Posted by Ryan (NC) on January 05, 2007 at 21:52:42:
LMAO, I’ll bring the dirty toilet, dog pee soaked carpet and insulation, and few sheets of rotten plywood so that attendee’s can get the full experience if they want to partake. Ahhh how our prouder moments shine… I just can’t compete with this one. (yet)
Best wishes,
Ryan Needler
Dumpster Diving - Posted by Karl (Oh)
Posted by Karl (Oh) on January 04, 2007 at 23:07:14:
I just thought I’d share one of my prouder moments in this business.
A buyer who’s horribly behind called and left a message yesterday that she was dropping off at the park office (where I also share an office) the $975 that she owed to bring her payments current, and avoid eviction. She was also making a payment to the park for lot rent.
When I got to the park yesterday, there was only a money order for $475 waiting for me. Our park receptionist opened the envelop from the tenant, took out her money order, gave me my money order, and tossed the envelop.
I called my buyer today to ask why she only gave me $475? She freaked out. She swore there was a second money order in that envelop for $500 for me. I didn’t really believe her, she’s lied to me about everything else. The receptionist was sure she checked the envelop carefully before tossing it in the trash. All the park office trash went into their giant dumpster last night.
I told the buyer that she would have to get that money order replaced. That’s a 30 day process, according to the money order receipt. She got very angry that we lost her money. I told her that she could not get angry at anyone about this, we’ve been extremely flexible with her when she was late with payments, now she needed to be flexible with us while we figure this out.
But I really wanted that $500 now, assuming it even existed. That buyer may not be around in another 30 days to give it to me again. So I dove into the park dumster. For about a half an hour I rifled through the trash, in full view of three school buses dropping off kids, while parents and tenants observed my endeavor.
While in the dumpster, I discovered where my rehab guys had just dumped the old dirty toilet, dog pee soaked drywall and insulation, and rotten plywood from a rehab we’re working on.
Finally, I found the almost empty envelop. Inside was a $500 money order made out to me. I promise not to doubt the word of that buyer again (at least until she opens her mouth and begins speaking).
Karl Kleiner
Re: Dumpster Diving - Posted by Ed Copp (OH)
Posted by Ed Copp (OH) on January 06, 2007 at 17:24:16:
Well Karl, it looks like the receptionist owes you a pizza.
Now fess up, what are you going to do with the old toilet?
Re: Dumpster Diving - Posted by Gary
Posted by Gary on January 05, 2007 at 22:42:54:
Bet you open your own mail in the future Karl.
Talk about nasty jobs,my helper and I sorted thru that tarped junker you’ve seen on trips home to your mom’s. Tenant’s kids washed their hands of it when their dad passed away. It’s still needs towed but we are done inside and shed is gone. We kind of got addicted to rooting thru trash stacked to the ceiling with just a path. Hauled about 6 dumptruck loads out of LR to get a hole to throw trash from kitchen,and trash from first BR went to kitchen,you get the idea. The yield? Hard to say. For the time I probally could have been making more on a deal but coin was at $1100,($450 was my previous high), paper at $5-600 and at least $4-5000 in good tools,sporting equipment,etc.,etc.
Gary
Great Story! - Posted by Chris Reuman (Maine)
Posted by Chris Reuman (Maine) on January 05, 2007 at 22:40:56:
I guess that was a chapter Lonnie left out. Get checks delivered to your mailbox or dumpster. You are successful because you follow your gut and will do anything to achieve your goal. Congratulations.
Best investing, Chris
P.S. How many beers at the boot camp will $500 buy??
Re: Dumpster Diving - Posted by Ryan (NC)
Posted by Ryan (NC) on January 05, 2007 at 20:48:10:
Glad you got your money! I woulda paid to see that, I want front row seats for the live demonstration at the next bootcamp. 
If nothing else this business always remains interesting!
Best wishes,
Ryan Needler
Re: Dumpster Diving - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on January 05, 2007 at 09:50:09:
Karl will be sharing this technique and his dumpster diving form and entry at the next boot camp.
Please bring video and lawn chairs.
Tony
Re: Dumpster Diving - Posted by Anne_ND
Posted by Anne_ND on January 05, 2007 at 08:51:39:
Karl,
Great story, and given how, um, meticulous, you are in person, it’s a great visual. Thanks for sharing.
I think I would have made either the payor go into the dumpster, or if she could produce the money order receipt, then the receptionist. But nobody cares about your business like you do, so I can see why you did it. No chocolates for the receptionist…
Anne
this is why i could never make $$$ at poker… - Posted by Adam (IN)
Posted by Adam (IN) on January 05, 2007 at 01:56:18:
i can NEVER tell if my people are lying…at least not on a consitent basis!
sometimes i can, sometimes i’m totally wrong and i “go all in”, so to speak, in my mind thinking they for sure are telling the truth or for sure lying and all too often i’m wrong
in your case, i would have NEVER guessed they were telling the truth over the park manager…good thing i wasn’t all in…
oh and BTW isn’t it crazy the things you’ll do if you think there’s a chance to get some $$$ from our residents, especially a late/non payor!! plain and simple, if you read this and say “jumping in a dumpster?? i wouldn’t do that”, you won’t be around long enough to have to b/c i can assure you Karl doesn’t “have” to, it’s just a mindset thing
something for the “newbie’s” to think about…
Re: Dumpster Diving - Posted by Sailor
Posted by Sailor on January 04, 2007 at 23:53:31:
Can you post the pictures? Love it, Karl!
Tye
Re: Dumpster Diving - Posted by Tony Colella
Posted by Tony Colella on January 05, 2007 at 20:59:03:
Hey Ryan what do you say we figure out a way to convince Karl that the bartender at Friday’s accidentally tossed out his credit card at the next boot camp?
Lin could probably make an entire event out of it with little effort!