Well I'm again Jobless

I'm jobless again, so starting monday i'm going to work metal recycling as a job for one full week just like a 9 to 5 job, and see how I do. can't be any worse than the crapy deadend jobs I've been working trying to make a buck for my family... I'll post my finds and what not at the end of the day and let every one know how it all goes. I have a bussiness flyer made up and I'll work CL off and on. All I can do is hope for the best like I said can't be any worse than what I've been threw now I know how my dad felt when I rember looking at him growing up. Oh well live and learn.

Also print up some "cheap business cards" that is easier to hand out when your just talking and interfacing with people.
If you need info on how to do this just let me know. There's no easy answer in this economy,,,

Good luck to you scrappinDaddy.....we're pulling for you !!!

I dont think a week is long enough for a good test, also watch expences like starbucks coffee, lunch, and fuel. when looking for scrap know where you are going before you go. otherwise you will spend all day windshield shopping and spend fule money. just my .02 call the trash people and find out their scheduals, where they are going to be on what day etc.

flyers on cars, or even mail boxes and business cards do help!

also, check out my threads for some ideas on places.

How easy it for you to find old batteries?

Putting flyers in mail boxes is illegal and considered fraud.

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Originally Posted by Helijac

How easy it for you to find old batteries?

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Are you making a suggestion to ScrapingDaddy?

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Originally Posted by Mick

Putting flyers in mail boxes is illegal and considered fraud.

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Is that just for scrappers? What would be the different in having the post office put them in everyone's mail?

Now that I think of it, you are referring to the fact if we personally put them in the mail box? In that case, I would agree. That is a federal crime to go into someone else's mail box without permission.

But it is not illegal to use the post office, as a scrap company here does that periodically.

It has to do with not paying postage and their loss of revenue. Of course, if you want to make a mass mailing...

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Originally Posted by Mick

It has to do with not paying postage and their loss of revenue. Of course, if you want to make a mass mailing...

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Well I know a few restaurants, that do that. Like I said, they just put them in the crevice of your door lol

My plan is to hand out a ton or flyers and go by bussiness I've seen that I've had that good gut feeling about. and post up on msg boards at restaurants and stores. I think I'll do okay well hope alest...

I am a mailman by day so yes dont put them in the mailbox. You can tape them to the outside of it if you like just dont put them inside. If you want a cheap way to do a direct mailer go to https://smp.usps.gov/. It costs like 14 cents a piece to mail them out.

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Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper

I am a mailman by day so yes dont put them in the mailbox. You can tape them to the outside of it if you like just dont put them inside. If you want a cheap way to do a direct mailer go to https://smp.usps.gov/. It costs like 14 cents a piece to mail them out.

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Could you PM or I PM you? I have a question regarding Direct Mailers, but dont want to get off topic.

First off, flyers on vehicles are a no-go. You want flyers in places where your target demographic are going to take the time to see it. I.E. you want home and business owners to take time to look at your flyer and actually get something from it.

Best places to post these types of flyers, Break rooms in manufacturing plants, laundromats, grocery stores, car washes. I mean think about it, all the places people spend atleast a good hour or more, and you know they are people of initiative and detail. They're waxing their cars, reading lists, working... You get the point. Make them perforated so people can tear off a little strip with your number on it.

Business cards are only good if you're going to start a conversation first. A lot of people have those cork boards in their local shops, kind of like a business card exchange. Don't do it. No one can take the card, most people frequent those businesses as in and out customers. It's pointless. Don't waste paper, ink, and funds. Start a conversation, if it lasts longer than 60 seconds, pitch a card out.

Advertising is crucial. Craigslist does work. Don't try putting up posts in the wanted or appliance section. Most people will either think you're a scammer or your local competition will flag it off, because they get flagged off. It's a peeing contest and vicious cycle of whiny nonsense. Post your ads in small business and labor/moving.
Also, on the topic of CL, trying to make a mad dash for free scrap on there is mostly pointless unless you have an RSS reader. Get one, google the concept, and set it up for scrap metal so you're the first to know of posts. That's money every time.

Also I can't say it enough, depending on your moderator, freecycle is amazing for scrap metal. Some communities are small and intersocial and might not allow you to post. Check with your local moderator first and if you can post, give it hell. It does work and it works well.

