My new advertising

[MMFJ]

Joe,

As nobody else has commented on the FANTASTIC job you did in your breakdown description, I wanted to express it myself.

Many a serious business can benefit from this list - I know that I saw some interesting differences and am looking for ways to match your results in some areas (in particular, finding a recycler that will take all my printers and 'low-end' ewaste stuff. I have found that some simply grind it all up, but we don't have the facilities for that and are currently just palatalizing them (while we have the space - a few more weeks and we'll have to get an answer or break them all down ourselves). I spoke with a lady the other day that is interested in scrapping all the computer bits, so we'll see how that goes.

At any rate, I have printed off your 'how to get rid of e-waste' list and will refer to it as I get a bit further into all this.

 

[joem]

well not really oops emoticom but humble, it's just my way of dealing with what I come accross. I have been asked if I still recover gold and the answer is yes. I have two mason jars ( plastic lids) of A/p on the go because LaserSteves method ( see his website for how to vids if you have not done so already) is so darn easy and fun to do.

 

[joem]

I was reading some old posts and came across keyboard tossing and thought this would be a great charity fundraiser event.
I also thought of Ewaste Olympics;
Mouse in empty monitor screen - ie bean bag toss
Cell phone in toilet toss
stuffy Virus relays
stacking competions
Hardware art competition
Variuos food venders - for fundraising, charities etc.
Vendors
sponsers
Robot dance competion
kids play zone
Wire trimming speed trails
Tower teardown - speed trails
as well as an ewaste collection event.
Swap meet
Any more ideas outhere?

 

[goldsilverpro]

Good website, Joem!

I want to congratulate you on your Mar 27 post on this thread. You really summed it up well how a person can actually earn a living in this business. I like it that you are farming out your refining.

 

[joem]

Hi All
I planning and setting up for my May 26th event.
Here is my flyer.
I can customise it for your event if you need one.

 

[devo]

Joem you have got an amazing talent for doing up graphics stuff. I've been wanting to do up some for myself to mail out around here, I think I'll be chatting with you about it soon.

Great Job!

 

[FrugalRefiner]

joem,

Love your idea but be careful with the wording. With no other qualifiers, the poster implies that (All) proceeds go to the charity. Don't want anyone getting the wrong impression and giving you grief if that's not the case.

Dave

 

[joem]

joem,

Love your idea but be careful with the wording. With no other qualifiers, the poster implies that (All) proceeds go to the charity. Don't want anyone getting the wrong impression and giving you grief if that's not the case.

Dave

I'm not too worried, most of the people bringing stuff are the parents of the 300 students at the school. I don't expect a large amount of people driving to the location. There are about 5 events like this every week here in the city and they all just say ewaste for charity - people around here are used to it and get the picture.

 

[FrugalRefiner]

I understand completely!

I spent way to much time working with lawyers in the medical billing business.

Dave

 

[MMFJ]

be careful with the wording. With no other qualifiers, the poster implies that (All) proceeds go to the charity.

The quick-n-easy way around this is simply to be appointed (and accepted) as a collection center (or whatever the charity calls it) where you can hand out receipts directly yourself.

As a matter of course, the charity does not want JUNK, they want CA$H, and therefore, must sell it off to the highest (or contracted...) bidder (which happens to be you). Any/all MANAGEMENT fees associated with this process are deducted prior to giving the remainder directly to the charity coffers (with, of course, a receipt showing all fees associated, etc.) Most people understand this if they think about it for a second, though it is always good to cover the tracks!

Making statements such as "All proceeds go to charity" are correct and 'legal' (I would never state such a thing as I'm no judge or anything, but have never been shown otherwise - I taught creative asset protection for over five years, with a group of attorneys and CPAs that know their business....)

This is exactly how I'm setting up my shop - working with a church as well as another large organization (because not everyone likes to donate to churches!) to take donations where folks want "more" for their JUNK than I can pay. It will give them the option of writing it off and depending on their tax bracket, they can actually 'make' more than they will by selling it to pretty much anyone - one of those 'facts of the rich' that few know about.....

 

[joem]

I thought about it and changed it to " In Support of" and I put it in script on the top corner in an angle.
Also MMFJ make a value price list for receipts. My friend constantly get stuff donated and he runs a charity and the people think the items are worth hundreds and even thousands of dollars as scrap. But if you tell them in writing, what can they say but no thanks. Think like scrap yards that have a metals price list, you can't really argue with them.

