Recently I have had to do a lot of bids for work on properties that have already been completed by other people who call themselves preservation companies. As I don't mind the work I would rather obtain the work first hand instead of sloppy seconds. The up side to this is I have gained business because of it. It just makes me angry knowing how many people are giving the true professionals a bad name.
I had a conversation with an employee of another company in which he was excited about how he is always getting nice new stuff (ex. appliances, lighting fixtures and home stereo equipment)This came as a shock to me as I would terminate employment if any of my employees did this. Why would someone allow this and run the risk of being caught?

That used to fire me up too, but those guys don't last too long in this business.

I don't nor will I let my people keep anything that is removed in a clean-out. I have even had customers tell me that something is nice that I should keep it instead of just throwing it in the landfill. I always explain that it is against our policy to keep it, if that was the case that I would keep anything then how could I charge to remove it.

I am about ready to start a trash out only, business. If some of the contractors are like contractors in the construction industry, I know I'll be able to provide competant, reliable service.
Regarding keeping items from trash outs. I understand the point that you're being paid to remove it, not keep it. But on the other hand, your clients concerns are about cleaning a place out. I could argue that it is also wrong to fill up landfills with items that are still of use. Might it be better to keep or sell them to other people that may not be able to afford a similar item new? Money made can be recirculated into the economy and provide jobs. Another option is donating items to charity.
I am kind of looking at it as a perk to the job. Similar to airline employees being able to fly free or cheap; hotel workers getting free rooms; or food service workers getting free food.

UT Tele:

I agree; why throw it away if it is usable. Sell it on Craigslist or donate it to the Goodwill. That's what we do, as long as the goods are under the client requested value (usually combined $300-$500). Sometimes it takes more effort to donate, but right now in this economy, people sure could use it.

It actually doesn't take anymore time to donate than it does to take the trash to the landfill. Just load the donations at the back and the trash in front, then find a thrift store that's on way to the dump and unload there first.

With the massive amounts we are all taking away from REO properties these days, our landfills are not going to take much more and will shut down if we don't start limiting what goes there.

If anyone deliberately throws away perfectly good items, I'd say that they have NO consideration for others at all. If it's of value, donate it to someone who has nothing or can afford very little and can ONLY buy from the Goodwill.

And let's stop filling up the landfills with good furniture, clothing, bedding, etc. Does anyone have ANY idea how long the process takes to get a new landfill started up? Once yours shuts down, where are you going to dump the trash? Hopefully not someone's back lot or off the beaten path.

Richb ~ what do you do with the coins you see lying on the floors of the properties? If you pick coins up, then you need as flexible regarding any other usable items. Coins are just as valuable [in accumulated quantities, of course] as some of the furniture I've seen but I've never heard of anyone knowingly taking them to the dump.

Linda

Put out a notice on freecycling; they'll come over at your designated time and place and pick it clean for you.

I've had really positive experiences with the Salvation Army, too.

Linda

I have a neighbor who is a pastor at a local church and they help people find homes to live in and get them off the streets or from bad relationships. He will take anything from me. I just call him and tell him what I have coming in that evening from my crew and he tells me what he wants. He actually usually takes everything. Clothes I drop off at the big yellow bins that are at my local store. Furniture, toys, dishes etc that come from a non-infested home-I give to Pastor Wayne. It works out for us as well as for the people that are extremely needy. I hope that others will look into contacting local churches in their area to see if they have any type of program set up to donate goods. It really makes you feel good that you can help people out. My Pastor (pastor Karen) says that I am doing God's work. She calls it a mission and believes it is a wonderful thing. Trust me-people would rather you forward on the goods rather than throw them out.

Thanks for all the responses. I do agree that useful stuff should be donated to a charity or to someone that truly needs it. My problem stemmed more from people removing appliances that are in good working order. Or removing a light fixture from a ceiling because they liked the way it looked. Maybe it's the area I service that makes people just not care. I decided to write today's comments for one reason. I was dropping off my daughter today at my in-laws. When I pulled up to there house I saw several police cars across the street. It turns out the guy who was contracting to preform the services on this house was removing all of the appliances, lighting, and any thing else he could. This house is about three years old and has never been lived in. Maybe I take things to personal but that is just wrong. It's things like this that drive me crazy.

Now that sounds wrong and sounds beyond the scope of trash out. I'm still learning about this business, but removing "fixtures" and appliances doesn't sound right, and sounds more like a demo than trash out. I would think you'd verify whether to take appliances, but taking taking lighting seems ridiculous (unless it table or floor lamps).

I couldn't agree more with what you are doing. I have a preservation company here in Lexington, SC. I usually drop everything off at goodwill, but now I will be talking to my pastor and see if we can work with our church instead. This would greatly benefit our local community.. Also, if any one needs trashouts, etc. in Columbia, SC. I would be happy to help and I have great references..Thanks

UT ~

Yes, it is wrong and doesn't appear to have anything to do with a trashout. Most likely the vendor re-keyed the property, saw all of the new stuff in the new house, then returned to take it.

That, along with stealing personal property, is something that absolutely turns my stomach every time I hear, or read, about it happening.

I recently received a letter from a local thrift store [that contributes money to the AIDS research] asking me to donate good, usable items. I'll probably give that a shot and see how well it works. If they pick up from me, that's even better.

I think I might also canvas churches in the area to see which ones accept donations for local shelters and missions.

Linda

Sounds like to me you have criminals and felons posing as pm companies. Drop a low bid and clean out the bank. There is probably alot of these little operations going on and the cops haven't caught on yet.

Super ~

It's true in PP just as it is in every industry. All we need is a little bit of chaos and unconscionable people jump in like fleas on a dog.

It's sad. Fortunately, it's not a reflection of the majority of people, regardless of what they do or where they're from.

Linda