Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: cormy on May 24, 2006, 11:16:19 am
I always stop and peek in dumpsters especially if they are in front of old buildings. It can be exciting taking that first peek over the top. I often call myself a "dumpster diver" since I will jump right in if I see something decent (or non decent) in some cases, I just can't seem to allow something to get thrown away, never to be seen again, if it has some age and is some what collectible to me. Luckly I haven't been caught, although they are throwing it out. Saved some old tire signs and other old stuff from an tire shop/gas station being gutted, contacted the owner (executor) and she said they were getting money for the "scrap value" of the material, I tried to get her permission to go through the dumpsters every now & then but she seemed to think all the old equipment is better scraped and really didn't say I could. I still stop by when no one is present--can help myself, seems like such a waste. I did give her my number and asked her not to throw out signs and such. I have to watch it since the owner has just passed away, and its an emotional time, might over do it. Am I wrong??
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: Eric on May 24, 2006, 12:40:13 pm
Nothing wrong with that... tell her you collect old signs or want them for your garage.
and you'd buy them You are probably going to be better money than the scrap value.
We have big trash pick up twice a year in my town and a friend and I go out every time
He found a pinball machine last year and this year He met the guy as he was rolling out a
Arcade game (Star Ship I think) still worked they just didn't want it anymore...
As long as you're not breaking the law why not?
and you'd buy them You are probably going to be better money than the scrap value.
We have big trash pick up twice a year in my town and a friend and I go out every time
He found a pinball machine last year and this year He met the guy as he was rolling out a
Arcade game (Star Ship I think) still worked they just didn't want it anymore...
As long as you're not breaking the law why not?
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: dr galaga on May 24, 2006, 06:10:47 pm
| Quote (Eric @ May 24 2006,1:40) |
| As long as you're not breaking the law why not? |
Could be considered trespassing or, in the case of the owner getting scrap money, theft. Just be carefull!
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: vend_dr on May 25, 2006, 08:04:28 pm
Up until about 2 years ago I would go with some friends to northern Minnesota and dig through old resort dumps looking for old beer and soda cans along with anything else of "value". Normally we would have permission but in some cases we would have to get a little sneaky.
I have retired my dumping rake, as the last few years people wouldn't give permission and with the way some are you may end up getting shot at if you try to be sneaky.
The stranges place I ever dumped was on an island in the middle of Lake Vermillion still a lot of nice things there (including a Model T) but it is hard to dump by boat.
Writing about this has reminded me of a dump where there are at least 2 Coca Cola coolers sitting under some pine trees, at the bottom of a hill which were in suprisingly good condition. Would be almost impossible to get them out of there as it is an old town dump which has been closed for many years and you are unable to drive into it so you would have to winch them up the hill and then carry them across soft ground the length a football field.
I have retired my dumping rake, as the last few years people wouldn't give permission and with the way some are you may end up getting shot at if you try to be sneaky.
The stranges place I ever dumped was on an island in the middle of Lake Vermillion still a lot of nice things there (including a Model T) but it is hard to dump by boat.
Writing about this has reminded me of a dump where there are at least 2 Coca Cola coolers sitting under some pine trees, at the bottom of a hill which were in suprisingly good condition. Would be almost impossible to get them out of there as it is an old town dump which has been closed for many years and you are unable to drive into it so you would have to winch them up the hill and then carry them across soft ground the length a football field.
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: Eric on May 25, 2006, 09:18:13 pm
True Doc is right! Be careful! Don't hop fences! But if you've talked with the owner and they don't mind
or it's a junk yard or dump site and they don't mind of course. But if you see something,
in my case last year, find out who owns it and wait till they come around and talk with them.
Nothing is worth breaking the law or getting into trouble.
or it's a junk yard or dump site and they don't mind of course. But if you see something,
in my case last year, find out who owns it and wait till they come around and talk with them.
Nothing is worth breaking the law or getting into trouble.
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: BrianB on May 26, 2006, 06:50:56 am
You are absolutely right, Eric! This hobby is supposed to be about fun, not gettin' in trouble! I know it sucks to see "perfectly good" stuff being thrown away as trash or recycled as scrap but it really is the owners perogative to do what he/she wants to do with it.
There's this old Choice Vend 7up machine that sits in a wooded lot that I drive past everyday coming to and from work. I never got up the courage to go up to the house that sits next to it and inquire about it. My buddy from work did though and boy did he ever get an earfull! The old lady barked at him saying that the machine was her's and it wasn;t for sale and never would be. She'd rather just sit and watch it rot.
Some days I think about staging a clandestine snatch-and-grab op to extricate that tired old soldier but that's when unfortunately reality sets in and I realize that not only would I be trespassing but I would also be stealing........
There's this old Choice Vend 7up machine that sits in a wooded lot that I drive past everyday coming to and from work. I never got up the courage to go up to the house that sits next to it and inquire about it. My buddy from work did though and boy did he ever get an earfull! The old lady barked at him saying that the machine was her's and it wasn;t for sale and never would be. She'd rather just sit and watch it rot.
