Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 39

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

| A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
  1. #1
    ixcelr84scraps started this thread.
    ixcelr84scraps's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Southeast
    Posts
    135
    Thanks
    137
    Thanked 102 Times in 44 Posts

    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.
    Last edited by ixcelr84scraps; 09-19-2011 at 07:29 PM.

  2. The Following 3 Users say Thank You for This Post by ixcelr84scraps:



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



    Member since
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Palermo, Me
    Posts
    3,405
    Thanks
    363
    Thanked 3,086 Times in 1,326 Posts
    I'd say you did real good. So, now what's the plan for tomorrow?
    People may laugh at me, but that's ok. I laugh all the way to the bank.

  4. The Following User Says Thank You to Mick for This Post:


  5. #3
    ixcelr84scraps started this thread.
    ixcelr84scraps's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Southeast
    Posts
    135
    Thanks
    137
    Thanked 102 Times in 44 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Mick View Post
    I'd say you did real good. So, now what's the plan for tomorrow?
    Thanks Mick. My bf has been scrapping 4 yrs and today was really for me to get out and see how I could do (and kinda a battle to see who could do more and he kicked my butt).

    My goal is to do the office/business side. Tomorrow I will meet with him and go over ideas I have, learn what he will pick up free and what he will pay for and start working on flyers, cold calls, work on a schedule to go out in person to apt complexes and the following: there are a gazillion automotive/collision, golf cart sales/repair, storage places, thrifts stores, tv repair places, lots of remodeling and construction, computer sales and repair, etc. to drum up new business for his routes. I have a lot of ideas but not sure they are good or not until I discuss with him or find info relating here. (I love this site!)

    One idea, I think I read about here somewhere, is doing recycling drives at schools, I will start a plan on paper for that tomorrow.

    Another idea, golf cart batteries I live near a town that is golf cart heaven. 99 miles of golf cart paths...more golf carts than cars! Just need to find out their worth and if worth to pay for them or not.

    I am seriously a newbie at this. So for you experienced scrappers I hope I don't sound too stupid! Been working at my home business for years as a Virtual Assistant and think my skills can help build his business which is why I wanted to spend a few days in the 'field' a little to learn that side of it.

  6. #4
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Henderson nc
    Posts
    246
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked 66 Times in 46 Posts
    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.

  7. #5
    ixcelr84scraps started this thread.
    ixcelr84scraps's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Southeast
    Posts
    135
    Thanks
    137
    Thanked 102 Times in 44 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Ptscrapper View Post
    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.
    Last edited by ixcelr84scraps; 09-19-2011 at 08:43 PM. Reason: spelling

  8. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by ixcelr84scraps:


  9. #6
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Boise, ID
    Posts
    2,702
    Thanks
    2,237
    Thanked 2,352 Times in 1,014 Posts
    Wish I had an outgoing gf like you. I am socially retarded so it's hard to get out there and drum up business.

  10. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by IdahoScrapper:


  11. #7
    PartTimeScrapper's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Morrison, Colorado
    Posts
    3,400
    Thanks
    1,004
    Thanked 3,256 Times in 1,335 Posts
    Maybe you can hire her to do your cold calling in your neck of the wood idaho As far as your first day goes I think you just caught the bug. Have fun I know I am and im fairly new to this stuff too.

  12. #8
    GeorgeB's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Manassas Park, VA
    Posts
    2,919
    Thanks
    462
    Thanked 639 Times in 432 Posts
    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.
    George Beale - Founder & President - info@viprecyclingjunkremoval.com
    VIP Recycling Junk Removal LLC - Premier Scrap Metal, Junk, & Electronic Recyclers!
    http://www.viprecyclingjunkremoval.com

  13. #9
    submarinepainter's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    1,025
    Thanks
    1,230
    Thanked 654 Times in 316 Posts
    Nice job! hope you make a killing.

  14. #10
    ixcelr84scraps started this thread.
    ixcelr84scraps's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Southeast
    Posts
    135
    Thanks
    137
    Thanked 102 Times in 44 Posts
    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.
    Last edited by ixcelr84scraps; 09-20-2011 at 04:40 PM. Reason: Fix pic link.

