Another lesson learned...

Should've known something was up when the call came at 10:45 on a Saturday night. Right in the middle of our dart tourney.

It was a big, steel, 250lb+ desk. In the goddam basement. I tried to not accept the call, but the guy was persistent and somewhat physically limited.

Long story short, we got it out. Barely. Although no incidences occurred, I keep reliving what could have happened had the dolly swung out, or had we damaged the trim or a wall, or incurred physical injury.

The whole episode has made me rethink my 'business model' as it were to include the following changes:

- free scrap pickup will apply only to items already outside the house (ie: curb, back/side yard). A labour fee will be applied to any items removed from inside the house

- If removal is done from within the home, I plan to have the homeowner sign a waiver releasing me from any damages that may be incurred during the removal

That is a very good idea. I won't pull something out of a house unless I know the person, but if the need occurs, I will create a paper/waiver removing liability on me for damages.

I have a co worker that said she has a boiler down in her basement and said I could get it. I don't expect her to remove it from the basement and she already stated that she won't hold me responsible for damages. I will have her sign something anyhow.

I see the point of a labor fee and waiver, but if anyone up near me started charging a fee for stuff like that, they'd be out of the job. Scrappers up here are a dime a dozen and the person would probably just find another scrapper that didn't charge anything.

Besides, isn't 10:45 at night a little late to be scrapping? It sure is for me

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Originally Posted by Scrap man

I see the point of a labor fee and waiver, but if anyone up near me started charging a fee for stuff like that, they'd be out of the job. Scrappers up here are a dime a dozen and the person would probably just find another scrapper that didn't charge anything.

Besides, isn't 10:45 at night a little late to be scrapping? It sure is for me

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I agree with you, scrap guys are everywhere now days.. but i try and seperate myself from the guys who would go pick up 250 lbs of light iron out of a basement for free. Theres a fine line between whats worth doing free and whats not. I picked up a cast tub and a stove today.. i charged $50, only because the items were still in the apartment. The guy asked " dont you guys usually do it free" theres the stereo type.. like a scrap guy is just some scrub that will break his back for $20. I told him if the items were outside the home and i can just back up to them with my truck and load them, yes id do it free.. but theres a labor charge involved, especially since im going to need to bring 1 guy to help. Sure enough i get there and the bathroom is TINY! barely got the tub out.. Anyway i feel like you should always mention the fact that if needed you might have to charge a fee, and then you can determine that once you get there.. its just a way to cover your own @ss.

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Originally Posted by BigIgg

Theres a fine line between whats worth doing free and whats not... its just a way to cover your own @ss.

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That's the way I'm looking at it.

Always make it know that you are doing a free pickup and not a free removal...

Got a call today for a washer n dryer, computer, n related items...been takin $10 off my bros tab, that he will never pay off, each time he comes to help me out with a pickup..get there n ask the lady to open the garage door...she states they are in the basement...of course I asked her if they were ready to pick up prior to arriving...went down grabbed the computer stuff, loaded it, n told her I needed 50 to grab the washer n dryer...she got upset, but I explained to her originally the deal n that we were not movers...settled on 40, cuz she didnt understand the situation...

Worked out decently for me on this one, but be careful n specific

It's not a bad idea to include an additional charge per flight of stairs

Before driving to a basement job I would ask about corner stairs and ceiling height. Some of it may be lower under ducts and beams. The basements of old houses were not designed as living spaces. Since I lived in a house with corner stairs, those memories are too fresh to take another job like that.

Seems charging works for plenty of folks, George does it, Burly, and quite a few others..and they aren't hurting for business. They aren't in NYC but their cities ain't exactly small either.

You call me up asking me to move a cast iron tub out of your bathroom/basement, **** right there will be a charge. I charge for console tvs, all the time, and no arguments. It's either give me the 20 bucks to take it down the stairs to the van, or you drag it down, and I'll do it for free. Till then, I'll continue to charge 20 bucks to carry a heavy ass wood enclosed tv down a flight of stairs and into my van. If your to cheap to pay me, then I suggest you have it waiting downstairs in the driveway or garage. :)

10:45 being to late to scrap...haha..wish someone told me that ages ago. I get some of my best curb finds after 11pm.

Sirscrapalot - Sun, Sand, and tired dogs...a good day on the sandbar.