Should I feel bad for scrapping?

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05-31-2019, 12:31 PM
kss

Should I feel bad for scrapping?

I scrapped a bunch in high school for gas money, it was a lot of fun. Since then I have gone off to college, graduated, and worked a few years with a steady income in a good career (that I enjoy and still work at). Finding myself without any real hobbies, I started scrapping again, I love it, it is a lot of fun, like treasure hunting. I love taking stuff apart and finding stuff. Im not doing it for much profit, more for fun/enjoyment. Someone mentioned to me that by me taking scrap from the curb, I am essentially taking money from people who scrap for a living and to feed their kids and pay their bills, and I dont feel too great about that. How do people on here feel about amateur scrapping? Ive been trying to only go as close to when the trash truck comes so I only take stuff that for sure is going to the dump if I dont take it. Giving others the chance to get the good stuff.... what are peoples thoughts?
05-31-2019, 12:42 PM
JohnC4X4

First come >> First get
05-31-2019, 01:05 PM
kss

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnC4X4

First come >> First get

Yea, thats my thoughts as-well. I guess I just am trying to ease my guilt for possibly taking a few bucks from another random scrapper. But for all I know the other guy thatll take it if I dont is just doing it as a hobby too. Or no one will get it and itll go to the dump. Im just looking for some validation here that im not being greedy or a butthole. I enjoy it. Its stuff in the trash. Im not going to feel bad about it I guess. Thanks!
06-01-2019, 02:26 AM
jimicrk

So the next time you see a 20 dollar bill in a parking lot, you should leave it for the next person that comes by. They may need it more than you.

Ha! yeah, screw that.

You don't need validation and you shouldn't feel guilty.

You should find that "someone" that put those thoughts in your head and tell them to kiss your arse.

Keep doing what you enjoy and welcome to the forum.
06-01-2019, 06:56 AM
Patriot76

I believe scrapping is the worlds second oldest profession and as such anyone can do it. Many individuals come and go because it is hard work when you do it right. Remember the people you are concerned about had to start some how one day. For me there is more than enough scrap to keep us all busy, or at least as busy as we want to be. The other scrappers in my area are pushing business my way because they do it half a$$. They do not pick up after themselves, cherry pick items, and act like the customer owes them something. If you follow the local laws and act professional you might just set an example for others to follow. Final word, no one has a monopoly on scrap in a free enterprise system.
06-05-2019, 09:03 PM
CapitalRecovery

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimicrk

So the next time you see a 20 dollar bill in a parking lot, you should leave it for the next person that comes by. They may need it more than you.

Ha! yeah, screw that.

You don't need validation and you shouldn't feel guilty.

You should find that "someone" that put those thoughts in your head and tell them to kiss your arse.

Keep doing what you enjoy and welcome to the forum.

$20? Some fool dropped a penny at the store this morning, looked right at it and walked away. I was next in line bent down and picket it up. A penny saved is a penny earned. As for feeling bad about getting the scrap, my thought is "The early bird gets the worm."
06-06-2019, 01:03 AM
jimicrk

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapitalRecovery

$20? Some fool dropped a penny at the store this morning, looked right at it and walked away. I was next in line bent down and picket it up. A penny saved is a penny earned. As for feeling bad about getting the scrap, my thought is "The early bird gets the worm."

I pick up pennys also.
06-06-2019, 03:21 AM
t00nces2

Yesterday I was out on a rural (not really rural anymore, but I live in the past) stretch of road and passed by what I thought was a battery/jumpstart/power supply out for trash. I was on a bit of a mission so I decided to get it on the way back. When I returned, I pulled over and went to check the power supply (empty and stripped), but the pile next to it (which I had thought useless) was 20 aluminum light diffusers for a drop ceiling. I went straight home and grabbed my trailer to pick them up. FWIW, I was more worried about getting back to get it before someone who needed it more got there to take them!
06-06-2019, 03:36 AM
hobo finds

I figure there will come a time in my life when I will not be able to scrap anymore, when this time comes around I plan to put out my metal items for others to have. I can't see it going to the trash or city recycling program when it could help others.
06-09-2019, 09:56 PM
SKWrapper

Quote:

Originally Posted by kss

Someone mentioned to me that by me taking scrap from the curb, I am essentially taking money from people who scrap for a living and to feed their kids and pay their bills

It's nice to see that you are thoughtful of other people but.... hogwash.

