Just a little nervous I guess

Hello everyone - Today is my first local scrap yard trip and I find myself a little bit nervous. Top contributors to this would be 1) This is my first time with a decent amount to sell. 2) Still a little hazy on how I should have it sorted, how far it should be broken down, what some things are, etc., 3) the fact that I am a female. (Not to mention a female that is shooting straight to this yard right after my office job so I am dressed business casual) What approach should I take? Obviously the timid, unsure of herself scrapper that I sometimes find myself appearing outwardly is just going to get me ripped off or cause some sort of other trouble (like when I fly off the handle because some one asks me if I know how to check my blinker fluid or that's not copper - that's colored steel or something to that effect) I'm over exaggerating of course but hopefully I've made my concerns clear. Any help advice is always appreciated!!!

I know I need to just suck it up but I appreciate the tough love approach too! No offense will be taken!

blinker fluid's easy, i just pay em at the shop to check mine I'd suggest taking it slowly at first (not taking Everything at once) Maybe just your various copper piles today, Aluminum tomorrow, etc. I saw another suggestion that is advisable too, he recommended weighing the higher grades first, which is a very good way to do, because anything they say is lower grade, just say ok, and toss it into the next bucket ; )

you will be fine, just dont ruin your nice clothes. Also when your putting a bucket or tote of lets say Alum sheet on the scale, I always say what i got. If it was sorted wrong they would seperate it. I messed up with Alum sheet and alum extrusion back in the day, all mixed togeather. That was my second or third trip to the yard. Good luck and have fun

Originally Posted by rca987

Hehe blinker fluid.. Used that one on my wife one time... also to rotate the air in the tires

You'll be fine.

You know what always gets me no matter what? Point to the ground and say "you dropped your pocket" - I'll be looking at the ground (not necessarily for my pocket but for something)- never fail. One guy I knew in school just pointed to the ground and i would look ~ skipped out on the vocals just pointed.

You'll be fine. Yard guys will be falling over each other to assist the pretty girl. I witness this all the time (not just at scrap yards).

I agree you will be fine my wife also goes for me all the time never any probs. Actually i think she gets paid more than i do. LOL

That's one thing you can do - tell them your husband/boyfriend sent you, but that you're interested in learning. See what they'll tell ya.

So... how did it go?

Originally Posted by Julie

Hello everyone - Today is my first local scrap yard trip and I find myself a little bit nervous. Top contributers to this would be 1) This is my first time with a decient amount to sell. 2) Still a little hazy on how I should have it sorted, how far it should be broken down, what some things are, etc., 3) the fact that I am a female. (Not to mention a female that is shooting straight to this yard right after my office job so I am dressed business casual) What approach should I take? Obviously the timid, unsure of herself scrapper that I sometimes find myself appearing outwardly is just going to get me ripped off or cause some sort of other trouble (like when I fly off the handle because some one asks me if I know how to check my blinker fluid or that's not copper - that's colored steel or something to that effect) I'm overexaggerating of course but hopefully I've made m concerns clear. Any help advice is always appreciated!!!

I felt this way the first time I had to get my vehicle weighed in.
After I got weighed in, unloaded and paid I felt silly for being so anxious.

Originally Posted by rca987

Oh no! My pocket has a hole in it and I think it may have fell out today!

Where?!?! I'll help you find it!!!!

Mixed feeling about the trip... I drove across town to a yard and they seemed nice enough - they waited for me to get there before they closed. Found out that they are starting to collect ewaste so i threw my best pitch in there for towers. Unsuccessful attempt but at least i tried! They're selling all of their ewaste to that CEAR company which lead me here in the first place. CEAR must have every resource anywhere near me locked down - and making a killing on it! Shouldn't be a hater if it isn't hurting me directly though. I took bear's advice and just took one type of scrap - the steel & aluminum (i guess that's 2 but still easily monitored). After waiting 30min (which wasn't a big deal) my boyfriend and I unloaded our truck, they weighed it and I made a whopping $27.02. Looking at the receipt I weighed in with 35lbs of dirty aluminum and 296lbs of tin. I was a little confused and when i asked their answer was "it doesn't count as steel because it's too thin - steel is thicker like you know..." not providing any example just trailing off. Is that true? Or did I get taken?