Scrapping license

Cincinnati city council will be voting on a proposal that requires scrappers to be licensed. Persons with theft convictions would be ineligible for licensure and payment from the yards would have to be by check with a hold on it.

What do you think about being licensed?

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2...news|text|News

Prefer to keep it simple but have had to deal with building permits and licenses as a contractor. Not sure how much good it will do as scum always finds a way.

Originally Posted by KZBell

Prefer to keep it simple but have had to deal with building permits and licenses as a contractor. Not sure how much good it will do as scum always finds a way.

you're right - what's to stop someone with a license from buying from the thieves? if they can't enforce the current laws, how will they enforce this one?

But I'm wondering if it wouldn't create opportunities - if we get licenses it might make us more attractive to people who otherwise don't want to deal with scrappers.

It may force them to sell to someone licensed so you would be able to make some coin that way. A person would need to be careful tho as your customers are not exactly model citizens. And at some point you may be required to be a dealer if caught.

Originally Posted by KZBell

It may force them to sell to someone licensed so you would be able to make some coin that way. A person would need to be careful tho as your customers are not exactly model citizens. And at some point you may be required to be a dealer if caught.

True on that score.

But I am also thinking about the terrible reputation that scrappers have in some parts - being able to approach a business and tell them that you are licensed gives some legitimacy and maybe a foot in the door.

Being licensed would be a good advertising tool. Gear your advertising to larger, industrial companies.

Originally Posted by DumbD

Horrible idea.
Well Wash. D.C. actually put a "moritorium" on scrap in past , banning copper, since scumbags were ripping copper gutters off
houses, as well as ripping out plumbing (thousands in damages) as well as ripping off bronze etc. TOMBSTONE markers,
and statues.

I actually gave up Handyman work because where I live, they passed a law that to pass out flyers (solicit) one has to go
the police station, have a background check, pay a fee, get a plastic thing that MUST be worn around the neck while soliciting new work (IE putting flyers on doors) ...I am a family man and Christian etc., but due to stuff 10 years ago minor charges for drunk in public, assualts (that got dropped but still on record), and a "trespassing" (that got dropped , but still there, some reason???) which was for fishing in a "park" after dark...stupid laws.

You know these republicans are campaining the "States rights" issue.
Sounded good AT FIRST: BUT what do you see looking at shipping for various "States" ??? "No ship to NY, HI, CA etc. etc.
ONLY freedom from "States rights" would be in the area of "medical marijuana" ...Who the heck wants MORE laws AND MORE pot-heads IMO??? [/rnt]

D, have you ever looked into having your record expunged? In many places, you can expunge all misdemeanors if they are so many years old and you haven't reoffended. You might want to call the court clerk and ask about it.

I do not have a problem with it but it's like the dog license, I want it enforced . I will obey the law , I will file my taxes and pay the bill but everyone should have to comply !!!

Originally Posted by submarinepainter

I do not have a problem with it but it's like the dog license, I want it enforced . I will obey the law , I will file my taxes and pay the bill but everyone should have to comply !!!

You're right. The scrappers would have be licensed to sell to the yards. The only issue would be if a thriving black market developed.

Some people - not thieves - might just decide it's not worth the trouble to get a license -it might even drive up prices, if the supply drops.

I don't care for the check part of it. First, you wait for the check, then you wait for it to clear. What if it bounces? Your metal is gone, now you have to chase the yard owners for the money. Also, how can it be legal for a city to say that a business can't pay in cash? Do they have the authority to do that?

Originally Posted by Scrapette

You're right. The scrappers would have be licensed to sell to the yards. The only issue would be if a thriving black market developed.

Some people - not thieves - might just decide it's not worth the trouble to get a license -it might even drive up prices, if the supply drops.

I don't care for the check part of it. First, you wait for the check, then you wait for it to clear. What if it bounces? Your metal is gone, now you have to chase the yard owners for the money. Also, how can it be legal for a city to say that a business can't pay in cash? Do they have the authority to do that?

Only people yards give checks too, is company's that have multiple checks coming in. The drivers collect the check, and turn it into their offices, and they deposit them.

Only other times that I have seen this happen, if the payouts have been pretty high...I believe like $1,000 or more.

If they require license, depends on the regulations, etc if people stop scrapping and prices drop.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Only people yards give checks too, is company's that have multiple checks coming in. The drivers collect the check, and turn it into their offices, and they deposit them.

Only other times that I have seen this happen, if the payouts have been pretty high...I believe like $1,000 or more.

If they require license, depends on the regulations, etc if people stop scrapping and prices drop.

That new Cincinnati law would require the yards to pay scrappers with checks and the checks would be on a hold for so many days in case the metal turned out to be stolen.

If people stop scrapping, wouldn't that make prices go up due to scarcity?

Originally Posted by Scrapette

That new Cincinnati law would require the yards to pay scrappers with checks and the checks would be on a hold for so many days in case the metal turned out to be stolen.

If people stop scrapping, wouldn't that make prices go up due to scarcity?

The only thing that would make them stop, is if they can't go a few days without cash. Most scrappers that I know of personally, leave a little cash (like petty cash) for those days, when there is no scrap to be had, or emergencies, etc.

I could understand the whole check thing, but even so, with most banks, if they know you, they will push the check through.

Only way a scrap yard can have a check have a hold on it, if they write a date for a few days into the week. Like if I went today and they wrote me a check, and post dated till Friday, I wouldn't be able to deposit till Friday.

No license yet.

Supply and demand could definitely come into play, Scrapette. As for issuing checks here, right now it's up to the discretion of the yard. Anything over about $300 in most cases you get a check no matter if your a business or made out to a person. I would imagine this helps to not have to fill the ATM so often if you have some heavy hitters come thru.

Originally Posted by PistoneScrapProcessing

In my opinion everyone should have a license and some sort of liability insurance and be issued checks. Tag and hold on copper is great in most cases. I for one am all for any regulation that cleans up theft which is a billion dollar a year problem and makes legit scrappers look better in the eyes of the public. Check out the amount of theft that happens daily here its amazing whats stolen on a day to day basis.

http://www.scraptheftalert.com/allTheftReports.aspx

I can see where you are coming from, but for smaller scrappers that would drive them out of business. I know some that can't even make $100 a trip, because their trucks are so darn small. Only way, is if their trucks are full with copper or something.

Granted, would cut down on competition, but at the same time everyone deserves to make a living.