You aren't the only hobby/amateur scrapper out there. You also are not the only one with a career to scrap either.

You as a part time/amateur can never collect enough to "deprive" someone of any income, at least not in a normal sized town or city.
06-10-2019, 09:51 AM
kss

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKWrapper

It's nice to see that you are thoughtful of other people but.... hogwash.

You aren't the only hobby/amateur scrapper out there. You also are not the only one with a career to scrap either.

You as a part time/amateur can never collect enough to "deprive" someone of any income, at least not in a normal sized town or city.

Thanks! Good to know. Yea, I dont even have a truck yet and have mostly been focusing on broken or used electronics recently, not larger things like grills, water heaters, etc, etc. I cant fit the large stuff in my sedan so its mostly the smaller stuff I am taking anyways for now. Thanks again for the reassurance.
06-11-2019, 09:13 AM
hills

One way of looking at it: It's all just competition for an available resource. It's not personal ... it's just business.

Sometimes it's all just luck of the draw. You just happened to get there a few minutes ahead of the other guy. Sometimes it's the other way around and you lose out. Sometimes you're the windshield ... sometimes you're the bug. ;)

A lot of the time it's the effort and work ethic you put into something. Don't you deserve to be rewarded if you're making a sincere effort and the other guy is just half a$$ing it ?

Maybe it's just one of the unwritten rules of the free enterprise system ? You put your own self interest first ? The other guy has the personal responsibility of putting his interests first ?

It may seem immoral & selfish at first but it's actually a very moral way of doing things. There's plenty of room to be a decent human being after you've met your personal obligation to yourself.
06-12-2019, 04:26 AM
eesakiwi

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimicrk

I pick up pennys also.

I pick up the small change too.
Somebody once asked me "Why? Its only Ten cents"

"Yeah" I answered

"But that Ten cents saves me from getting a $10 parking ticket"
06-22-2020, 04:28 AM
recyclersteve

I wouldn’t feel bad about picking something up that someone else might have gotten later. You have no real assurance often times that picking it up will be worth it. For instance, taking it apart could take a lot more work than expected. Also, the scrap yard may be paying lower prices when you sell from what you remember them paying.
06-26-2020, 11:15 AM
mmerlinn

Quote:

Originally Posted by kss

Someone mentioned to me that by me taking scrap from the curb, I am essentially taking money from people who scrap for a living and to feed their kids and pay their bills, and I dont feel too great about that. How do people on here feel about amateur scrapping? Ive been trying to only go as close to when the trash truck comes so I only take stuff that for sure is going to the dump if I dont take it. Giving others the chance to get the good stuff.... what are peoples thoughts?

IF it is put out on the curb for anyone to take, not a problem at all.

However, if you are in an area where it is ILLEGAL (by law) to take it, you are putting yourself at risk. A lot of places have laws against taking ANYTHING put out for the garbage man and doing so can cost you a fine or worse.

Further, what if the owner put it out for a friend to pick up and you happened to get there first? Could be another legal mess for you.

To be safe, I would ONLY take something marked FREE or I would ask permission FIRST. Those are the only two ways I know of which would avoid legal issues.
06-26-2020, 04:10 PM
kss

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmerlinn

IF it is put out on the curb for anyone to take, not a problem at all.

However, if you are in an area where it is ILLEGAL (by law) to take it, you are putting yourself at risk. A lot of places have laws against taking ANYTHING put out for the garbage man and doing so can cost you a fine or worse.

Further, what if the owner put it out for a friend to pick up and you happened to get there first? Could be another legal mess for you.

To be safe, I would ONLY take something marked FREE or I would ask permission FIRST. Those are the only two ways I know of which would avoid legal issues.

Its been about a year so far and I have been doing more and more scrapping, and curb shopping. About 3 days a week. I got over the feelings in this post pretty quick lol.

As far as liability, there are tons of scrappers around here and it is general/common knowledge if you want to get rid of something put it by the curb/garbage.

However if there is ANY doubt its trash I leave it. Dumpster diving is a different story and is illegal (or at least a grey area) as far as I know, so I have stayed away from that even though I want to give it a try.... but not worth the risk.