My wonderful day as a novice scrapper

OK I know for you long time heavy duty scrappers this isn't much but on my scrap yard/recycle center run today I ended up with 117 lbs of stuff, totalling $49.04.
I was hoping for at least $35. So after paying my scrapping helper $2 (she is 5yrs old) and cost of gas I netted $40. Hey $35 will go to my grass cutter, leaving $5 for ME !

I did not take any of my copper yet and still have a load of more shred and aluminum. My trunk was full so will have to make another trip while copper price is up (2.91 for BB)

Yea me and my helper ! It was a good experience as they were very friendly to my grandaughter, letting her dump a small box of wire into the bucket and giving her a magnet. That made her day.

This was the second scrap yard I have been to and I actually drove 43 miles round trip while the other scrap yard is one I pass right by 3 days a week. Have to decide if it's worth driving out of the way to get better service, friendly helpful people and a clean place to drop off as opposed to a dumpy/grumpy, dirty SCRAP yard that I pass right by.......

Now to find MORE stuff to scrap !!

Well done! Any profit is a good profit when starting out in this game!

Far as worth it go further for another yard...For me it is on most things. My main yard is about an hour from me, I have 2 closer ones between 15 an 20 mins away. Both have their issues tho. The one..their rude, don't pay as well, and very unhelpful. Plus the layout sucks. Second yard that is closer to me..their main problem..they pay low, and only open 3 days out of the week. I use my main yard an hour way, cause they pay way better then the other 2, all the employees are helpful, and most importantly...they treat you right, whether it s a trunk load of shred or 3 trucks fill to the brim with copper. If I have a small load an just looking to get the stuff gone, or on a time constraint I use the one closer to me. Otherwise I use my main yard. ( 98% of the time I use my main yard, unless its late in the afternoon an I won't make it before they close...so yea..rare I use the closer yard.)

Thats how it works for me...others will likely disagree but..eh..treating me right is more important then the 10 bucks I'd save in gas.

Your mileage may vary. :D

Sirscrapalot - It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference. - Tom Brokaw

The best part of scrapping is when you start. I used to be happy with loads like that. No pressure, extra pocket money. Scrapping can be whatever you want it to be. That's the fun of it.

That sounds like a great day! You got the $35 you wanted for the grasscutter, you and your granddaughter got to spend more quality time together, you contributed to your grand daughter's piggy bank while helping teach her the value of work, -and- you still have $5 to take her for ice cream. Win win, I'd say.

You don't sound novice to me, my daughter is almost two and im pretty sure the girls hook me up with better prices when she's with me. she got het own magnet 3 weeks ago now she scraps, in my pockets and her moms purse lol,

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Originally Posted by Renaliz

OK I know for you long time heavy duty scrappers this isn't much but on my scrap yard/recycle center run today I ended up with 117 lbs of stuff, totalling $49.04.
I was hoping for at least $35. So after paying my scrapping helper $2 (she is 5yrs old) and cost of gas I netted $40. Hey $35 will go to my grass cutter, leaving $5 for ME !

I did not take any of my copper yet and still have a load of more shred and aluminum. My trunk was full so will have to make another trip while copper price is up (2.91 for BB)

Yea me and my helper ! It was a good experience as they were very friendly to my grandaughter, letting her dump a small box of wire into the bucket and giving her a magnet. That made her day.

This was the second scrap yard I have been to and I actually drove 43 miles round trip while the other scrap yard is one I pass right by 3 days a week. Have to decide if it's worth driving out of the way to get better service, friendly helpful people and a clean place to drop off as opposed to a dumpy/grumpy, dirty SCRAP yard that I pass right by.......

Now to find MORE stuff to scrap !!

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Find yourself a cheap, but workable lawn more, and pocket the other $35. Although that is a decent price to pay!

Yeah, hold out on copper, brass, any non ferrous until you absolutely need to turn it in, and when prices are high. Even then, just turn in what you need to, to get by. Copper and brass are like your nests eggs. As long as you have some, you will always have money around!

I know how your granddaughter feels. My oldest is 6 and loves going with me when she can. She loves seeing the big cranes pick up really big objects and moving them around.

I personally would deal with the better customer service and cleaner grounds. Replacing tires is not cheap, and non friendly service can sometimes lead to headaches, so if you can afford to, I would do that.