You’ve seen them all over…guys in beat up pick-up trucks, covered in mountains of scrap metal. These guys are scrappers, and they make a living collecting unwanted, unused items and turning them in for cold hard cash. It’s a flourishing industry these days, and it’s one of the only fields in America where how hard you work is directly related to how much money you make. And best of all – you’re your own boss! Those reasons, coupled with sky rocketing scrap metal prices, are reasons why more people are joining the ranks every day. So if you choose to take the plunge, take my advice on how to take YOUR scrap business to the next level!
First and foremost, you’re essentially at the mercy of the general public when trying to accumulate junk metal. To a lot of people, the guys coming up asking for scrap can be a bit stand offish – and all be it a little bit intimidating. Be sure to look somewhat presentable, approach with smiles and welcoming body language. Always offer a firm hand shake and provide some sort of literature about your company (yourself) and what you’re doing. It could be a business card, or even something as easy as a black and white flier you run off at Kinko’s on the cheap. You’d be amazed how professional and legitimate this makes you seem, and will instantly lower the defenses of your prospective scrap provider! Remember, building relationships with local business owners and small time metal handlers is the best way to establish ongoing clients – and generating a STEADY source of income.
Second off, make sure your equipment is correct. The best source of higher dollars is higher scrap metal prices – but having the correct tools to handle things in less time, and with less strain also produces more dollars in your pocket. Time is always money, regardless of what business you’re in. Having plenty of room – whether in an old cargo van, or especially in a makeshift trailer – will ensure you NEVER have to pass up some good to go scrap. Most likely, what you see now won’t be there will you get back…so the more you can fit, the more you can cash in! Also remember, spending time broken down on the side of the road is less time you’re cashing in on high scrap metal prices – so regular maintenance and keeping your trusty steed running is essential!
Shop around, too. There’s plenty of companies offering all sorts of different scrap metal prices on various grades of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Know the yards – all of the yards – in your area. Know their strengths, and what materials they offer weaker pricing on. Also be aware of their distances, drive time equals gas money…and spending an extra $10 in gas to get $0.05 of a higher scrap metal price on 10 LB of brass doesn’t make sense…or cents!! Don’t be afraid to keep a little black book full of addresses, phone numbers, lists of what to take where and when, and all other sorts of notes and information that might come in handy.
Know the garbage days. A whole heck of a lot of scrap metal can be picked up alongside residential roads during garbage days. As we all know, not every neighborhood has the same garbage day. Make yourself a little map color-coded based on what day each area puts their garbage out. This should result in less gas money spent, and more scrap metal collected in less amount of time!
Know your metals. Sorting makes higher prices. Know how to process things, how to break items down and extract higher valued scrap metals from the rest. All sorts of how-to videos can be found on the internet to explain how to properly – and safely -break down all kinds of every day items. The informed scrapper is the profitable scrapper. This is a job, just like any other…and you definitely get out exactly what you put in!!
