500lb of Ferrous

**bcoop** · 12-02-2011, 10:16 AM

This is a question for those of you who scrap for a living and deal with a lot of ferrous metals. If a potential client offered you 500lbs of ferrous scrap metals with the possibility of an additional 500lbs every three or four months and this person lived within 25 miles of you. Would you be interested? How long would it take you on average to get that metal picked up? If by chance it took you longer than your stated time to pick up would you call them and let them know? And last but not least would this type of client be substantial enough to compensate in some form albeit it financially or perhaps with some scrapping tips and advice.

Thanks

**easyrecycle** · 12-02-2011, 10:21 AM

500# x $0.1 = $50

avg person could pick up 60pounds. 60 / 500 = 8 pickup and load if you can pick up that much at one time. ( do not know what kind of metal this is.)

Send a worker out there and if it takes them more than one hour...he took to long...worker cost $10 for one hour

25miles should cost around $8 MAX

So you can look at a running cost of $18 to make $32.00

Not much room to offer them much money..but if they saved up 1,000 pounds there will be more room to work.

(fuel cost will go up more but the more you can load up in one trip the better.)

**Mick** · 12-02-2011, 10:30 AM

I get leery of that "possibility of more in the future" stuff. I've heard that too many times in this and other industries. I deal with what's here right now.

**Filthy** · 12-02-2011, 10:35 AM

thats what the plumber who gives me boilers offers me. its about the same deal. i dont pay, i just pickup and keep it moving. sometimes i need assistance from a buddy of mine to move them, because they are 500-600 lbs a piece for the residential units.

if i keep a good relationship with both him and his customers, he keeps calling, but like mick said, i dont rely on any of the promises

**bcoop** · 12-02-2011, 10:49 AM

Great comments so far. I scrap part time and don't want to deal with nor do I have the resources to haul big loads of ferrous. If a part time scrapper told you that you could have all his ferrous byproducts would that not sound a little enticing? Would you at least not want to establish a relationship with them and find ways to create a win/win scenario? I guess I have become a little disenchanted with what I read and what I actually see. For example on any given day i see all these ads stating. "we will pick up any appliance anytime" or "Will travel to XX counties for scrap metal" as well as "Same day service" yet here I am going on two weeks and I have a no show and no response for the second time. It’s not like I live out in the boonies or am even asking for money on a per load basis. Perhaps I am contacting the wrong people...

**easyrecycle** · 12-02-2011, 11:01 AM

It all so comes down to getting your name out. When you are first starting and people dont know you...your not going to get much..just a few things here and there. But the longer your around and people see your name and phone number popping up every where you will start to get more. Then people will start to give your info out to family and friends for when they have some thing they need done and do not want to do it ( a clean out) you slide in and get the job done.

on a side note. Even if you go to a job and they JUST want you to take the metal...clean up at the job site if there is trash and even load the trash in there dumpster or in the back of your trailer....that will go a long way for them to call you back....I cant even start to tell you how much money a $30 something dollar sweeper made me....just get the WIDE warehouse kind with a LARGE dustpan and two 5gallon buckets. (I have a 55drum I haul around for this kind of thing.)

**Mick** · 12-02-2011, 11:08 AM

So the "client" in the first post is yourself? You're wanting someone to sell your metal to? Why not just put an ad on CL - 'approx 500 lbs of scrap metal for sale"? Include a picture. Then get their number or email address.

For me, the "possibility" of 500 lbs of iron every 3-4 months would not be anything to get excited about. I have several people like that who call or email when they have a load, though. I don't pay for it. It's a service to keep their area clear.

**Filthy** · 12-02-2011, 11:20 AM

thanks, mick... after you said that it made more sense what he was really asking.

"why wont anyone come take my iron?"

**easyrecycle** · 12-02-2011, 11:25 AM

Mick now I understand what he was saying...I was kinda lost there.

Get more weight and call the yard and ask for a roll off.

**bcoop** · 12-02-2011, 11:59 AM

Yes yes i'm the client; perhaps my first post was a little cryptic. Just been trying to establish a relationship with what I hope would be a "reliable and trustworthy" scraper with the hope that it could possibly develop into a win/win situation for the both of us. I'm 0 for 2 right now and wondering why they don't show or call back when they seem so desperate and willing in their ads. My first ferrous load I had ready to pick up sat out so long (waiting to be picked up) that it got stolen in the middle of the night. Now I have another that’s at least 500lb and I'm going on two weeks with two no shows. I would love to get more and have a yard bring a roll off but I don't have much space and have to store it on the side of my house. It’s the only spot I got.

I guess I could post an ad on CL- I’m just Leary of who I do business with and was hoping find one on my own terms. I prefer to pick who I do business with rather than have to "filter" who I do it with. So far that does not appear to be working for me.

I guess I'm just dumfounded at how "willing" and "ready" these scrappers appear in there ads yet they don't follow threw. Its basically false advertising.

**EcoSafe** · 12-02-2011, 01:05 PM

u have reached the right place, most here are proffesionals, those on Craigs list for the most part are not. if there is some one close to you from this forum, I am sure they will contact you and solve your problem.

**hobo finds** · 12-02-2011, 03:45 PM

There may even be a member on here from the part of Utah you are in.

**Mechanic688** · 12-03-2011, 12:08 AM

Or maybe a want ad to hang up at your local yard, the eager/hungry ones will call you, you won't have to fret around.

**Ditchdigger** · 12-03-2011, 11:15 AM

My first ferrous load I had ready to pick up sat out so long (waiting to be picked up) that it got stolen in the middle of the night.

Then leave the next load out, with a note for them to call you. Obviously there's somebody nearby that wanted it badly enough to haul it away for you...

**GeorgeB** · 12-03-2011, 12:40 PM

Regardless if it is an individual, or a company, never rely on promises, even if the company throws out a few hundred pounds every week. Always rely on there NOW not the FUTURE!

Gas and other expenses change all the time.

500lb of Ferrous

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