Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 27

Eyes to the ground pays off in a big way!!!!

| A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
  1. #1
    wayne1956 started this thread.
    wayne1956's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Cleburne, TX
    Posts
    705
    Thanks
    195
    Thanked 754 Times in 293 Posts

    Eyes to the ground pays off in a big way!!!!

    I always pick up any change on the ground, no matter if it is "just" a penny. A couple of times I have spied a $20, couple of times a $10, and several $5 and $1. Even one time thought I had found a $50 in a WalMart parking lot (it was folded like many of us do), but turns out it was an advertisement for a tax refund preparation office. A couple of days ago I was picking up a refrigerator and an oven from someone who had responded to my craigslist ad. Saw a piece of paper blowing in the wind beside my truck and picked it up. A nice $100 bill. And not an advertisement replica either. I looked upwind to see if anyone might be frantically looking, and saw nothing. A big first for me, and will probably be my only time. Strangest part is I was delayed taking off at my regular time from work for a half hour. If I had not been delayed, I would not have been in the right place at the right time, it would have been someone else doing the happy dance (figuratively, not literally. Sure does make one wonder though how a person goes about losing a $100 bill. I sure would be sick if it was me.

    Last edited by wayne1956; 02-04-2016 at 11:02 AM.

  2. The Following 8 Users say Thank You for This Post by wayne1956:



  3. #2
    bigburtchino's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,647
    Thanks
    4,388
    Thanked 2,835 Times in 1,132 Posts
    I'm a 100% looking for that lucky penny guy too, a big day is just a pre-1982 penny and a really big day is the increasing harder to find "Wheaties". Last month I was at a local hospital for a minor procedure, I'm never happy to be near those places. Coming out of the hospital I'm walking towards my truck and the wind blows a $10 bill right to me, that was a tremendous find for this scrapper.

  4. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by bigburtchino:


  5. #3
    Jonniebrass's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,007
    Thanks
    582
    Thanked 496 Times in 296 Posts
    I found 100 dollars once.
    Google first ask questions later!

  6. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Jonniebrass:


  7. #4
    nutpie's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2014
    Location
    maine
    Posts
    441
    Thanks
    379
    Thanked 404 Times in 227 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by wayne1956 View Post
    I always pick up any change on the ground, no matter if it is "just" a penny. A couple of times I have spied a $20, couple of times a $10, and several $5 and $1. Even one time thought I had found a $50 in a WalMart parking lot (it was folded like many of us do), but turns out it was an advertisement for a tax refund preparation office. A couple of days ago I was picking up a refrigerator and an oven from someone who had responded to my craigslist ad. Saw a piece of paper blowing in the wind beside my truck and picked it up. A nice $100 bill. And not an advertisement replica either. I looked upwind to see if anyone might be frantically looking, and saw nothing. A big first for me, and will probably be my only time. Strangest part is I was delayed taking off at my regular time from work for a half hour. If I had not been delayed, I would not have been in the right place at the right time, it would have been someone else doing the happy dance (figuratively, not literally. Sure does make one wonder though how a person goes about losing a $100 bill. I sure would be sick if it was me.
    I lost a $100 bill in a parking lot in "Cleburne, TX" a couple days ago... I'm paying a $50 reward to anyone who finds and returns it.


    Just kidding. Good find..

  8. The Following 7 Users say Thank You for This Post by nutpie:


  9. #5
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    May 2012
    Location
    Missouri
    Posts
    19
    Thanks
    257
    Thanked 31 Times in 9 Posts
    I to keep my eyes to the ground. The last several years I've had some health issues so heavy work is out unless my wife can help. Things were really down, no scrap to be had I went for a short ride and walked the roadsides picking cans. Wow I found a windfall of cans on way back to truck I saw a green piece of paper crunched up I thought a $1 bill stuffed it in my pocket sat in truck pulled out my find it was a $100 bill, God does bless at the right time. My wife said we need some groceries the Blessing was food plus several bags of cans.

  10. The Following 10 Users say Thank You for This Post by glenn:


  11. #6
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Apr 2012
    Location
    BC
    Posts
    10
    Thanks
    1
    Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts
    This brings to mind the weirdest coincidence of my life by far. About 8 years ago I was stepping out of my van to feed the meter and looked down to find 3 $100 bills folded up together. Once in a lifetime find. Or so I thought.

    About 3 months later in another town, I was cutting across a vacant lot and spotted one of those clear plastic insurance paper holders and I could see money in it. I picked it up and I couldn't believe it. 3 $100 bills! Only this time they were American bills.

    I often wonder if this has some greater meaning but I haven't figured it out yet except to say I agree! Keep your eyes on the ground!