Some days I think about staging a clandestine snatch-and-grab op to extricate that tired old soldier but that's when unfortunately reality sets in and I realize that not only would I be trespassing but I would also be stealing........
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: vend_dr on May 26, 2006, 07:17:21 am
Brian's story above reminded me of an old Nesbitt's machine outside of a lodge (which doubled as a small store) at a resort. This resort has seen it's better days as some of the cabins are literally leaning and appear ready to fall down, it is run by a lady who was 86 and still working as a substitute teacher. Any way while we were inquiring about a dump across the street we casually asked about the Nesbitt's machine and she launches into a rant (literally she was screaming at us) about how it was her husbands who had tragically died in a small fire in the lodge/store in 1956 and that no could touch the machine and no one had been allowed into the lodge/store since then. You could see the inside of the lodge/store still had product on the shelves and cases of full nesbitt's bottles could be seen too.
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: cormy on May 26, 2006, 09:18:51 am
I am thinking about taking the stuff I like from the "scrap" dumpster and slipping an envelope with money under the door explaining that this is way more than the scrap yard would pay for the few items that were taken.
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: collecture on May 26, 2006, 10:25:18 am
Do I detect a sense of guilt setting in?
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: Eric on May 26, 2006, 10:39:02 am
Hmmm... But I don't know what the temptation is...
If it was a 1930s-50s Soda or Petro sign in excellent condition laying in a scrap pile I
would agree it would be tough... I don't know what I'd do.... but if it's a sign from
the 70s-now try talking again with the owner... show them that you collect and
that you'd pay better than scrap price for it.
Good topic - What would most do if it was a Round Top 56, complete, laying in a pile of scrap,
easily accessible, knowing without a doubt it's going to be crushed? And the owner could care less
about it but yet would not give/sell it to you?...... Hmmmmmm... Yesssssss... very tempting.....
If it was a 1930s-50s Soda or Petro sign in excellent condition laying in a scrap pile I
would agree it would be tough... I don't know what I'd do.... but if it's a sign from
the 70s-now try talking again with the owner... show them that you collect and
that you'd pay better than scrap price for it.
Good topic - What would most do if it was a Round Top 56, complete, laying in a pile of scrap,
easily accessible, knowing without a doubt it's going to be crushed? And the owner could care less
about it but yet would not give/sell it to you?...... Hmmmmmm... Yesssssss... very tempting.....
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: cormy on May 26, 2006, 12:53:40 pm
Guilt?? sure. I'm not the type of person. I feel this is a "gray" area that has good and bad points. Probably the reason I posted it. Can I rationalize doing the owner a favor by tripling (or even more) the amount that could be salvaged?
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: davethebirdman on May 26, 2006, 01:43:03 pm
I don't understand the dilemma.
If I saw a RT of any description waiting to be carted away and thrown out I'd nab it, before someone else did.
If the previous owner (That's what they are if they have given up all rights to the property) wanted to argue the point I'd then consider opening my wallet and waving a bit of money. But not beforehand.
Don't know what it is like in the US but over here because of all the new regs YOU pay to have your item scrapped rather than the other way round. I love going down the Local Authority tip and having a look. Found a first print "With the Beetles" LP the other month in amoungst a load of other LP's. Wish I'd taen the whole box now rather than just the one Album.
Dave
Dave
If I saw a RT of any description waiting to be carted away and thrown out I'd nab it, before someone else did.
If the previous owner (That's what they are if they have given up all rights to the property) wanted to argue the point I'd then consider opening my wallet and waving a bit of money. But not beforehand.
Don't know what it is like in the US but over here because of all the new regs YOU pay to have your item scrapped rather than the other way round. I love going down the Local Authority tip and having a look. Found a first print "With the Beetles" LP the other month in amoungst a load of other LP's. Wish I'd taen the whole box now rather than just the one Album.
Dave
Dave
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: sodaworks on May 27, 2006, 08:05:47 pm
I say "rescue" the junk before the scrappy gets it. Junkie's know what old signs are worth. Talk to the owner again. I like the idea of the cash under the door. 
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: SIGNGUY on June 02, 2006, 03:06:19 pm
If it's valuable enough like a RT 81 or 56 or any RT for that matter and the owner was just scrapping it.
A nice crisp $100 bill sure could change his mind, as your loading standing in the driveaway with a trailer or pickup! If all else fails and your concious can handle it...slide in around 2am, out by 2:15 and never look back!
A nice crisp $100 bill sure could change his mind, as your loading standing in the driveaway with a trailer or pickup! If all else fails and your concious can handle it...slide in around 2am, out by 2:15 and never look back!
Title: How far do you go........???
Post by: davethebirdman on June 02, 2006, 03:32:17 pm
I don't think I could bring myself to taking anything off a trailer or a car without making sure it was destined for
the dump. You never know you could be having away somebody's pride and joy who decided to get an early start and load up the night b4.
the dump. You never know you could be having away somebody's pride and joy who decided to get an early start and load up the night b4.