You’ve seen them everywhere… guys in beat-up trucks, covered in mountains of junk. These guys are junkyards, and they make their living by collecting unwanted and unused items and turning them in for cash. It’s a booming 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 are your own boss! Those reasons, along with skyrocketing scrap prices, are the reasons more people join the ranks every day. So if you decide to take the plunge, follow my advice on how to take YOUR scrap metal business to the next level.

First of all, you are essentially at the mercy of the general public when trying to hoard junk. For a lot of people, the guys who come begging for scrap can be a bit standoffish, and it can all be a bit intimidating. Make sure you look somewhat presentable, approach with a smile and welcoming body language. Always offer a firm handshake and provide some type of literature about your company (yourself) and what you are doing. It could be a business card, or even something as easy as a cheap black-and-white flyer at Kinko’s. You’ll be amazed at how professional and legit this makes you appear, and it will instantly lower your potential junk dealer’s defenses! Remember, building relationships with local business owners and small metal handlers is the best way to establish repeat customers and generate a CONSTANT source of income.

Second, make sure your equipment is correct. The best source of higher dollars is higher scrap prices, but having the right tools to get things done in less time and with less stress also puts more dollars in your pocket. Time is always money, regardless of the business you are in. Having plenty of room, whether it’s in an old cargo van or especially a makeshift trailer, will ensure that you NEVER have to pass up a good thing for scrap. Chances are, what you see now isn’t there and you’ll get it back… so the more you can fit, the more you can collect! Also remember, spending time broken down on the side of the road is less time you’re cashing in on high scrap prices, so regular maintenance and keeping your trusty steed running is essential.

Compare too. There are many companies that offer all kinds of different prices for scrap in various grades of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Learn about the patios, all the patios, in your area. Learn about their strengths and what materials they offer the lowest prices on. Also keep in mind your distances, driving time equals gas money…and spending an extra $10 on gas to get $0.05 higher scrap price on 10 LB of brass doesn’t make sense…or pennies! Don’t be afraid to keep a little black book full of addresses, phone numbers, lists of what to bring, where and when, and all other kinds of notes and information that might come in handy.

Meet the days of the garbage. A large amount of scrap metal can be picked up alongside residential roads during garbage days. As we all know, not all neighborhoods have the same garbage day. Make yourself a small color-coded map based on the day each area takes out its trash. This should result in less money spent on gas and more scrap collected in less time!

Know your metals. Sorting makes prices higher. Know how to process things, break down elements and extract higher value scrap from the rest. All kinds of instructional videos can be found on the Internet to explain how to properly and safely break down all kinds of everyday items. The informed scrapper is the profitable scrapper. This is a job, just like any other…and you definitely get exactly what you put in!