My 1st day as a scrapper-How'd I do?

Up at 4 am, on the road at 6. w00t!

I went to 10 apt. complexes all on same road in one town. I met maintenance and management at a few who agreed to let me know when they have appliances. One apt complex has 6 evictions this week and will call me when scraps come up.

Stop at auto repair complex and 1 fellow said he'd save his stuff for me. Many places I popped in already have regular scrappers coming, which I expected.

On my journey I found:
1 Frig, several vacuums, bikes, strollers, ac fans, a sink w/brass fittings and lamps…took to scrap yard and rec’d 101.12

From craigslist ad posted this morning, 5 responses…today picked up home gym-have on consignment at sports store and will receive 124.99- 2 tvs-dropped at Good Will-charged $20 removal, pu’d bed rails/frame, heater which is still on truck. Have appt to pick up washer/dryer in the am.

Stopped at random TV repair shop and made a good contact with repair man who will buy flat panels w/broken screens, tvs working and not working in need of repair, old radios, musical instruments and amps. I sold clarinet found in dumpster for $20.

I turned down 1 craigslist call for trash haul, was too far away for the price and they could find someone cheaper closer to their area.

Found a thrift store that holds monthly sale, everything you can fit in bag for $3 a bag. They had silver/brass on shelves but overpriced IMO, so I didn't purchase.

Total made 1st scrapping day was 266.11 less gas (still have 3/4 tank) and still have bike on truck found on way home, bed rails/frame, heater and other items scheduled for pick up tomorrow.

5-6 hours out.

How do y'all think I did?



I have soooooooooooo much to learn.

I'd say you did real good. So, now what's the plan for tomorrow?

Originally Posted by Ptscrapper

Yes you sure did do real good. Are you sure this was your first day? lol, Im sitting here trying to figure out how to post a new thread to let yall know what i came across.

Top left of screen POST NEW THREAD on the main forum page you want to start new thread in...where the threads are listed in area you want to post.

Yes, 1st day. But I have spent weeks on my off time researching here and www to learn about this business....I didn't go to scrap yard alone because it was my first time there and also you have to have a card to get paid, so my honey helped with that part.

ixcelr84scraps: I like your screen name, and judging from your original post, it matches you quite well.

Sounds like you had quite a busy, productive, profiting day.

Day 2...wooohoooo.

Today I did same route again. First few places a bust. Last apts I stopped found large metal something (lol), was told by maintenance where I dryer was hiding under steps, checking last dumpster found a few small things (lamps, wire, etc) and a tenant came out and asked if we could take another dryer. OF COURSE! When went to back of bldg to load she asked if we could take an old metal/wood picnic table...OF COURSE...then grabbed a broken sat. dish from neighbor of hers and pulled sleeper sofa frame apt. Those things are heavy!!!! Truck/trailer full (more on this in a second) Took pics...off to the scrap yard:



Before leaving the scrap yard my android beeped at me....6 new emails from freecycle, 4 were 1 guy with all kindsa stuff. I answered and prayed. He called me back! Went right over and picked up 4 dishwashers, 4 lawnmowers, brass fans, sink, heater, misc scrap metal, and offered to take rest to dumpter (only a few things) and got a new ceiling fan for bf's moms porch (kissin' butt). Leaving on trailer until tomorrow. A pic:

Time for tacos, was hungry

While sitting at Taco Bell..the tele rings...craigslist ad put this morning in WANTED--Want to buy old OEM catalytic convertors $40 and up..WALA..Infinity owner with 2, picking up before weekend.

Total made on 1st load was $110. plus sold a dryer to appliance store bf hooked me up with for $30.

Second load still on trailer.

Copper fell again, dangit.

I was really having a good time until I met up with Mike...I wish I had taken a pic! I don't know why I didn't...was too busy telling him about my day I guess. Anywho, I thought my truck n trailer were full....OMG...I don't know how he got all he did in his...it was like 4 times stacked taller than what I had fit. I need to learn how to pack truck and trailer.

Tomorrow...staying home. Going to work on flyers and cold calls. Getting up at 430 is for the birds. BF wants hot dinner tomorrow night..take out last 2 days.

