Working on a formula to help me quickly negotiate with shops and such.

D= total distance ( miles to pickup and back + miles to scrap yard and back)
M= mpg of truck or car to be used
G= cost of one gallon of gas
E= expense of trip
W= weight of product in lbs
P= price per/lb
V= total value of what your picking up
C= % of P that you pay per/lb
F= total of what you pay to the shop
K= end profit

So....

D\M *G= E
W*P=V
V*C=F
V-F=T
T-E=K

I hope someone can understand what I'm trying to say in my limited way. I was Hopeing somebody could help me clean up this equation.
My problem is that in my area there are a lot of scrapers to compeat with, not to mention places that are scraping themselves. I need to be able to calculate a lot of factors quickly to undercut the next guy or just make it worth there wile. The idea is of corse to plug and play numbers to get a quick understanding of what it's worth. I might have to ask for more W to be saved or offer less P.

I do understand that....

I could shortcut by looking at V then subtract E and just make an offer.

I take whatever I can for free, or sometimes even get paid to do pickups.

Scraping takes quick thinking and smoothing over.


I have more to say but would like to see some responses first.

You forgot about "P" as in Scrapper or Scrapping.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Samthescraper

My problem is that in my area there are a lot of scrapers to compeat with, not to mention places that are scraping themselves.

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This is scraping:
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u...ps0e49e873.jpg

The rest of that stuff makes my head hurt. I just come up with a price based on what I get. I don't bother to come up with all those equations. Since I have a web site with my prices listed, in the event someone asks me while I'm away from home, I bookmarked the "prices" page on my phone. This way I don't have to memorize everything.

I agree with scrapping rather than scraping, but quite simply, unless you are getting some big deals and you need to come within 5% of the next guy, don't fret it.

Have your price in mind and wing it when it comes to distance. If it's a big load, you won't worry about a little further distance. If it is a small load then you might want to subtract $5 for the trouble.

Not sure if this will help you out, but this is all i do. If i go out to pick stuff up, whether it be curb shopping or buying a scrap car, i calculate cents/km. Or cents per mile for you guys. Iv figured out that my truck costs .33 cents per km to drive around. Say i drove 40km curb shoppibg round trip. 40x0.33 = $13.20. if im getting a car it'll be harder on fuel. So id go maybe .45 cents per km. Say its a 60km total trip, thats 27, round up so 30 bucks in fuel. Then i deduct that from what id offer the guy im buying scrap off of or i take it out of what id get at the yard, and put it towards fuel for my next run.

It sounds like alot to think about after i re read it but its really pretty simple.

Haha! I did spell that Wrong. Funny thing is I've spent the last 4 months painting so its true. :)

Anyhow this really is for trying to cut it close. Lots of people here do this. I have a network of frends that give me a heads up on the curb stuff and I follow the trash routes. I'm looking to cut more into the regular monthly/weakly pick ups. If I get enuff if them I can go self imployed.

Let me wrap my head around that Jord. Looks good