How I Get Computer and Electronic Scrap Free and Make Good Money With It

Lately I've been focusing most of my salvage and recycling business on building materials and parts for alternative energy systems. I use a lot of this at my own home and sell some to earn a living. But, given the soaring prices of gold, silver, platinum and other non-precious metals, I've recently gotten back into electronics and computer salvage and recycling.

Here's what I'm doing

I live in a rural area so I'm:

• Running ads on Craigslist telling folks that I'll pickup used computers, monitors, printers, electronic games, cell phones -- anything electronic for free. People are more than willing to give these things away in most regions of the country because they usually have to transport these things to recycling centers and then PAY to recycle them. Since I'm in a rural area, I've setup scheduled pickup days so I don't burn too much gas. I have a small Nissan pickup that normally does the job and if I luck into more, I have a small 8 foot trailer that I build from a Harbor Freight kit.
  
  
• I've also negotiated relationships with recycling centers in most of the towns and where there are no recycling centers, I've made a deal with a local market to allow folks to drop off their electronic stuff there so I can pickup.
  
  
• Recently I stopped at my local thrift store and there were two old 60s vintage IBM workstations and a mini-computer. These early computers have many times the thickness of gold plate on fingers and backplanes compared to newer computers. These were dumped at their back door when they were closed. They figured, rightly, that they had little chance of selling them and were very happy that I would take them away right then. So, I stop at all the thrift stores and leave them a flyer and cards so they know who to call when they get too many computers and the like - and they get a lot.
  
  
• I also post flyers on any bulletin board I can find and leave a few at each yard sale I visit.
  
  
• Freecycle works out quite well. I post wanted ads frequently and always get a good response. I also place ads in my local free giveaway classified newspapers. they're cheap and a lot of people read them from end to end.
  
  
• Magnetic signs on the doors of your truck or van help as well.
  

How I Make Money With All This Electronic Stuff

I've found that a lot of the computers are fairly new and have been replaced because they've gotten slow, crashed or just don't run right. Frequently the problem can be fixed by simply running a chkdsk and defragging the hard drive. Next step is to check for viruses, spyware and malware. I did find it difficult to get really good software and information about viruses, spyware, malware and their removal until I found a really good manual that explains it all plus provides the software to do it right. It's saved me a lot of money and precious time.

Doing these two things to the recent computers gets them running good again. Good enough to sell easily for $100 to $300 depending on what it is. I usually charge around 20% of what stores charge for a comparable computer. I also mix and match, taking parts from two to make one good computer and the like.

The older computers and ones that aren't reusable I scrap out for precious metals and parts. It's been awhile since I've dealt with a refiner so I'm still checking around. I used to get a very good deal from Cascade Refining in Salt Lake City, Utah, but before I use them again, I'll send a small test quantity of boards and connectors and see how it comes out. Some folks also sell this stuff on eBay, but for now, I'll stay away from that. It is an option though if you are so inclined. I've learned from previous experience that it does not pay me to refine myself - too dangerous and time consuming.

As I find out more about legitimate buyers of parts, details of amounts of precious and other metals in various computers and components and refiners, I'll post here so you can learn about them as well.

Complimentary Money Maker

I had trouble finding really good software that would really help getting a slow, virus infected computer going again. I finally found a really good manual about it and good software as well. Actually it is an entire business plan for making a good living just removing viruses and malware for people. I'm doing this on the side for the people who haven't yet bought a new computer and are trying to keep their old one going. Check out this spyware and virus removal manual and software for yourself. I found that it is well worth the money.

Check here, if you'd like to learn more about my decades in the home based salvage and recycling business.

Best of Luck

www.RecyclingSecrets.com for Free Home Based Salvage and Recycling Information Including: Metals, Deconstruction and Used Building Materials, Gold and Precious Metals and E-Waste. Check out: How to Make Money in the Home Based Salvage and Recycling Business

How to Make $15 to $50 and More With Your Pickup or Van

This is not a pie-in-the-sky get-rich-quick-scheme. As a recycling and salvage business person I have hauled a large variety of stuff and made good money at it. The information in the following eBook can help you to do the same. If you are interested in starting a home based business that pays good and requires little startup cash or equipment, this may be just the opportunity you need. I've found that just one good idea is worth way more than the purchase price AND if it doesn't work for you, you get your money back - no questions asked. Can't beat that.



Learn more about making $15 to $50 per hour with your van or pickup

Heavy Storms, Extreme Weather and Aluminum Salvage and Recycling Opportunities for the Home Based Recycler

March 3, 2011

The other day I received the following email:

"Hi Mike, there were heavy storms through here this week and I am assuming that there is a lot of aluminum to be scrapped. Should I contact any individual, residential agent? Are some better than others? Are any buyers better than others? I also need to know, for the aluminum scrapping what tools do I need? What about transportation? I am assuming that my HHR is too small. True? Do I need a full-sized truck? Something smaller? I really need your help getting started."

My response:

Hi - I'm not sure what an HHR is, but a small truck and/or small trailer will work fine for hauling aluminum scrap - it's relatvely light compared to iron.

The aluminum sheet used on trailers and awnings is normally approximately 4' by 8 or 10'. It is often dirty, meaning that it has screws and caulking on the edges. To get the best price it must be cleaned. Simple hand tools do the job. I use battery powered drills with various attachments to remove screws and pliers and utility knives for the caulk, although you can sell it dirty but you'll get much less per pound...

Click here for complete article

Welcome to All of You New Folks Who Have Purchased the Salvage & Recycling Ebook

Hi - It looks like we've all gotten past the holidays and are ready to go to work. Welcome to all the new folks that have purchased the eBook in 2011. I'm very gratified with the response.

Recall that the eBook is just the beginning. It is a summary of what has worked for me in the Salvage and Recycling business. Many of the ways I found material, disposed of material and marketed myself will work for you, but you may need more help. I'm here to provide just that. There is no general blueprint or step-by-step plan that would fit your specific needs, skills, expertise or locale. So, I look forward to hearing from you, answering your questions and help you devise a specific plan that will work for you.

Note that if I think your questions or comments and my answers will be of interest to others, I'll be posting them on the blog being sure, of course, to not reveal your email, identity or location. If you do not want me to do this, please be sure to let me know.

Also, when corresponding with me, be sure to send your messages from the same email account that you used when you purchased the eBook. Otherwise I may never see your message and we don't want that to happen.

These are hard times and I worry that they may get harder. It's a good time to be in this business.

Best of luck to you and thanks again for putting your trust in me.

Mike
RecyclingSecrets.com
How to Make Money in the Home Based Salvage and Recycling Business