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They are not stolen
they are from a old business that went out of business along time ago
my grandma who is a hoarder bought them idky she did . I asked her if can scrape all the metal trash in her garage, and she said yes
Is there anything i need do so they let me scrape them , do i need to cut them down or anything?
Here in my area (Southern Cal.) it is on the list of items most reputable scrap yards won't take. I would contact any scrap yard prior to trying to sell them, as here they can be shut down for receiving stolen property. Would certainly help you if your grandma could provide a receipt, bill of sale, maybe even a canceled check might help. I think any yard is going to want a "paper trail" to cover their a$$ and would be a good idea to cover yours as well.
Having a letter with permission would be the best option, but you say the company is out of business so that's unlikely. Any chance your grandma got a receipt with them? Or if's well know the company is no longer in business your yard may not mind.
Normally a yard would frown on one bringing in shopping carts. Perhaps some of the folks here who work for a yard, or have can chime in for you on this, as it's not your typical.."Can I sell a walmart cart I found to my yard?" case.
Good luck, an if they say no, don't take it personal.
Oh..an I also believe there is a thread or post on this with a bit more detail, from a year or two back. Can't hurt to try an track it down.
Sirscrapalot - Keeper of the traveling cooler.
The older carts have those interested in buying them for use and projects if they are in nice enough vintage condition.
Owning a scrap yard I can say that almost state Ive ever read the laws in and in every state we hold a license in shopping carts are considered restricted metals and need proof of ownership. Usually its best when ever possible to make sure you have a receipt showing they were legally obtained but with the business being closed for years that can be hard if a receipt was never obtained or has been lost over time. The only time I accept shopping carts regardless of the store open or closed is if there from a DOT or state clean up site im doing (have one of them now were on with several shopping carts from AMES department store that use to be in Calais Maine) I dont accept them from the public in any cases unless I can verify the paper trail.
If you cant get proof of ownership some scrap yards may accept them but some may need them cut up to the point they dont look like a cart anymore, but this will depend on the state laws or in some cases county regulations on scrap sales.
Best to call around since some smaller yards do make the exception, but its still a gray area with closed stores and selling shopping carts for scrap depending on the state your in since anything can get the yard charged with accepting stolen property if a inspector or local / state police show up at the wrong time to check the records, or yard for stolen property and they dont have proof of ownership for that one item.
How old are the carts? Would they be considered a "obsolete" style that is not popularly used today?
As someone that manages property, I have to deal with shopping carts. We have a company that we contact, that returns the carts to the owner (merchant) they belong to. They get paid to return them and even pay us too! They also sell used and reconditioned carts and carts to other companies. In any major city these companies exist, shopping carts are expensive to buy so there is a market for used ones. There is also some websites that have some neat alternatives for shopping carts, I would look at all my options before I scrapped them for pennies per pound. People should never steal them though, they cost somebody a lot of money and are usually considered private property.
On our properties they are usually just liabilities and we want them gone as soon as we find them!
I'd try to resell them. A lot of small businesses like to have a couple for odd jobs. Since they don't weigh that much, I'd bet that someone would pay more than scrap value on them.
You have to have a receipt like Burt said. Our yard needs to have proof on file of items on the ''do not buy'' list. If we buy any of those items without you giving us proof you are allowed to have and sell them we can get fined.
Is there anything on what would be considered a "obsolete style" cart? Carts that most businesses would not want to use as it would be behind the TIMES and fashions?
I have many old grocery carts as well as tons of older store fixtures.
I also have a very nice selection of items marked U. S. Government Property and such that are perfectly legal to own, sell, buy and trade as long as there are not local restrictions and such.
It mostly boils down to IF a PRIVATE person is trying to break the laws and such.
Now a business such as a scrap & recycling yard must abide by and follow the rules, regulations, laws, policies and such that are part of doing BU$INE$$.
The red tape and paper trail are designed for a reason, even though the reasons are mostly political in form.
So in this case of salvaged shopping carts, Are they a older style that is obsolete for popular use and are they in nice enough shape for others to want and repair and use for art and hobby or small biz.
If rusty and bent up, It should be obvious that they are scrap.
powder and paint makes things seem what they ain't
remove wheels and sell for projects . cut the carts down to tube stock and bar stock as welders, machinists or hobbiests will use it. the mesh panels also occational has resale value. scrap the rest. cut down like that you can scrap them.
at that point they are components not a shopping cart. its like cars you cant get titles for or cost is too high to justify... if they are not recognizable as a car they can be hauled in without title restriction. so you cut them up to smaller chunks and haul it in.
Never had an issue around here
boats too without a title.Quote:
Originally Posted by bcrepurposing
"Yard says cut it in half now its not a boat"
Eric
It may be your state, but our yard takes cars without titles. I was able to pull some trim pieces off a 1986 Dodge truck that was bought from a Sheriff's sale without a title. I know that Montana also doesn't require a title.
Don't scrap shopping carts in usable condition.
There is a big demand from small independent stores, thrift stores in particular.
They are also excellent for material handling.
Once I get my warehouse I will get me a few somewhere for moving stuff around.
I bought some years ago on eBay when I was big time into used books.
Best time and back savers ever!
And they are stupid expensive, if you have to buy them new.
But them on CL and ask 40-60 bucks a piece (depending on size).
Yes with proof of ownership or you got to do a lot of breakdown (not worth it) best idea as mentioned try to sell it or better donate it...