There comes a time.

There comes a time in every ones life where a life changing decision has to be made.
I think maybe that time has come for me after 57 years of work. most fun ,some not so fun.
Over the last 2 months I have made some rookie mistakes that some one who's business affects others should not make.
I'm 71 and have the usual physical problems the road hard and put away wet life style earns you.

The bulk of my business has been servers most weigh between 165 and 600 lbs. I can no longer handle these like I could just a short year ago.

Don't get me wrong, I love this business, wish I had discovered it 20 yrs ago, but, as I said, when my mistakes start to affect others some deep soul searching is in order. Plus now that some one else is creaming the goodies from my servers I have to ask the question. Is it worth it to manhandle a 600 lb server for a 8 or 12 dollar mother board.

As a middle tier buyer the profit margin is so low it does not allow for even a small mistake.

Is it time to hang it up? That is really a rhetorical question sense my decision has probably already been made. I don't have the deep pockets to provide the proper service to my customers, so when I make even the slightest mistake it cost us all, me in $$, them in time.
This is not something I can accept with good conscience (how ever you spell it)
I will keep my hand in for a while until I figure out something or, a service I can both provide and handle properly in my present condition. I already have a couple of Ideas in mind.

In today's market I just cannot do the work my self to my satisfaction and apparently can't hire it done. Over the next week I will settle the few business bills I have and stand back and take a long hard look at what I can do and most importantly, what I can't.

Sincerely,
Michael C. Wier

You know what, I admire people who can step back and honestly assess their situation as time does change things. My grandfather parked his car one day in the yard, said he was too old to drive (he was right), and never drove again. I still respect his decision. It wasn't self-pity, just a rational decision. I believe it gave us more yrs with him, for which I am still grateful.

Hopefully whatever changes/adjustments you identify and make, in the long run, will enable you to continue doing what you choose many yrs longer. The old work smarter, not harder has a lot of truth to it. Unfortunately most of us dont appreciate the meaning until damage has been done.

Anyway, excuse my rambling, I wish you all the best...you are a mentor at SMF, a role I hope you never give up! Keep us posted!~

My grandfather taught me: Retirement is for tired people, if you are not tired don't retire and if you are tired you will know it's time! Olddude only you can answer that question, is it time? You have many post in this forum, all of them indicating that you are a man of integrity and hard work. You have my respect and I'm sure those that matter the most, it's your decision and best wishes.

Retirement is not a bad thing......My dad has been retired for years and is still active.......He has multiple hobbies, travels, and even works with me several days a week........Retirement can be a beginning not an end........I have burnt myself on ewaste but I have bills and am so deep into it I can't get out so I continue on!!!

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Originally Posted by olddude

Over the next week I will settle the few business bills I have and stand back and take a long hard look at what I can do and most importantly, what I can't.

Sincerely,
Michael C. Wier

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I was over some friends to grill out last night. This is a couple I have known for about 30 years. Steve and I both, ran our own business, for many years. They have 8 children and I had 7.

Our conversation relived some of the good times, and very hard times, over those years. The conversation then went to, lets say, current events in our lives. We all seem to be at that point, and dealing with the challenge, of "learning to live with limitations". While our minds know how to, our bodies can't do, what we used to.

What I have come to in my life, in learning to live with my limitations, is this...I am content with a sufficiency.

Many times I have seen you post something like, "go big or go home". Like you, I love everything about this trade, but I passed on a number of opportunities to "go big" and instead "work at home". By being content with a sufficiency, I am able to be free, on many different levels. I hope to make it to 75, or 85, but that is less likely, if I would keep driving myself, beyond my limitations.

So, I hope as you stand back and take that long hard look, you are at peace, with whatever your decision is, for the future.

Just keep sharing your wisdom and experience with others. You have much to offer to the next generation!

Good luck and God Bless, Bro

Consider working with customers on a revenue share arrangement. No payment up front. Analyze the load and pay a percentage dependent on the return & amount of work involved. Your good name will get you the loads. Your honesty will keep the business flowing. Hire some part time help to do the lifting. Spin has deposited his $.02.

