when they call for business reason- so spend $20 or $30 bucks and get a prepaid cell phone and use that number on your signs, business cards and emails.- It really makes a difference. Make sure you answer the phone when it rings- if you're lazy and think you'll just call them back later- they've already moved on to someone that answered the phone when the cu$tomer called.

3. Business cards- $20 at Office Max, and they'll help you design them.
People want to do business with successful people- and business cards separate your from the 'random guy with a truck' type operations.
Even if your ARE just a random guy with a truck- business cards make you look more professional.
If you can't afford the $20- make some small fliers that will work as business cards and print them 6 or 8 to a sheet and cut them on a paper cutter at the copy store. Google and Youtube can teach you how to make simple fliers.

And... if you have the extrs $$$ decals on the truck, small-big-medium- whatever DECALS WORK!, im having a couple magnetic done on my truck tailgate and pass doors slap em on and hit the road, then when i need to peel them off and in the truck they go!!!!!

Originally Posted by Kris Kringle

Signs are a Good Idea to bad they wouldn't work around here. We have people around here that likes signs on a car they see it as a moving target to try and wreck you and file lawsuit against you they see it as a Business Vechicle and then see $$$$ signs.

That's why you shouldn't set up your business as a sole-proprietorship, but rather a limited liability company that buys insurance.

I am about to get the side of my wifes tahoe lettered up.

Buying Junk Cars
Catalytic converter's
Aluminum wheels and Batteries
number
name

Originally Posted by Kris Kringle

That is True thats why i am set up as a LLC but guess what I am sure you know when ever there is a claim filed against your insurance company Who pays ???? YOU the LLC is Just a Name that is LLC It comes out of My pocket.

I think your missing my point... If somebody hits your business's truck, they cannot sue you or file a claim against you. They have to file a claim against your company. The worst thing that could happen is you lose your company and it goes bankrupt, but all of your personal money is still your own money. They cannot take ANYTHING away from YOU!

This, of course, is much better then owning a sole proprietorship, where, if you are hit by some a-hole like you describe, they can sue you and take away your house, you and your wife's car, and your children's college funds.

If you own an LLC, they can only sue for what is owned by the LLC. So, the moral is to pay yourself often, and don't let unnecessary funds dwell in the business account.

We had a full blown S-corp (not for scrapping). Our lawyers and accountant told us that the LLC does not provide enough seperation. We had lots of guys in vehicles in several states working in the air and digging and such, but they said with the right catastrophe, even the S-corp can have it's corporate veil pierced.

I would guess though that the worst thing that could happen in the scrapping business could be mostly contained by an LLC.

With that thought, what could be the worst thing that could happen to a scrapper that could cause you to get sued.

There is the obvious wreck or loosing your load causing a family to die on the highway. I would think that could be the worst that could happen to a regular scrapper. The load which can be solved by proper transport and securing practices.

Killing a family on the road would be horrible. But there is a lot of other things. Say your torching and set a brush fire burning.( we have a 50 acre one burning here right now that has already got three structers)
I carry 750,000 liability now and probably will up it later these policys are cheaper than you would think.

Yes, a brush fire in the wrong place could destroy untold number of houses x whatever value.

Can a accountant set up a s corp or does it need to be a lawyer?

Originally Posted by Semo Scrapper

Can a accountant set up a s corp or does it need to be a lawyer?

Anyone can do it.

I had t-shirts made also. I used Vista Print for business cards and for the t-shirts.

I also used those stick on letters from Wal-mart to put my business name and web address on.

And planning on getting bigger in the future - I have a vanity toll-free number.

I also put some before and after pics up on my site and in my advertising so others can see the work I've done.

If your in business long enough (important goal) and your visable (you advertise). The chance of being sued are more likely than not being sued. Trust me you don't even have to do anything wrong, you could be named in a lawsuit just because you worked on a property or for who you worked for! It's a sad fact in today's gone crazy world. Rusty Nuts & Parrothead I second NHscrapman good advice! It's good to have someone that can answer the phone for you, message services are not that expensive. Very professional when your out working hard and can't answer the phone. Mr.or Mrs. is out of the office, how may I help you! (first impressions goes a long way).