  15. #11
    ComputerScrapper's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Portland, Indiana
    Posts
    497
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 320 Times in 145 Posts
    Very nice, very nice indeed.....off to a good start you be

  16. #12
    Mechanic688's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warsaw , Ind. In the heart of the lakes, and down the street from the hotel where Al Capone stayed.
    Posts
    9,568
    Thanks
    11,247
    Thanked 10,730 Times in 4,728 Posts
    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
    Last edited by Mechanic688; 09-20-2011 at 05:17 PM.
    P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
    If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to Mechanic688 for This Post:


  18. #13
    ComputerScrapper's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor


    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Portland, Indiana
    Posts
    497
    Thanks
    18
    Thanked 320 Times in 145 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Mechanic688 View Post
    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.
    Yes, Yes to Mechanic688 you listen.....A safe load is a happy load

  19. The Following 2 Users say Thank You for This Post by ComputerScrapper:


  20. #14
    submarinepainter's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Maine
    Posts
    1,025
    Thanks
    1,230
    Thanked 654 Times in 316 Posts
    Geez I need a scrapper woman here lol

  21. #15
    GeorgeB's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Manassas Park, VA
    Posts
    2,919
    Thanks
    462
    Thanked 639 Times in 432 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by ixcelr84scraps View Post
    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.

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


  23. #16
    Mechanic688's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor



    Member since
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Warsaw , Ind. In the heart of the lakes, and down the street from the hotel where Al Capone stayed.
    Posts
    9,568
    Thanks
    11,247
    Thanked 10,730 Times in 4,728 Posts
    The other thing I see about the truck, unless it's vital, lose the toolbox. Your missing almost 2 foot of bed space with it in there, and dealing with a shortbed also. Use the back seat area in place of the toolbox.

  24. The Following User Says Thank You to Mechanic688 for This Post:


  25. #17
    forwardlookguy's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Sharpsburg, GA
    Posts
    195
    Thanks
    112
    Thanked 98 Times in 58 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by ixcelr84scraps
    I live near a town that is golf cart heaven. 99 miles of golf cart paths
    Wait a minute, you list your location as Southeast and there's only one place around here with golf cart paths throughout the whole city...that would be Peachtree City, GA. Am I right? I live over in Sharpsburg, not too far from you. I work in PTC so I'm familiar with the golf carts. I work off of Huddleston Road (golf cart shop central).

  26. #18
    Scrap man's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Nov 2010
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    657
    Thanks
    36
    Thanked 172 Times in 93 Posts
    Most of the time, working appliances will get you a lot more on Craigslist than selling to some appliance shop. The average washer or dryer is about $50-$75 on CL
    There's nothing more fun and more effective than hitting something repeatedly with a sledgehammer

  27. #19
    ixcelr84scraps started this thread.
    ixcelr84scraps's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Southeast
    Posts
    135
    Thanks
    137
    Thanked 102 Times in 44 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Scrap man View Post
    Most of the time, working appliances will get you a lot more on Craigslist than selling to some appliance shop. The average washer or dryer is about $50-$75 on CL
    Most I am picking up need repair. Right now it's faster for me to just get rid of working ones, if they even work as told, don't want to take home to test. I don't have time to store and wait for PU. Load/empty/reload. If we keep going as well as we have been we will get space and maybe take even more things then we have been able to.

  28. #20
    ixcelr84scraps started this thread.
    ixcelr84scraps's Avatar
    SMF Badges of Honor

    Member since
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Southeast
    Posts
    135
    Thanks
    137
    Thanked 102 Times in 44 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by GeorgeB View Post
    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.
    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.


  29. Similar threads on the Scrap Metal Forum

    1. My first day as a Scrapper
      By Craasher in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 18
      Last Post: 05-10-2013, 10:19 PM
    2. A Day In The Life Of a Scrapper #1
      By AdamTheScrapper in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 7
      Last Post: 10-03-2012, 09:00 PM
    3. How'd I do?
      By Gnraxlrose88 in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 4
      Last Post: 04-20-2012, 10:29 AM
    4. A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      By MetamaniA in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 1
      Last Post: 06-27-2011, 01:57 PM
    5. A day in the life of a scrapper (video)
      By Instaed in forum A Day in the Life of a Scrapper
      Replies: 19
      Last Post: 02-19-2011, 10:28 AM

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