Hi Old Dude,

Since we met in person and this was not shared on the forum, a different perspective will be offered. This is being shared on the forum instead of a PM because it is believed others might benefit. Redirection of your knowledge and talents is in order. There are many troubled youth out there that could benefit from your experience.

As a retired public educator, I guarantee your insights would be valuable to many kids. Approach a school, probation officers, Boys Clubs, YMCA's, Big Brothers, etc. and offer your services. Be up front and tell them you are looking to mentor the next generation. I had a teacher that worked with troubled kids and offered students the opportunity to tear things apart as a reward for a good week. This motivation helped his students excel academically.

Long story short, your experience combined with youth will allow you to continue your love and benefit future generations. As you know, my present project is right in line with what I preach. By the way tell your brother hi.

I hope whatever you decide you are happy.I am sorry that you can physically do it anymore.
I wish i new how do do escrap there seems to be decent money in it if you know what u are doing.

Olddude, I admire any person that can look at themselves and say its time to slow down or stop the physical work that we do. "Fist bump." I just hope that when I come to that age of wisdom, I will do the same. I have for a few years loved reading and learning from your posts and have learned even a little. If you were indeed a teacher of some sort, like patriot stated, your love for this field very well could benefit the next generation, we have come to the age of recycling in our world now a days.

God bless you in your next chosen path.

PS, please keep up the posting though, your wisdom is greatly appreciated. :)

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Originally Posted by Focker

I hope whatever you decide you are happy.I am sorry that you can physically do it anymore.
I wish i new how do do escrap there seems to be decent money in it if you know what u are doing.

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Ewaste is alot more difficult than people think........Be prepared to work 12-15 hour days............Be prepared to handle items multiple times..........be prepared for storage issues........True a living can be made at this and a decent one at that but Ewaste is not like picking up a stove and dumping it at the scrap yard...........If you don't know what you are doing you could scrap a $400 computer and not even know it...........Ewaste is a very physically taxing job as it is true that moving a 30lb computer is not hard but when multiplied by 100 it becomes a lot of work...........I feel olddude's pain but I am half his age so it is not time for me to retire yet...........

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Originally Posted by mikeinreco

Ewaste is alot more difficult than people think........Be prepared to work 12-15 hour days............Be prepared to handle items multiple times..........be prepared for storage issues........True a living can be made at this and a decent one at that but Ewaste is not like picking up a stove and dumping it at the scrap yard...........If you don't know what you are doing you could scrap a $400 computer and not even know it...........Ewaste is a very physically taxing job as it is true that moving a 30lb computer is not hard but when multiplied by 100 it becomes a lot of work...........I feel olddude's pain but I am half his age so it is not time for me to retire yet...........

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One of my favorite posts in quite some time, and something newbies would be wise to consider. Knowing to quickly spot that $50 dollar CPU or $200 computer is a big part of making this profitable. And not wasting time looking up the model numbers for every P4 you get. I'm pretty worn out when I have to drive an hour for a load of 50 computers and then unload them. The money per pound is better than your core metals, but how much you make really depends on how much you learn.

And OldDude, your story has been an inspiration to me on these forms. I'm still deciding what niche I'd like to concentrate on. I have deeper pockets than some, and do pretty well at E-Waste, but I have very limited time. I'm still learning as I go. I've heard that a business man never says on his deathbed that he wished he spent more time at work - so whatever you work towards pursuing, make it meaningful and have passion. Also, kuddos on looking to close out financially and pay the bills on the way out rather than sticking others. I have great respect for responsibility, and it's obvious you take that seriously. Best of luck!

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Originally Posted by foobar

One of my favorite posts in quite some time, and something newbies would be wise to consider. Knowing to quickly spot that $50 dollar CPU or $200 computer is a big part of making this profitable. And not wasting time looking up the model numbers for every P4 you get. I'm pretty worn out when I have to drive an hour for a load of 50 computers and then unload them. The money per pound is better than your core metals, but how much you make really depends on how much you learn.

