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Post by farmer on Dec 1, 2006 0:08:39 GMT 1
In this area we have recycling bins for cardboard, paper, tins, and plastics - collected weekly - so all my cardboard gets put out for collection, and I usually fill about four bins a week. It has never yet been queried as trade waste - my guess is that the collection is sub-contracted to a company who have a performance target related to tonnage, so I am actually doing them a favour. However, if I do one day get pulled up on it, or if local councils do introduce charges for waste collection, then I will revert to leaving the packaging with the customer. Extending the subject a little, what do you all do with the rest of the rubbish ? Here are a few ideas : - I save all the foam pads from venetian and roller packaging and deliver them to a local nursery school, where the kids use them for sponge painting. - the zip lock poly bags go to the local angling club, who use them for sorting and storing all the wierd and wonderful things that fishermen use - elastic bands ! For quite a while I saved all these for a local autistic lad (customer's son) whose school project was to make a football out of elastic bands (as featured in a documentary about Africa). Also, just for a laugh, I once dumped a load on our postman's doorstep ! He saw the funny side, took the hint, and our streets are now just that little bit cleaner. - screws (why do always get so many left over) - when my kids were younger they used to bag them up (zip lock poly bags again) and flog them at a local boot sale to earn some pocket money. Now they are older they can't be bothered, but there must be somebody who can use them. - do any of you keep the headrail offcuts used for protecting and packaging vertical blinds. Is it worthwhile ? What price do you get for aluminium scrap ? Why can't Hillarys collect these on the delivery van - surely they must get a good scrap price for the tonnage they produce ? I'm not a complete green 'save the environment' nutter but, if something can be re-used or recycled, what's the harm. Any other ideas out there ? sell the cardboard to your local waste trader yourself. most areas have companies that buy waste paper and cardboard. |
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Post by desmorse on Dec 1, 2006 0:08:51 GMT 1
For over 17 years, I've not taken the rubbish away, unless it's been for an elderly customer or a miserable cow.
Appreciate small profits can be made, but there's easier ways to earn a living than faffing about with bits of cardboard and stripping old rails
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Post by lukan61 on Dec 1, 2006 1:13:48 GMT 1
I never take the rubbish away! I fit blinds, not a dust bin man. If you have Sky tv or a computer installed they never take the rubbish.
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Post by Blind Scout on Dec 1, 2006 2:16:49 GMT 1
Always save the scrap pieces of headrails, a vert cardboard box full can net ?10 plus.  You neede to let me know your scrappy. I took a trailer loaded with Al scrap, Vert headrails, Ven slats, drink cans and other misc Al scrap. Total weight was around 750kilo, netted £55. Had suggested to Hillarys, reusable flat pack packaging should be developed and used, but the reply was negated on a) It would be difficult for the drivers to put return packaging on the van to not interfere with next drop. b) labeling on boxes would become messy. c) Agents wouldnt be rat arsed bothered to return them. Screws always seem to be used, although I find it would be better not to supply them as a kit with a particular blind but to supply boxes of sizes as requested by agents. Vert always supplied with 1.25 x 8's, but often use 0.75 x 6 into wood. Vens always supplied with 0.75 x 6's often have to use 1.25 or 1.5 x 6's. And what do I do with all the wall plugs apart for bagging them and selling them at sale of works or other charitable events. If you ask for 35mm Ven brackets for a 25/15 Ven, why do they always supply both. And a DOR gives a duplicate set. However, you rarly get hold down clips if requested. Elastic bands are saved up and find a home with the customer, or I use them for cubs and scouts (indoor pioneering using garden canes, held with the bands) Cardboard is recycled in customers recycle bins after asking. Not found a use for the cardboard angle sometimes used on longer blind packaging, although offered to schools for crafts. Like Herticulus, sponge foam offered to schools for painting. (some of the type supplied in the past was very soft and fine and worked wonderful as make up sponges for theatrical players. Self seal bags for holding others and selling in 10's, or for holding small parts. |
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Post by royt on Dec 1, 2006 8:37:21 GMT 1
never taken rubbish away since i satarted, you got to take command with customers, tell them when your fitting not give them options, ask to put rubbish in their bins. tell them its a 50% deposit...the only thing i struggle with is taking cash...I hate it...I must spend an hour a week in the post office......couple of agents i know, don't take cash deposits...think i'm going to move down that route, but i think it will cost me sales
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Post by grumperbear on Dec 1, 2006 9:43:57 GMT 1
l always take all the cardboard away with me. l think it leaves a good impression with the customer.
Customers old blinds are only taken away for the elderly or disabled.
