Ok...So I'm Hooked - Now What?

And another recycler is born!

Whenever possible, ALWAYS get product for FREE. If you got to paid, a general rule when it comes to ewaste, is to never offer more than $5 to $7 per pc tower COMPLETE! If it is not complete, just offer like $2 to $3.

Also, I would suggest getting with PartTimeScrapper. He is one of the buyers on here as you know, that buys some parts for more then scrap value. He would be good about telling you what things to be on the look out for, that would put more cash in your pocket.

As many have mentioned in the past, schools, goodwills, thrift stores, PC repair shops, etc are all good sources of getting product from them.

I second what George is saying. I am currently about 1/2 way through 6 gaylords (Pallet size boxes) of material I purchased from Habitat. Now while I'm still part time at this, I'm also Greedy and went for the big score.

I'd say it's imperative that you know what you're looking for and know what you're going to get.

From the thrift store I work with, I ended up with a whole box of LOW GRADE! while my pricing accounted for SOME low grade, i hoped to make some money on the back end with some Higher grade stuff. Didn't happen.

Focus on Computer based equipment. And places that you can find such things...free if possible....that will be the best plan I think.

Julie start with CL and freecycle ads. Look for stuff close to you that you can go pick up for free. Heck i started going out on trash night in my neighborhood with my truck and mu daughter. Now I go to auctions and have my own website. Start small and grow slow and learn. You have my number call me anytime you want and ill try to help.

Originally Posted by Julie

I'm going to have to look up the legal side of doing this as well like for license regulations and whatnot.Thortek, when you bought from your thrift store and Habitat how did you ask them? I know it was better than "hey can i buy your stuff?" I'm trying to play it out in my head but I am at a loss.

I sent the thrift store an email. They are listed as a recycling center for our Solid Waste District, but they didn't accept E-Waste. So I struck a deal at $0.08 a pound for everything he'd sell me. $6 for PC's (Because their thrift store supports mission work). $0.50 a pound for wire. But he has to weight it. I pay him for box and all, and then I take a refund of the box weight on the next load.

Habitat received an email during one of my email blasts. They contacted me for pricing. I didn't have pricing yet,Because i hadn't planned to buy anything just work my free stuff. I figured up pricing I felt was fair. It was lower than what they were getting on some things, and higher than others. Overall I think they lost money switching to me, and may not give me a second load, and I don't blame them. They have to build houses, but I have to make money too.

Getting ready to send out another email blast about spring cleaning....we'll see what happens!

Originally Posted by thortek

I sent the thrift store an email. They are listed as a recycling center for our Solid Waste District, but they didn't accept E-Waste. So I struck a deal at $0.08 a pound for everything he'd sell me. $6 for PC's (Because their thrift store supports mission work). $0.50 a pound for wire. But he has to weight it. I pay him for box and all, and then I take a refund of the box weight on the next load.

Habitat received an email during one of my email blasts. They contacted me for pricing. I didn't have pricing yet,Because i hadn't planned to buy anything just work my free stuff. I figured up pricing I felt was fair. It was lower than what they were getting on some things, and higher than others. Overall I think they lost money switching to me, and may not give me a second load, and I don't blame them. They have to build houses, but I have to make money too.

Getting ready to send out another email blast about spring cleaning....we'll see what happens!

Thortek:

How do you come up with your lists to email blast too?

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Thortek:

How do you come up with your lists to email blast too?

I scoured local school websites for the Tech coordinators. I looked for professional associations, and I am a member of www.jigsaw.com it's a lot of leg work, but it does pay off. With only email blasts, I made 3 pickups that earned me around $700 my first month. and that was before I knew what I was doing. I use Mailchimp.com it's like constant contact, but it's free and I think it's easier to use.

(Lila Garrett former writer for bewitched had me at her apartment in Beverly Hills, she showed me mailchimp, and asked me how to "Make it work", for her radio show. Since then I've been hooked!)

ALOT just keep pluggin away. When you get your first you will get so happy youll spend the next week on the phone.

Originally Posted by thortek

I scoured local school websites for the Tech coordinators. I looked for professional associations, and I am a member of www.jigsaw.com it's a lot of leg work, but it does pay off. With only email blasts, I made 3 pickups that earned me around $700 my first month. and that was before I knew what I was doing. I use Mailchimp.com it's like constant contact, but it's free and I think it's easier to use.

(Lila Garrett former writer for bewitched had me at her apartment in Beverly Hills, she showed me mailchimp, and asked me how to "Make it work", for her radio show. Since then I've been hooked!)

Thanks. My wife has been making some facebook fan pages for stuff she does, and focuses around the local counties. So, I am beginning to go on there to let people know more about VIP Recycling.

I agree, mailchimp is good. Especially if you dont have a lot of mailers to do.

Julie,
This business, is like any other and it is a numbers game. You may have to contact 100 places/people before getting that yes.

Just keep your chin up, and remember the next one would be the ONE!

Also, call your family and friends or meet up with them, and rehearse with them. Then treat potential customers as you would with family and friends.

Remain professional of course, but just remember that they are like you.

Julie, I get shot down A LOT! Then I get a yes...but people never follow up! I'm waiting right now to hear back from a repair shop that said he had a huge clean out for me to do.....But now won't return my emails....

The thrift store I was working with hasn't followed up to confirm he's received his check....so who knows?!?!?

It's hit and miss, feast or famine!

Make sure you join your local Freecycle too!

"my boyfriend can sell an sno-cone to an eskimo so it's now his job."

So a couple months into this scrapping thing and you're a supervisor delegating jobs. lol

Soon you'll be the next ewaste buyer for the west coast. Keep it up, its fun and interesting at the same time., Mike.