And OldDude, your story has been an inspiration to me on these forms. I'm still deciding what niche I'd like to concentrate on. I have deeper pockets than some, and do pretty well at E-Waste, but I have very limited time. I'm still learning as I go. I've heard that a business man never says on his deathbed that he wished he spent more time at work - so whatever you work towards pursuing, make it meaningful and have passion. Also, kuddos on looking to close out financially and pay the bills on the way out rather than sticking others. I have great respect for responsibility, and it's obvious you take that seriously. Best of luck!

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Agreed I bought a pallet yesterday that I thought was fair dual core computers.......Paid a little above scrap but I figured I could sell some.........Got them to storage facility and found an i5 with 4gb ram and 320 gb hard drive in great condition.........CHA CHING......Sells for minimum of 200 on EBAY

I have not been on the forum for very long and for sometime before that I was just fumbling along learning by my mistakes. When I "discovered" the forum I was inspired by the friendship, helpfulness and honesty of all of you Senior Members and I enjoy reading so many of the posts of great finds and of new adventures. While I don't have the mileage on me that olddude has I feel his pain because I too cannot do some things that used to come so easy to me in my youth. I wish oldude the best of luck and hope that he will hang around with us and tell us of some more of his adventures to come regardless of what decision he settles on. Thanks

well in that case i will just stick with cars lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by olddude

There comes a time in every ones life where a life changing decision has to be made.
I think maybe that time has come for me after 57 years of work. most fun ,some not so fun.
Over the last 2 months I have made some rookie mistakes that some one who's business affects others should not make.
I'm 71 and have the usual physical problems the road hard and put away wet life style earns you.

The bulk of my business has been servers most weigh between 165 and 600 lbs. I can no longer handle these like I could just a short year ago.

Don't get me wrong, I love this business, wish I had discovered it 20 yrs ago, but, as I said, when my mistakes start to affect others some deep soul searching is in order. Plus now that some one else is creaming the goodies from my servers I have to ask the question. Is it worth it to manhandle a 600 lb server for a 8 or 12 dollar mother board.

As a middle tier buyer the profit margin is so low it does not allow for even a small mistake.

Is it time to hang it up? That is really a rhetorical question sense my decision has probably already been made. I don't have the deep pockets to provide the proper service to my customers, so when I make even the slightest mistake it cost us all, me in $$, them in time.
This is not something I can accept with good conscience (how ever you spell it)
I will keep my hand in for a while until I figure out something or, a service I can both provide and handle properly in my present condition. I already have a couple of Ideas in mind.

In today's market I just cannot do the work my self to my satisfaction and apparently can't hire it done. Over the next week I will settle the few business bills I have and stand back and take a long hard look at what I can do and most importantly, what I can't.

Sincerely,
Michael C. Wier

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Sir
First you are a gentleman and a teacher so much you have taught and given (In life and here on SMF).

The question is can SMF be any more greatful for you input - The answer is NO.

The question of ''can't hire it done' - Some younger person near you is thinking as we read 'I want to do something that i like if only i could find what it is and more importantly some one to help/teach me'.

Stand back and think - Yes thats how you feel - How i feel is 'You have more to give than you have ever taken and i believe EVEN more to give (In a different role')

There is too few 'goodguys' in this world and too few people who 'care'.

With respect and a hope that you find a truely positive outcome.
Regards
British

British - Some people under estimate themselves or the effect on others.....

I hear what your saying Mike and I hope you find that balance of doing what you want to do and staying active until the end of time.

I've been thru several career paths in my life and always grabbed the bull by the horns each time. With scrapping I have had to pull the reins back a few times and remind myself that I walked away from the construction biz for a simpler, less stressful life. Now recycling isn't always simple but the caveman approach can and will get the job done and put a good $$ money in your pocket. I don't want the hassle of employees anymore so if I can't get the job done myself or with a little help from my son every now and again...I pass.