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Bear
Full Member
Posts: 230
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Post by Bear on Dec 1, 2006 12:06:02 GMT 1
never taken rubbish away since i satarted, you got to take command with customers, tell them when your fitting not give them options, ask to put rubbish in their bins. tell them its a 50% deposit...the only thing i struggle with is taking cash...I hate it...I must spend an hour a week in the post office......couple of agents i know, don't take cash deposits...think i'm going to move down that route, but i think it will cost me sales Old skinflint Bear here again==="Never Take Cash" you say--you are missing another earner mate!! Take the cash--pay the deposit with your own personal plastic, and as I am a "rate-tart" I scavenge around for cards that give a cashback or a bonus on turnover. A big cash balance like I took last Saturday (Over a grand) paid to Hillarys on my plastic wont be billed to me until after Xmas and I have use of cash in meantime. Result. Hillarys happy as cleared money on my account and in their Bank. Customer happy--dodgy cash earned on the black ( he was a British Gas man--and they have more fiddles than the London Symphony Orchestra!) got rid of to his benefit, and me happy as I will have bonus points from Beneficial Credit Card Co. Trebles all round I say ( But only on my plastic!) Only thing is check cash for dodgy notes--which I tell customer about BEFORE I count it--do it right and they wont complain--the girl at the Bank does it to them if they pay in!! Think "sideways" folks---I found it pointless ranting at RossK and all his tribe of wonkers ( Spellcheck where are u when I need you?) about getting my money stolen by Hillarys, and being shafted every way up, so now I look for the positive side in everything to make a few quid, and Hilarys provide so many options for bettering your deal that I am quite happy now, and blunder along in my own sweet way. My lad is back from Helmand Province tomorrow in one piece, and will not be going back there as his next posting is a rank up and teaching survival in Arctic Canada after he goes back from leave in early Jan. We will have some fizzy pop tomorrow and it all looks good now. Me and wife have been going round in a daze for 5 months since and so thankful all is done there. End of rant Cheers Bear |
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Post by dorblindfitter on Dec 1, 2006 12:13:21 GMT 1
What a load of old rubish ;D
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Post by hereticus on Dec 1, 2006 12:47:32 GMT 1
My lad is back from Helmand Province tomorrow in one piece Great news, Bear ! Have a fantastic weekend. |
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Post by thelloydgang on Dec 1, 2006 14:18:02 GMT 1
Bear
That's great to hear about your son! Enjoy the fizzy pop tomorrow!
Karen ;D
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Post by desmorse on Dec 1, 2006 16:03:02 GMT 1
never taken rubbish away since i satarted, you got to take command with customers, tell them when your fitting not give them options, ask to put rubbish in their bins. tell them its a 50% deposit...the only thing i struggle with is taking cash...I hate it...I must spend an hour a week in the post office......couple of agents i know, don't take cash deposits...think i'm going to move down that route, but i think it will cost me sales Like bear, I transact cash on a Morgan Stanley cash back card. 2% for the first 3 months, then 1%, but in small print 0.5% after the first £2k each year. For deposits, I explain to customer I'm transacting on my company charge account as it speeds things up, then change the printed receipt to cash. For deposits, I simply do the the card transaction at home when it suits. you can even do it through your broadband connection and save data costs. Advantages ... Still take cash No trips to bank Commission paid sooner Money sat in offset mortgage account for a month No "lost" payments at h/o Cash back so far about £300 in 8 months Hillarys happy as preferred method of payment and a d**n sight less effort than farting about with cardboard and scrap metal  mmmmmmmmmmm so I can say FART but not d**n  |
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Post by russell on Dec 1, 2006 17:53:03 GMT 1
never taken rubbish away since i satarted, you got to take command with customers, tell them when your fitting not give them options, ask to put rubbish in their bins. tell them its a 50% deposit...the only thing i struggle with is taking cash...I hate it...I must spend an hour a week in the post office......couple of agents i know, don't take cash deposits...think i'm going to move down that route, but i think it will cost me sales Like bear, I transact cash on a Morgan Stanley cash back card. 2% for the first 3 months, then 1%, but in small print 0.5% after the first £2k each year. For deposits, I explain to customer I'm transacting on my company charge account as it speeds things up, then change the printed receipt to cash. For deposits, I simply do the the card transaction at home when it suits. you can even do it through your broadband connection and save data costs. Advantages ... Still take cash No trips to bank Commission paid sooner Money sat in offset mortgage account for a month No "lost" payments at h/o Cash back so far about £300 in 8 months Hillarys happy as preferred method of payment and a d**n sight less effort than farting about with cardboard and scrap metal mmmmmmmmmmm so I can say FART but not d**n Same here use a similar method stopped cash 6 months ago .As for all you trainee scrap men I earn more in tips taking rubbish away than recycling all I then do is put it in the bin collection pile in the next town/street. Its been my best November ever have done 41k so far so Ive not been around much in answer to the forum being quiet I know a few people equally as busy . |
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Bear
Full Member
Posts: 230
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Post by Bear on Dec 1, 2006 18:50:23 GMT 1
In that case then I had better say" HART "as well, before the Thought Police put a stop to it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyone else for a part (small Tart) Bear Red ;D |
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Post by desmorse on Dec 1, 2006 21:03:05 GMT 1
Its been my best November ever have done 41k so far so Ive not been around much in answer to the forum being quiet I know a few people equally as busy . Yeh, but we've only got your word for that Russ. Not like when Ray was publishing the figures and I beat you on every month published  |
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Post by owl on Dec 2, 2006 3:46:23 GMT 1
Its been my best November ever have done 41k so far so Ive not been around much in answer to the forum being quiet I know a few people equally as busy . Yeh, but we've only got your word for that Russ. Not like when Ray was publishing the figures and I beat you on every month published Just watchin the cricket (ashes) Nice to hear folk doin well........... hope it keeps fine for yee as in no 3-99 ..4-99 ..5-99 ..6-99 Then lets see who's smokin! And i dont just mean 3-99 etc for a month or two. Try twelve or so.... then publish stats |
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