  12. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by CPUHunter:


  13. #7
    Hypoman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    1,268
    Thanks
    2,772
    Thanked 1,331 Times in 512 Posts
    I too constantly scan the ground for "goodies". I personally am looking for a WAM penny 98-00. But ive found gold rings also this way. Just did a cleanout and there were two jewelry boxes filled with vintagw silver jewelry and some gold freemason rings. Never found a hundo though. Nice grab!
    Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.
    Thomas Jefferson

  14. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by Hypoman:


  15. #8
    Jonniebrass's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    1,007
    Thanks
    582
    Thanked 496 Times in 296 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Jonniebrass View Post
    I found 100 dollars once.
    It was about 25 years ago. I was delivering newspapers to a hotel and there on the ground it was. It was around new years day.

  16. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by Jonniebrass:


  17. #9
    lousypirate's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Marne, MI
    Posts
    439
    Thanks
    34
    Thanked 287 Times in 138 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by wayne1956 View Post
    I always pick up any change on the ground, no matter if it is "just" a penny. A couple of times I have spied a $20, couple of times a $10, and several $5 and $1. Even one time thought I had found a $50 in a WalMart parking lot (it was folded like many of us do), but turns out it was an advertisement for a tax refund preparation office. A couple of days ago I was picking up a refrigerator and an oven from someone who had responded to my craigslist ad. Saw a piece of paper blowing in the wind beside my truck and picked it up. A nice $100 bill. And not an advertisement replica either. I looked upwind to see if anyone might be frantically looking, and saw nothing. A big first for me, and will probably be my only time. Strangest part is I was delayed taking off at my regular time from work for a half hour. If I had not been delayed, I would not have been in the right place at the right time, it would have been someone else doing the happy dance (figuratively, not literally. Sure does make one wonder though how a person goes about losing a $100 bill. I sure would be sick if it was me.
    My mom found one in a snow bank when she totaled her maxima waiting for the tow truck
    my dad has found $100 bills stashed in several different vehicles he's bought over the years. Only ever 1 at a time, usually pinned up under the seat for an emergency fund

    I'm stuck with pocket change from partout vehicles, but lots of 100s from parting them out

  18. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by lousypirate:


  19. #10
    eesakiwi's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    2,531
    Thanks
    2,909
    Thanked 2,556 Times in 1,227 Posts
    I found $40 in the middle of the road about a year ago.

    About 5 years ago I found $40 while walking to the vet to make a (first) appointment for my cat.
    She said "its cash up front for the first visit". "How much?" I ask.
    She says "$39"......

    But, about a year ago I got some cheap DVD's (war documentary's) from a pawn shop. A pack of 5.
    I do whatever and get to a friends place and a few hours later we decide to watch one.
    So I go thru them and pick 1 and open it up and there's $300 in $20 notes in there.....
    Here's where it gets weird....
    A while before, someone I know and see 'out and about' mentioned that he "had someone steal some money from his place". "How much?" asked. "Dunno really,$400? Maybe". "Bummer" I said.
    He's got relitives who steal stuff all the time, could be them, its happened to me, by them, before.

    But a while after that, (I see him about every 3-4 months, at random) In ask about the money and he says that he "could have hidden it and chucked it out by mistake...."

    Now I know he's sold DVDs to the pawn shop before...... I'm wondering.....
    Now did he put the $ in the DVD case to hide it, forget about it, and sell the DVD to the pawn shop...
    And I brought it...
    I cannot ask him directly... I have to 'hide' my questions. On the other hand, the pawn shop may have a way of looking it up to find out. I would think they would check every DVD anyway.
    If it was a prize of some sort they would have a note in there too.
    But chances are soooo remote, but then, I have had remoter chances happen before.

    If its his, I will get his money back to him. 100%.
    I checked last week and found a pawnshop sticker/barcode on one of the DVD's. Traceable.

  20. The Following 4 Users say Thank You for This Post by eesakiwi:


  21. #11
    travistemple202020's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jul 2012
    Location
    ames iowa
    Posts
    1,326
    Thanks
    267
    Thanked 883 Times in 495 Posts
    this is why I check couches chairs and clothes even if I am not picking them up cause I find lots of money this way mostly change but it adds up fast and some fun and gross things too lol

  22. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by travistemple202020:


  23. #12
    dsroten's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Apr 2015
    Location
    NC, United States
    Posts
    83
    Thanks
    25
    Thanked 141 Times in 50 Posts
    I found a Benjamin under the spare tire in a old 85 Cadillac a couple years ago. I figure someone stuffed it in there for a rainy day and just forgot it when they sold it. Seems like I didnt pay much more than that for the whole car.