 

[schomisch]

Joe you have been very helpful and beneficial to my business =)) Thanks so much for the great new flyer designs. Very talented!

~Chris!~

 

[ΩPhoenix]

That's a really Awesome Flyer!

 

[joem]

Just a little update
I went into a western union outlet, who happens to do computer repair. So of course I asked about his ewaste and he said he sells to a buyer who send him a shipping label from Toronto. I told him what I do and how I help others, and can help his business too. He agreed to sell to me instead because he likes what I do and he likes a local guy ( me ) better.
I said it before and I'll say it again;
believe in what you do and talk to others about it.

 

[joem]

Being very busy on a few special projects I have not updated this topic but here is a little bonus I found out.
A recycle company bought out another scrap metal recycle company here. SO as I do, I walked into the office to talk with them. It turns out they buy from my current ewaste buyer and have offered me a better price than I currently get for all parts within a tower. They are real nice but so is my current buyer, I'm kind of conflicted but It's a nice conflicted feeling.

 

[rewalston]

Good Job Joe. Wish I were so lucky. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

[MMFJ]

Being very busy on a few special projects I have not updated this topic but here is a little bonus I found out.
A recycle company bought out another scrap metal recycle company here. SO as I do, I walked into the office to talk with them. It turns out they buy from my current ewaste buyer and have offered me a better price than I currently get for all parts within a tower. They are real nice but so is my current buyer, I'm kind of conflicted but It's a nice conflicted feeling.

Just as true as the fact that we change our friends as we grow (or are destined to stay in the same place....), it is true that we must, on occasion, change our business relationships. It is common sense and good business practice.

You should go for the best price/deal you can get. You didn't go hunting for the source, it just came in your normal course of business.

I had a similar experience just today about my worker, whom I really like a lot personally, as well as the fact that we met because he was selling me a lot of equipment his father had and also collectibles his mother had (both passed away in the last few years and he has made money from selling the belongings...). He has been 'iffy' at showing up to work, telling me that he'd be there and then not showing all day and then showing up for only an hour or two (enough to make some cigarette money....) etc.

A few days ago, he introduced me to a friend of his that has just been kicked out of his house and was moving into a storage room just across from me. The guy brought me a load of computer stuff, etc. and then saw my scrap pile and asked about it. I told him he could take the CD carcasses and then asked him if he would like to work a deal where he'd scrap out the hard drives (about 150 sitting on the shelf, still...... even after telling my worker I wanted him to tear them down three days ago.....) and bring me the cards and magnets, keeping the rest for his work (scrap aluminum and some stainless plus some steel, etc.). He liked the idea and I think it will work out great for me as well because my worker is S L O W at best in tearing them down and it would cost me just about what I make from the boards and scrap to pay him for the time. This way, I get the parts I "want" and he is happy as well.

We also worked out a similar deal on the CD/DVD drives (only a few dozen right now as my worker did do them the other day) and I am very happy with the arrangement - I don't have to worry about the time it takes him and I get the 'goodies' I want - a serious win-win.

Except for my worker..... but, if he is not giving me the best deal, I have to move on to where I can get it, just like you do!

 

[nickvc]

The hardest part in been the boss is taking those decisions that we don't want to take and shedding staff is perhaps the hardest but one that has to be done for the business to survive and prosper. I think that all owners of small businesses find sacking staff hard as they become colleagues and you get to know their life and circumstances but the truth is they will take advantage if allowed and can come to resent the fact that you seem to have all that money while they work to survive, little do they know the stress and worries that go with been the owner, if times are tough you get paid last if at all for the business to survive... Bite the bullet and warn the guy he's on a short notice if he doesn't shape up, I'm sure there's plenty of people who would love a job at present.

 

[joem]

I now have a buyer who will pay a mere 20 cents less for any green board that contains chips. He also sends me daily price lists and for example his price for MB is $3.24 and "chip boards" is $3.02 a pound. I used to only get 24 cent an pound for them, It well worth saving them now. :lol:

 

[joem]

Well, A little update.
I just signed on another Canada Comp store ( that's two of three here) and a private computer guy and now I pay another store $5 a tower but they must be complete which has doubled the amount of towers I get from this store. I am also sending another load to Glondar to get me some shiny yellow stuff.