The 10 Commandment of scrapping

1. Be respectful, don't smash and grab. You are dishonoring the trade and leaving a bad example of what we do.

2. Be professional. You are doing a service to the environment and making some cash as well. Be proud of it.

3. Never ever steal. No amount of scrap is worth getting locked up for. Think of those you love, what would they think

4. Only pay for scrap if you truly have to.

5. Set up a network and build good communication with your surroundings. Get some business cards.

6. (Almost like #1) Don't make a mess of your work area or anyone else's for that matter. Everything counts.

7. If you use the Internet to get freebies, brush up on your writing skills. It helps with clients/customer.

8. Don't be in a rush, scrapers drive slow and look fast. You cover a lot of grounds that way.

9. Educate yourself on your craft so when you speak about your trade, you will sound knowledgable/smart.

10. Take the time to teach another scraper how to do things the RIGHT way.

Pass this on to as many current and up and coming scrapers as possible. Add to the list if necessary.

I like number 5, and number 5. network network network, I like the rest to but I really like number 5

Number 3 should be #1, and include because it's wrong

Commandment #11 you are a scrapper not a scraper. Rappers are not rapers... well most -you get the point.

title should read my 10 commandments not the 10 commandments ...

Point taken, but you get the message or do you need tutoring?

Why is that, you don't have any set rules?

Hey guys, regardless of typos and what-not, you all get the point. If all some are doing is making a mess, they are just messing it up for the rest of us. Also, people will not see us in a good light and will likely consider us as some sort of scavengers. How many of us have ever come across an appliance like a tv all smashed up just to get the yolk? Well, that's what I'm talking about.

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Originally Posted by Russell

Commandment #11 you are a scrapper not a scraper. Rappers are not rapers... well most -you get the point.

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Dang Russell, you beat me to it.

I scrap copper, not coper. Wonder why no on ever pulls that one wrong

I DO like your List but will add that yes, the correct number of "P's" does make all the difference...Rule #7.

And of coarse getting Scrap for the price of your Minimum Overhead (#4) is always good, paying for it does put you in the drivers seat and can cut down on time wasted running around looking for it.

#11. Spell "scrapping" correctly. :-)

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Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Dang Russell, you beat me to it.

I scrap copper, not coper. Wonder why no on ever pulls that one wrong

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I'm to blame for this lol, the mobile page is good but I'm still getting used to touch screen phones and predictive text. So pardon my finger sliding grammar and tinny screens.

Number 3# is our main one. tons of scrap and e waste around. knocking on a door is a great time pass along a biz card and flyer.

i like #4

4. Only pay for scrap if you truly have to.

I buy most of my scrap. Relying upon free scrap would not be enough volume to run my operation.

I guess we can make an argument to buy or not to buy scrap. Whatever the case, as long as you come out on top, that's all that counts. In regards to the typo, those **** auto spell can be a menace but since when did a bunch of English teachers get on the SMF?

Well, rule #7 does say to brush up on your writing skills - I count proper spelling and grammar as part of good writing skills.

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Originally Posted by TheRecycler

since when did a bunch of English teachers got on the SMF?

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Weren't you a teacher at one time?

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Originally Posted by jghilino

i like #4

4. Only pay for scrap if you truly have to.

I buy most of my scrap. Relying upon free scrap would not be enough volume to run my operation.

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I 2nd that ! Yes free scrap is sweet but few and far in between and almost never in any size able amount. I too buy most of my scrap, making a percent of something always beats making 100% of nothing !

Yeap, sure was, in math though. Numbers are my thing and that's why I quit teaching, the numbers didn't add up. You get the point..

Stupid auto spell checkers get me all the time if I'm sending a text. Yes I meant to type OKIE DOKIE! Grr. Countless others it'll try an correct be, enough to drive you nuts.

An I like'm to, an no..I won't go all spell/grammar police on you. Far as where they all came from..Everyone has a inner "I'm an english teacher!" just waiting to come out. lol. :p

Sirscrapalot - I found a seashell. In my foot. $%^#!