Get to know your local trash route. For the first few weeks your stinking 8 hour day isn't going to cut it. You need to know the best neighborhoods. Ones that have dumpsters and one's that do curb side. You need to know what neighborhoods you can frequent and what one's will get johnny law involved ASAP. You also need to learn who you're competition is. Don't think you're the first one on the block with a truck and you're going to go out there and make a name right away. Prices for junk are high right now. Every idiot with a hatchback to pick-up truck is out there trying to hussle up a buck until junk falls. Learn this and cope with it right away. The most persistent and diligent with the most connections are the ones cleaning up right now.

Also hit up local business, be prepared to eat doodie. Most business will have a scrap metal person, but those who don't usually don't realize they need one or think scrap is worthless. Be professional but don't show your cards on the first pitch. You don't want to turn a non-scrap savvy business owner into a greedy metal hoarder. You want business owners to feel like you're doing them a favor and you don't want them to feel inconvenienced. Dress professional, get in there, tell them what you do and ask if you can help, give them a list of scrap items you take, and get out. Don't spend half the day there.

Last of all, E-business, learn what you can sell online and what you can't. E-scrap is the bomb right now. Find junk computers, put in some work for yourself. Any time you have a load of scrap, double check everything with ebay and ubid. It's not just scrap, sometimes it's antique or a replacement part. You never know. Also, find someone who can make you a website. Websites sell. They show people that you're current with the times. I don't know how many people have pulled me aside the minute I've met them and asked about my website or complimented me on it, and mine is pretty mediocre. It's a new age for scrapping. You have your older fellas with a flatbed and some tow dollys looking to torch cars and then you have guys like us with websites, Smart phones, small pick-ups, and print outs of google maps.

Follow my advice, you will succeed. I did.

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Originally Posted by TheFatMan

Advertising is crucial. Craigslist does work. Don't try putting up posts in the wanted or appliance section. Most people will either think you're a scammer or your local competition will flag it off, because they get flagged off. It's a peeing contest and vicious cycle of whiny nonsense. Post your ads in small business and labor/moving.
Also, on the topic of CL, trying to make a mad dash for free scrap on there is mostly pointless unless you have an RSS reader. Get one, google the concept, and set it up for scrap metal so you're the first to know of posts. That's money every time.

Also I can't say it enough, depending on your moderator, freecycle is amazing for scrap metal. Some communities are small and intersocial and might not allow you to post. Check with your local moderator first and if you can post, give it hell. It does work and it works well.

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When your setting up an RSS feeder, is there a way to set it up for it just to send posts specifically dealing with scrap metal items? My free section can get between 50 to 100 posts or more a day.

Regarding FREECYCLE, how do you use that to collect scrap metal? Just follow the posts of people getting rid of appliances?

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Originally Posted by GeorgeB

When your setting up an RSS feeder, is there a way to set it up for it just to send posts specifically dealing with scrap metal items? My free section can get between 50 to 100 posts or more a day.

Regarding FREECYCLE, how do you use that to collect scrap metal? Just follow the posts of people getting rid of appliances?

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Yes, there's a way to set it up to filter just the ads about metal. They have free services and pay services that do this. They even have mobile versions for your phone. I cut so many throats this way when I'm out running trash and a curb alert pops up. Google it. I could explain it, but It's like typing a novel of nerdom.

Regarding freecycle, you can post wanted ads if you want certain items. I just post a wanted ad for metal and then put a long list of things I'll pick up from silverware to cars.

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Originally Posted by TheFatMan

Yes, there's a way to set it up to filter just the ads about metal. They have free services and pay services that do this. They even have mobile versions for your phone. I cut so many throats this way when I'm out running trash and a curb alert pops up. Google it. I could explain it, but It's like typing a novel of nerdom.

Regarding freecycle, you can post wanted ads if you want certain items. I just post a wanted ad for metal and then put a long list of things I'll pick up from silverware to cars.

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I just have to figure out how to set it up for that, in outlook. Also will need to see how to set it up for my nokia e71 which is a smart phone.

I am constantly on the free section looking for metal. That is how I quickly grabbed almost $400 over the weekend.

FatMan...Very well thought out, thanks for the above posts.

Thanks fat man , thanks for understanding what us newbies are going through ... just what i needed to know, That has to be the post of the month =) thanks again
TETANUS