Issue Date: March 23, 2003
TOSS YOUR TRASH
JUNK: We've all got it. And most of us want to get rid of it. I constantly look over old suitcases, sporting equipment and clothes and think about dumping it all to free up space. But then a sporting event comes on TV, or I get another project from my wife, or it's just a great day outside. By then, cleaning is the last thing I want to do.
It turns out I don't actually have to spend time to get rid of all this stuff. 1800gotjunk.com, a Web site and service, will come and do it for me.
This service has been in existence since 1989 in Vancouver, British Columbia, but CEO and founder Brian Scudamore recently expanded the company; franchises now serve more than 20 U.S. cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. By the end of the year, he expects to be picking up junk in nearly 85 cities.
Most junk removal outfits are very localized or cart off very specific products (like tree-trash-removal.com). But all you do at 1800gotjunk.com is click on "request removal" and fill out a request form. Within 12 hours a representative will call to confirm.
The cost is based on volume. An eighth of a truckful costs between $65 and $99, depending on the city; a full truck costs $338 to $478. That includes pickup and a thorough cleaning of the space before leaving.
It's not the ultimate bargain, but if you think of time as money -- as I do -- it can be a really good deal. Plus, if you have enough junk to require a truck rental, then you're approaching tangible value here.
Most of the junk goes to dumps, with 50% being recycled, Scudamore says, although "sometimes our guys do sell it on places like eBay."
Maybe one day you'll wax nostalgic about that lava lamp you tossed and have a chance to buy it back.
-- David Lipschultz
|
