Question about rural clients

So, I took a drive out to a pretty rural area 20 minutes from my house just to see if I could find any old dump sites that might still contain old appliances (Because of the high dump fees at my local dump, people just dump there stuff in the woods). Anyway, I noticed a bunch of the properties in the area had large amounts of scrap metal laying everywhere and hasn't been touched in years. There is enough scrap metal on this one 3 mile stretch of road to keep me and my father-in-law busy for at least 3 or 4 months.

I'm putting together a plan of action to approach all of these folks and explain what I do. I would appreciate any feedback from those who have approached rural folks with this much scrap metal on their property. Do you find it difficult to get these folks to part with their scrap metal? If so, what have you done to overcome their initial objections. Is there a particular way in which I should approach them? Thanks in advance for any responses.

Happy scrapping

Take business cards and or flyers with you when you go to talk to them. At first they may not be willing to deal with you but if they have a way to get a hold of you, they may change their mind after they think about it a while and contact you after the fact.

Depending on the amount there is, be prepared to toss them a little incentive, aka cash.

If there are "No Trespassing" signs around, stay away. If you step foot on their property even innocently, you can get into trouble, and I don't mean only by the law, you could be staring down the barrel of a shot gun if your not careful. They put those signs up for a reason, respect their privacy.

Being a respectful and personable person will go far with a lot of old timers and the youngsters as well.

Good luck.

first, always be polite, thats a given. explain honestly what you do, and let them know you would like to help them clean up junk and recycle it.

make sure they know you dont want any money from them, that you would like to exchange your service for the junk they let you have, and if they dont accept your offer, just be polite, offer them your card and keep it moving. that will give them time to reconsider and also give them time to see exactly what a great job you did helping their neighbors out.

good luck, i wish we had miles and piles over here in jersey, its a tight market though, too many people

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Originally Posted by CMHN

Take business cards and or flyers with you when you go to talk to them. At first they may not be willing to deal with you but if they have a way to get a hold of you, they may change their mind after they think about it a while and contact you after the fact.

Depending on the amount there is, be prepared to toss them a little incentive, aka cash.

If there are "No Trespassing" signs around, stay away. If you step foot on their property even innocently, you can get into trouble, and I don't mean only by the law, you could be staring down the barrel of a shot gun if your not careful. They put those signs up for a reason, respect their privacy.

Being a respectful and personable person will go far with a lot of old timers and the youngsters as well.

Good luck.

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Agree with above, be super careful- if you stumble across someone's pot plants, meth lab or still - you could end up getting hurt.

Thanks to everyone who replied so far. I'm excited to get out there and start talking to people. Like everyone said, I'm going to be totally honest and transparent. Hopefully, my good-natured personality and honesty will put people at ease and allow me to get on their good side. Even if they don't give me permission at first, they will have my information in hand. Maybe they don't need my services, but will recommend me to their neighbors. I will let everyone know how this works out. I plan on approaching some of them next week.

Even if they say no, plant the seed, give them a card and check back every month or two. Wouldn't hurt to tell them to call you even if they just have questions.

I have done lots and lots of rural scrapping, here is what works for me: Approach the house on a Sunday afternoon 2pm ish (most folks home/no football yet), bring the oldest vehicle you have and wear plain working man clothes. Opening question "What is the story on ......(car/appliances)" never say junk etc..Offer free removal if it is a small quantity, a bit of the action if it is a larger amount. Do a good job and always complement them on their nice place. Let word of mouth do the rest. I have had clean-ups that went for years on and off in areas.

You'll find rural clients much better to deal with than city folk. They respect a person who is out to make his/her own way in the world. Good Luck.

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Originally Posted by Area67

I have done lots and lots of rural scrapping, here is what works for me: Approach the house on a Sunday afternoon 2pm ish (most folks home/no football yet), bring the oldest vehicle you have and wear plain working man clothes. Opening question "What is the story on ......(car/appliances)" never say junk etc..Offer free removal if it is a small quantity, a bit of the action if it is a larger amount. Do a good job and always complement them on their nice place. Let word of mouth do the rest. I have had clean-ups that went for years on and off in areas.

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I agree....plain clothes, old truck (even if you have to barrow them) Same reason you don't get dressed up to go to a car dealership. Your just asking for it!!

I'm not sure about "stills" in OR, but you never know. I think that's definitely a southern thing though.

stills and pot are every where not jus down here. but here ya can still get a warning shot across the bow if you happen to go too far down the wrong road : ).
there are rural people like me. then there are farmers, farmers have a long standing tridition of never getting rid of any thing, never know when it might come in handy to fix something , but still dosent hurt to ask.