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Originally Posted by Sirscrapalot

Stupid auto spell checkers get me all the time if I'm sending a text. Yes I meant to type OKIE DOKIE! Grr. Countless others it'll try an correct be, enough to drive you nuts.

An I like'm to, an no..I won't go all spell/grammar police on you. Far as where they all came from..Everyone has a inner . lol. :p

Sirscrapalot - I found a seashell. In my foot. $%^#!

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"I'm an english teacher!" just waiting to come out

That's some funny sh@t

Not to be a crap ax but I dont really agree with#10. Here on SMF, I like to help out others but the local Compitition, No. I wouldnt help them. Its like telling everyone there is gold in them hills. Just my 2 cents

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Originally Posted by greytruck

Not to be a crap ax but I dont really agree with#10. Here on SMF, I like to help out others but the local Compitition, No. I wouldnt help them. Its like telling everyone there is gold in them hills. Just my 2 cents

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You mean there isn't?? :(

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Originally Posted by greytruck

Not to be a crap ax but I dont really agree with#10. Here on SMF, I like to help out others but the local Compitition, No. I wouldnt help them. Its like telling everyone there is gold in them hills. Just my 2 cents

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Couldn't agree more, I don't mind giving someone in Ohio a heads up or another way to max out but telling someone is my completion that ends up hurting my bottom line. And to be quite truthful Ill never admit all my trade secrets to anyone cept family.

Well, Tater, I guarantee by giving info on here you are helping your local competition.

My former "partner" was giving secrets- my secrets away, people on this forum probably don't even know. He was trying to be nice to help someone out but ended up really only slitting my throat. My main source of scrap basically is now gone in a twist of irony because of the person I was trying to help, helped someone else. Its ok to share common knowledge and help good people get started, but let them figure most of it on their own. Its not being dishonest its self preservation.

You know it's kinda funny but it seems like everyone that I've shown how to scrap has never stuck with it. It was easy in the warm weather, but snow, rain and scrap prices dropping scared them off for some reason. Wait....I know what it was...WORK! :)

Yeah, must people bail after they learn scrapping is more than a "get rich quick without working" scheme. Plus high fuel costs, lots of ignorant competition(spelling ? So sue me), and actually having to work weeds out the weak, or separates the men from the boys. Just a figure of speech, lady's, no offense intended.

#11 beer fridge

gotta have beer in the shop/garage, and what scrapper out there is gonna pay for a fridge, we are picking them up all the time for free

I know this is an old thread, but I would like to add one to the list. I am assuming there can be more than 10 Commandments. Perhaps they could be called Suggestions (or Recommendations) rather than Commandments, which sounds like hard and fast rules and some people don't like being bound by rules.

But my idea is: Follow Your Instincts. For instance, if someone tells you they've got something for you to pick up that sounds interesting, but they are 100 miles away, the weather is bad, and it sounds like they've been drinking too much, you might want to ask them to text you some photos first before making the drive. Or even "Just say no"- as Nancy Reagan used to say.

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Originally Posted by recyclersteve

For instance, if someone tells you they've got something for you to pick up that sounds interesting

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Once someone said they had a oven for scrap. Ok, ill grab it. He says its in the driveway, just take it. I get there and its a dang toaster oven, Would have stayed home if i knew what it really was

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Originally Posted by greytruck

Once someone said they had a oven for scrap. Ok, ill grab it. He says its in the driveway, just take it. I get there and its a dang toaster oven, Would have stayed home if i knew what it really was

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There is a gamble in scrap pick up's. I'm sure we all have had our share of "why did I agree to this?"

It's all about averages, everyday can't be a big scoreo:)

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Originally Posted by TheRecycler

Why is that, you don't have any set rules?

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My one and only rule - Get er done.

The issue of spelling is a minor thing compared to the whole content. The intention was good, but I must agree the word "the" in the title could have been better with a "my". I like the list. No harm in sharing this, or adding some to our own personal rules.

One commandment not mentioned on this thread and it is one I need to deal with myself to be safe:

Get a TETANUS shot!