Other peoples trash...I shake my head!

As scrap prices dropped this year, I took a hard look at reselling and repurposing stuff versus scrapping it. So far it's worked out awesomely,as long as I'm willing to wait on some stuff to "float" on eBay or Craigslist. I've taken to peering in many the dumpster, trolling the local apartment complexes. It's amazing what people throw out. Just this month:

2 - yes 2- laptops, both high end in good condition, bad hard drives. I had those lying about, popped them in, sold the two for $250 and $325.
7 nearly brand new vacuums, just clogged and dirty, didn't have to change one belt...all sold within 3 days of posting on CL...profit nearly $170
mini-fridge - brand new - sold for $50
Duraflame heater, first cold night it sold - $65
Microwave, nearly new condition - $45
Microwave parts - @ $140
dishwasher parts - @50
Fridge parts - @75
got tons of tv boards, random like new lamps, a pair of new work boots and sneakers (cleaned em good yes I did!), a 3 bag haul of all new bottles of hair care, etc (buddies GF told me like $300 dollars worth of crap, and I believe her.
and oh yeah - gold bracelet, marked 14k, tested closer to 18k, got $125 for it
and a mountain of steel, storage bins, bookcases, beds, misc hardwoods, etc....

about $1300 bucks off stuff people threw away in the dumpster, not including the goodies I got and kept!

On one hand it's awesome...like almost free money, but it also shows how some of us are such a disposable society...sad at times. I love pulling a Toshiba Satellite laptop outta the trash, but who the eff throws away a laptop? I wasn't brought up that way.

I am now googling/foursquare-ing a plan to "visit" more dumpsters at other complexes...I've found if you cruse thru and make a contact...maintenance guy lurking around, overworked/underpaid manager, and offer to haul away anything they need gone, they could care less about my picking....I'll gladly haul away dirt, branches, etc if I'm pulling over a thousand a month outta your trash!

any thoughts? tips? opinions? I will throw this out there - watch what you snag, especially furniture...the US is in the middle of a bedbug epidemic, and they suck. My folks just got rid of a mystery infestation (they live in a very nice area in rural PA) and I've had them migrate from the neighbors house once when I was city livin' - you don't wanna deal with them - evil little bastards.

When curb shopping, be weary of children's bicycles and toys. Kids like to drop their things wherever, so it may not be on the side of the road as "free". Check and double check, especially if you plan on visiting that neighborhood regularly.

3/4 of everything I own is probably trash picked...scrapping just came about as a way of dealing with the excess or the stuff that turned out to be actually trash. LOL

Yep, be careful with the furniture. Get yourself a blacklight flashlight, it can help you spot any trails from bedbugs, or detect those dreaded cat pee antiques before you even have to touch them.

Originally Posted by nutpie

When curb shopping, be weary of children's bicycles and toys. Kids like to drop their things wherever, so it may not be on the side of the road as "free". Check and double check, especially if you plan on visiting that neighborhood regularly.

I found that guys also like to leave there push mower bags on the curb, near the garbage can. I've been chased down by some guy, his bag was laying in front of the can on trash night. I thought nothing of it. Walked around my truck the long way, tossed the bag in the bed, walked back to the truck the long way. Anyways I am two miles down the road the guy comes flying up in his little car blasting his horn. I pull over he gets out, I get out. (Keep in mind I am 16 at the time) The guy starts swearing and screaming and spitting, he told me he was going to beat the S**t out of me. Asked me if I got off by stealing stuff, the whole time spraying spit every where. He told me he was OUT FRONT mowing his lawn when I grabbed the bag. Yea right, I'd take the guys lawn mower bag while he is mowing. The guy was ready to pop me. I made some smart ass comment about that I prefer to get off things other than stealing, and I got back in my truck and left. I thought for sure I was going to have a broken jaw and a call to the police.

Originally Posted by JnJunk

I found that guys also like to leave there push mower bags on the curb, near the garbage can. I've been chased down by some guy, his bag was laying in front of the can on trash night. I thought nothing of it. Walked around my truck the long way, tossed the bag in the bed, walked back to the truck the long way. Anyways I am two miles down the road the guy comes flying up in his little car blasting his horn. I pull over he gets out, I get out. (Keep in mind I am 16 at the time) The guy starts swearing and screaming and spitting, he told me he was going to beat the S**t out of me. Asked me if I got off by stealing stuff, the whole time spraying spit every where. He told me he was OUT FRONT mowing his lawn when I grabbed the bag. Yea right, I'd take the guys lawn mower bag while he is mowing. The guy was ready to pop me. I made some smart ass comment about that I prefer to get off things other than stealing, and I got back in my truck and left. I thought for sure I was going to have a broken jaw and a call to the police.