The Problem with Winter

Good to see another Montana scrapper on this forum! I agree winters can be brutal, not to mention scrap prices typically take a dive in the winter as well. I try to combat this by staying active. I have a Facebook page that I try to post to once a week or so. It helps keep people engaged and it is free advertising. I also post my services on the local FB buy sell pages. I don't get a lot of traffic, but every little bit helps. Do you post on Craigslist? I have seen an ad for the Billings area. Is that you? My only other advice is to reach out to customers you have serviced in the past and see if they have anything. People seem to hibernate up here in winter and sometimes if you prod nicely they can come through for you.
I see there are a couple of other threads on the forum covering this topic. Try searching winter scrapping and see if you can get some more ideas! Happy Scrapping!

A good business plan is needed for those of us up north that scrap year round full time. There are three priorities in the winter with my strategy. First is preparing metal for when prices are good. This is when I do the majority of my torching because there is less risk of fires and burning is a pleasant activity on a cold day. This is when #1 and #2 piles are created. Second is maintenance of tools and equipment, building trailers and other items making life easier in nice weather, and research. This is a great time to shop for equipment as well with less competition and sellers that need to move stuff. If machinery will start in the cold you can count on it later in the year. A lot of time is spent on the forum refining my skills and strategies. Last is PR. Since many rural individuals tend to stay close to home at this time of year, it is easy to introduce myself and find out more about my neighbors.

During good weather I like to haul as fast as possible when prices are good. Therefore all of my nonferrous is stockpiled to be sorted during the winter. Four years ago I hauled as much during the cold months as I did during the warm months because the prices were good. Since then I have followed this seasonal business plan. The key is to plan ahead for lean times.