  24. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by dsroten:


  25. #13
    bigburtchino's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    California
    Posts
    1,647
    Thanks
    4,388
    Thanked 2,835 Times in 1,132 Posts
    My favorite place (other than the ground) to find "found treasure" is desk. About every other month it seems we have a desk or two to go thru (sometimes several). The three things that are very common to find in vacated desk, (besides paper clips and pens):1. Loose change (usually US coins, but often foreign coins). 2 Jewelry, most of the time it's single earring. 12K gold adds up (better than pennies). 3. Gift Cards, most of the time it's only $1.00 and some change remaining unspent of a $25 gift card, again better than pennies and the unopened birthday cards, will almost always be good for a $25 lunch somewhere! Those unopened cards always get me wondering about just what kind of "working" office that place was!

    If you get a office desk to dispose of, take a little time to box up the contents, for me it's usually better than scrap value for the desk and contents is a nice bonus!

  26. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by bigburtchino:


  27. #14
    Otto's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Posts
    335
    Thanks
    494
    Thanked 322 Times in 166 Posts
    My favorite place (other than the ground) to find "found treasure" is desk.
    Also, check filing cabinets. Remove the bottom drawer and look behind it. Often, something will have fallen down there. Same thing with cupboard and dresser drawers.

  28. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by Otto:


  29. #15
    Patriot76's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Buffalo Commons
    Posts
    2,949
    Thanks
    10,589
    Thanked 7,220 Times in 2,256 Posts
    The value for me looking down is the number of penny's I find. I pick everyone up, not for the financial value but instead for the spiritual value. Each has "In God we trust" engraved in it. I know our other currencies have these words, but then I get caught up in the value, not the meaning. A penny has less financial value, but helps keep my compass straight. More valuable to me than what's "blowing in the wind." "Kansas"
    Give back more to this world than we take.

  30. The Following 5 Users say Thank You for This Post by Patriot76:


  31. #16
    NatureRecycleFlorida's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    May 2015
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    171
    Thanks
    143
    Thanked 151 Times in 86 Posts
    My dad at a traffic intersection seen something shiny so he opened the door grabbed what he thought was a cheap knockoff Rolex watch on the road later found out it was a real one with a broken band.

  32. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by NatureRecycleFlorida:


  33. #17
    hobo finds's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2010
    Location
    tucson, az
    Posts
    4,746
    Thanks
    6,035
    Thanked 5,907 Times in 2,555 Posts
    A friend of mine 20 years ago was picking up room service trays on the tray mixed in with the dirty dishes was a bag of weed and a wedding ring, he called the room back and made a real good tip.

  34. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by hobo finds:


  35. #18
    nutpie's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Feb 2014
    Location
    maine
    Posts
    441
    Thanks
    379
    Thanked 404 Times in 227 Posts
    I pick up pennies when I see thm. It helps pay for the sales tax on my next purchase.

  36. The Following User Says Thank You to nutpie for This Post:


  37. #19
    eesakiwi's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NZ
    Posts
    2,531
    Thanks
    2,909
    Thanked 2,556 Times in 1,227 Posts
    I pick up the small coins because if I put one in my parking meter I save $10. :-)

    And if I put one in someone else's parking meter, they save $10 too.... ;-)

  38. The Following User Says Thank You to eesakiwi for This Post:


  39. #20
    NHscrapman's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jan 2013
    Location
    new hampshire
    Posts
    1,582
    Thanks
    4,076
    Thanked 2,176 Times in 941 Posts
    snowbanks will start melting soon
    all kinds of goodies get pushed into snowbanks and deposited in nice little piles once they melt.
    best cash find was a $20
    found plenty of silver bracelets and other jewelry as well as cellphones and other small electronics.
    Then it's off to scour underneath the chairlifts on the ski mountain with a metal detector, a guy can fill up a 5 gallon bucket with watches, chains, phones, mp3 players, change. wallets get turned into the pd, one guy gave me a reward of 50 bucks.
    There ain't nothing wrong with an honest days work. Anyone who says otherwise is a fool.- Old Man

  40. The Following User Says Thank You to NHscrapman for This Post:



  41. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. It pays to pick up gift cards on the ground
      By wayne1956 in forum Off Topic Discussions
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 01-20-2015, 01:49 PM
    2. boards from satellite eyes & there value
      By wadarbr549 in forum E-Waste Grading and Identification
      Replies: 16
      Last Post: 03-29-2014, 10:47 PM
    3. Keep your eyes open at the scrap yard
      By wayne1956 in forum Scrap Metal Tips and Advice
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 06-28-2013, 06:20 PM
    4. keep those eyes open
      By cyclescrapper in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 11-30-2011, 12:40 AM
    5. Sharp Eyes
      By Ken styles in forum Off Topic Discussions
      Replies: 8
      Last Post: 12-03-2010, 04:08 PM

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

 
Browse the Most Recent Threads
On SMF In THIS CATEGORY.





OR

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

The Scrap Metal Forum

    The Scrap Metal Forum is the #1 scrap metal recycling community in the world. Here we talk about the scrap metal business, making money, where we connect with other scrappers, scrap yards and more.

SMF on Facebook and Twitter

Twitter Facebook