I've been running around in these woods and rivers and swamps and bayous my whole life and never once have I ever run across anyone with a still. Never even heard of one around here. But I guess it is possible. Now meth labs are a whole different story.
The rural folk, the friendly country type would listen to what you have to offer. Some would be glad to have the stuff removed. Others are attached to for whatever reason. Just remember politeness, honesty, a firm handshake, and look em in the eye when you're dealing with em. Some may call it "old fashion". I call "respect". And it goes a long way with most folks even still today. Good luck.

Rocksalt hurts bad (don't ask..it was a long while back).

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Originally Posted by ScrapperNJ26

I'm not sure about "stills" in OR, but you never know. I think that's definitely a southern thing though.

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honey, you're missing out........

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Originally Posted by ScrapperNJ26
I'm not sure about "stills" in OR, but you never know. I think that's definitely a southern thing though.
honey, you're missing out........

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I don't like the shine that smells like kerosene, it's just plain nasty.

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Originally Posted by Area67

Rocksalt hurts bad (don't ask..it was a long while back).

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ive heard about that, but never been hit with it

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Originally Posted by Mechanic688

I don't like the shine that smells like kerosene, it's just plain nasty.

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That was my experience with "Moonshine" I've tasted, and for all one knows it could actually BE Kerosene...I was thinking more tasted like gasoline the stuff I've tasted;)

Well I've only gone into rural areas right off roads where I'm carrying a bag for cans,
and only picking up obvious rusted junk, without asking first, but making it obvious I was cleaning up.

You could also wear a "John Deere" hat while asking (???):p

Was actually just thinking rural areas are GREAT for opening your own scrap-yard for few reasons (thoughts):
-The economy is bad, folks need extra money, the counties welcome new business too.
-Land to rent for it is cheaper with less hassles.
-Many folks there own trucks to haul scrap in themselves.
-Many folks there work construction/ production stuff to bring from work too.
-Local workers who live nearby will probably accept a little less pay, and be willing for part-time.
Etc.
Well my buddy lives in a rural area and there's a new scrap yard at the end of his street.
Got me thinking on it from experience with them. (they pay normal prices too, actually MORE for compressors so I save them for when I go there).
...He was amazed when I started hauling scrap from his yard, coming back with cash,
handing him 80% since I "just drove, they helped unload" ...He was handing me cash back, saying "no, take this, thanks for showing (teaching) me all this."
Good feeling.:cool:

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Originally Posted by Scrapette

honey, you're missing out........

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My dad worked with someone from WV and his son makes it. He brought a gallon up for me and dad and all i gotta say is WOW!!!! The 'shine he made was the smoothest liquor I have ever had. That's not saying much I'm only 27. Made a batch of Limoncello with a quart of it and it was great.

we always offer them some cash and usually get the haul. after we get done with what was in the yard or field we come back and give them a tip usually $10 or so and say we done a little better than we thought we would and see if they have anything else. we have gotten to pick thru barns and sheds and even gotten an old truck just because we went back and of course we pay them again for what we get :) we have only been scrapping since august or so and get several repeat calls and referrals. thats how we roll :) a side note since i joined all you guys on this site ive been scrapping less and computing more :)

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Originally Posted by DumbD

You could also wear a "John Deere" hat while asking (???):p
Was actually just thinking rural areas are GREAT for opening your own scrap-yard for few reasons (thoughts):
-The economy is bad, folks need extra money, the counties welcome new business too.
-Land to rent for it is cheaper with less hassles.
-Many folks there own trucks to haul scrap in themselves.
-Many folks there work construction/ production stuff to bring from work too.
-Local workers who live nearby will probably accept a little less pay, and be willing for part-time.
Etc.

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Sorry dude, but it sounds to me like you got the wrong idea about rural areas and country folk.
1: Not every one wears a "John Deere" hat.
2:The economy is no worse in rural areas than it is in the city.
3:If you think them folks are going to be jumping through hoops to haul their scrap in their trucks to you then ask yourself why haven't they already hauled it in. Maybe they do not want to let it go.
4: If many folks work construction/production then it sounds like the economy isn't too bad after all.
5:Why in the world would you think the local workers would work for less pay or want your part time work. I'm sure they're making much better money working their full time construction/production jobs.

Country folk are not country bumpkins. They're not stupid. And they're not going to work less hours for less pay just because they live out in the country. No sir. Country folk are some of the most honest, hard working, intelligent and dedicated people out there. I'd be careful going out and knocking on their doors with that mindset you have. Otherwise, you might just find out what that rocksalt is for yourself.