Asset Tag Shopping

I was just chatting with a close friend and colleague about this issue. I am in the used electronics industry and a constant issue that has exacerbated itself during CoVid is inbound product flow and keeping supply chains moving. I work with a bunch of local and regional metal yards where asset anonymization / client data security isn't as high a priority as for what I am doing. How would I feel in our niche market if I missed removing an asset tag and then someone circumvented me... Karma is definitely real. My buddy shared his experiences and that he has won contracts and retained clients because of that loyalty. I know that this fishing happens all the time but figured that this was one of those "unspoken" ethical rules? Is that a fair sentiment?

I have a rule. And while I know business is cut throat, I'll stick to it anyways. There is value in collating, storing, some sorting, and having the convenience of buying when you are ready to receive it. I have no idea what kind of customer they are behind those asset tags and would rather not know. I have had customers HERE send me monumental amounts of material laden with asset tags, and I still want nothing to do with their gig. They worked that customer, they earned it, they provide the service desired. Be respectful of that.

I completely agree with that sentiment. We actually used to use a major smelter until one of our close clients gave us a call saying that someone had called and was shopping for information based on finding their number in one of our loads. I think that illustrated 2 points. 1- this is such a small community that word gets around quickly. 2- Do right by your customers and they will be loyal in return.

It is a littlle more work but I make sure all asset tags are removed before reaching their destination where ever that may be