Vent: Rag and Bone Men.

kathrynha

Our local Rag and Bone man is a pretty decent guy. He comes round on his horse and cart, and if he sees something in your garden he knocks on your door and asks if you want it. He comes round about once a week and it's an easy way of disposing of unwanted large metal objects which the council would charge to take away.

No shouting, no taking without permission, no stupid times of night or day, and if you're lucky his horse will leave you some manure for your flower bed.

DigForVictory

If the Council won't do anything, might a Community Watch type event be in order?

I wouldn't advocate an early alarm for anything less than at least 10 supersoakers (high pressure water pistols, the more useful ones with several litre tanks) loaded & ready though.

(Have the patio cleaning tackle within reach in case anyone not in on the plan looks twitchy, & restrain all pets.)

Zinger549

warehouse wrote: »

Ours has a bell he hangs out of his window and rings. It catches your attention without being in your face so to speak.
I like the fact that I can put something at the top of the drive and it's gone within 48 hours usually. They've had a tumble drier, washing machine, patio heater, metal frames etc etc.

If they turned up blaring music from a megaphone then not only would I complain immediately but I'd also stop putting the stuff out.

The one that comes down our road does the same. You can hear him but it's not annoying.
I think some of them assume if it's in your front garden then you want to get rid of it.

silverwhistle

Zinger549 wrote: »

I think some of them assume if it's in your front garden then you want to get rid of it.

Yep, my neighbour was asked whether the mahoosive anchor and chain in their garden - all part of a shingle and marine plant design - was scrap. He was left in no doubt, and the guys who come down our close have all been told their registration numbers have been noted. They do provide a useful service though, and I got rid of an old oven and hob, although I do think they may make more profit on occasional "finds" like that anchor!

Robisere

We have one pair who come around our Close about every 2 to 3 weeks in a Transit Dropside truck. They know we are a Sheltered Housing complex and that the Senior Citizens !!!!! would be on their case! No noise, no door knocking, just parks up and gives us all time to tell him if we have anything, drives off. There have been times when I have friends in the village who have said they want something taken away, I have told them and they thank me courteously and drive to the address. Once they even helped one of us take shopping to the door.

The driver works with his son, they were both made redundant a few years ago and jobs are scarce here. They used their redundancy money to buy the truck and an old warehouse for storage. They have told me that their intention is to eventually make enough from that, gardening and a little Courier/transporting work, to buy some land and set up a proper Reclamation business. They are both attending college twice a week to learn about Reclamation.

Now I don't know about you, but I see them as real entrepreneurs and a million miles from being "Rag 'n Bone men".

Morglin

Our rag and bone man is great -comes along with his horse and cart, takes any old rubbish, and if we are really lucky, the horse leaves a large pile of manure for our roses....:T

Hadn't seen one for years before this guy started up, but he saves us a fortune when we want to dump stuff (the council charge to take rubbish).

Long may the Steptoes of this land thrive!:T:beer:

Lin