Originally Posted by ixcelr84scraps

Day 2...wooohoooo.

Today I did same route again. First few places a bust. Last apts I stopped found large metal something (lol), was told by maintenance where I dryer was hiding under steps, checking last dumpster found a few small things (lamps, wire, etc) and a tenant came out and asked if we could take another dryer. OF COURSE! When went to back of bldg to load she asked if we could take an old metal/wood picnic table...OF COURSE...then grabbed a broken sat. dish from neighbor of hers and pulled sleeper sofa frame apt. Those things are heavy!!!! Truck/trailer full (more on this in a second) Took pics...off to the scrap yard:



Before leaving the scrap yard my android beeped at me....6 new emails from freecycle, 4 were 1 guy with all kindsa stuff. I answered and prayed. He called me back! Went right over and picked up 4 dishwashers, 4 lawnmowers, brass fans, sink, heater, misc scrap metal, and offered to take rest to dumpter (only a few things) and got a new ceiling fan for bf's moms porch (kissin' butt). Leaving on trailer until tomorrow. A pic:

Time for tacos, was hungry

While sitting at Taco Bell..the tele rings...craigslist ad put this morning in WANTED--Want to buy old OEM catalytic convertors $40 and up..WALA..Infinity owner with 2, picking up before weekend.

Total made on 1st load was $110. plus sold a dryer to appliance store bf hooked me up with for $30.

Second load still on trailer.

Copper fell again, dangit.

I was really having a good time until I met up with Mike...I wish I had taken a pic! I don't know why I didn't...was too busy telling him about my day I guess. Anywho, I thought my truck n trailer were full....OMG...I don't know how he got all he did in his...it was like 4 times stacked taller than what I had fit. I need to learn how to pack truck and trailer.

Tomorrow...staying home. Going to work on flyers and cold calls. Getting up at 430 is for the birds. BF wants hot dinner tomorrow night..take out last 2 days.

If you and your bf were closer, I could help you learn the tricks of packing a trailer. One of the few things that my ex partner taught me to do real well to maximize space.

The better you pack, the more you can haul.

One piece of advice I can give, is anything really big and has room to shove small things in, do it.

If you get some where, and you need to move things around, do so, to where you can still open it up and toss smaller things into it, etc.

Originally Posted by ixcelr84scraps

BF didn't show me how to load...his loads are packed in (I think he did that on purpose because I am competitive and he know he would beat me out there knowing he could get alot more on his loads) ...I am only doing this for a few days to understand what it's like 'out there'. I will be doing the scheduling, contacts, helping build business when I have down time from my own business. I wish you were closer too so you could teach me and I could beat him this week, haha. Tips are good tho...if I get business picked up I may be out otr more. It's nice getting out from behind this computer once in a while.

I am in VA, so yea, GA is a bit of a drive lol.

I am surprised he didn't teach you though, so you can get a LOT more when you are doing runs on your own etc.

Like I said though, anything bigger then other stuff and has any kind of holes, slots, nooks and crannies, just fill it as much as possible.

Also, like I said, whether you do dumpster diving, or even going from home to home or business to business, you will sometimes need to rearrange, but doing it correctly maximizes room.

I will admit, that it does not work all the time, but depending on what you get, it will.

Thanks George for tips. I think he didn't tell me because it's kinda like a game for us, he knows he's in for competition, he sees how I work my own business at home and is scared I will outscrap him, LMAO! I won't be scrapping all the time as mentioned. Just prowling out in the field for a few days to understand his work and can be more productive helping him on the business side in the office.

Remember my intro post? I work as a VA (I loved your Godsend comment!) I hope my clients would be upset if I went to scrapping F/T...but you never know...I am having fun!

Just a tip on loading up ^ we use those 3" yellow ratchet straps. Kinda long for a pickup but you can sure pull things down sooo tight that you will bow the sides of the truck if you don't watch. Once you get the load ratcheted down with those straps it won't come loose.
Your also dealing with a short bed truck, 6' which cuts down on loading capacity. We notice a big difference between the short bed and the 8 footer we have now.
BTW; good job, should hire you for an extra employee,,,LOL