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  1. #1
    Samthescraper started this thread.
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    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.


  2. #2
    KzScrapper's Avatar
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    You forgot about "P" as in Scrapper or Scrapping.
    Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesaler
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    "Give them enough so they can do something with it, but not too much that they won't do nothing."

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  4. #3
    billygoat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Samthescraper View Post
    My problem is that in my area there are a lot of scrapers to compeat with, not to mention places that are scraping themselves.
    This is scraping:


    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.

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  6. #4
    parrothead's Avatar
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    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.
    "64K should be enough for anybody." - Bill Gates 1981
    http://www.treasurecoastelectronicrecycling.com/

  7. #5
    jord0690's Avatar
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    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.
    If I didn't have bad luck, I'd have no luck at all...

    GC Metal Recycling & Recovery
    Barrie, Ontario.

  8. #6
    Samthescraper started this thread.
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    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


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