U-R-G On the Go
An informative podcast for the United Recyclers Group. Each week we will feature an entertaining guest that will share their knowledge and information with you, providing you with tips and tools to help you become a more profitable business.
U-R-G On the Go
Repurposing Key Fobs for Cash and the Future of Car Access
Have you ever stumbled upon a pile of seemingly useless items and seen a golden opportunity? That's exactly what sparked the creation of We Buy Key Fobs, a tale of innovation and industry insight that Jason, the head of procurement and supply director, shares with us. As we journey through the company's origin story, from a simple observation at a car dealership to a thriving business, we uncover the pivotal role of relationship-building in carving out a niche in the key fob procurement realm. The conversation is not just a trip down memory lane; it's packed with handy tips for listeners on how to turn those forgotten key fobs into cash, reflecting the company's commitment to ease and customer service by covering shipping for generous batches.
Then, we turn our attention to the future, examining key fob technology's trajectory towards heightened security and the potential for biometric and app-based vehicle access. With Jason's expertise, we shed light on the current market demand for key fobs and reveal which ones can fetch a pretty penny. This episode is about more than just key fobs; it's a celebration of the synergy between URG and Team PRP as we gear up for an epic conference where industry professionals can connect, grow, and discover unique offers. Join us for an episode that's not just a conversation but a resource for anyone in the key fob game or looking to learn the ropes of a fascinating industry niche.
Welcome Wynn and all you are on the URG, on the GoPriKET, I'm your host, dj Harrington, better known as the par-deologist, and in the towing industry they call me the co-doctor. But on URG, on the GoPriKET, we do our best each and every episode to bring you informative information that you can improve your bottom line, and today is no different. We have a head of procurement and supply director for we Buy T-POPs one and only. Jason, you're on as our guest today. How are you doing?
Speaker 2:DJ, thank you for having me on. I'm doing well. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1:Well, let me tell you, you and I met way back in 2015 at a URG. You and your brother were having a cold one and I walked over and you said we read your articles all the time. We do like one and I said well, I only drink Stella.
Speaker 2:You remember that.
Speaker 1:And you and your brother teased the hell out of me and said well, we'll get you a Stella.
Speaker 2:I do remember that DJ and DJ. This is like a full circle moment for me, man, because back in 2015,. I mean, that's when I like first started this place, right, that's when we kind of first started it. You know, fast forward nine, 10 years from now, I'm on a podcast with DJ Harrington. You know, like this is full circle moment, like dreams come true, man, you keep doing it. You can be consistent with everything and it's awesome, so thank you for the opportunity.
Speaker 1:Dj. Well, jason, I thank you very, very much. Would you be kind of? We have listeners and I have to write off the top. Thank all of our listeners for telling other people to go online to URG on the go podcast. We have almost 400 little 400 outside the United States that listen on a regular basis, but inside the United States we're between eight and 9,000 regular listeners each and every episode and they're all archives, so I can't thank you enough. So, paul Diadamo and Rob Rainwater and Ryan Falco and all of these guys Even the other day someone said they were re listening to Dailin Zarkman and because he was the keynote speaker and everybody sat there and said what a great one, and this one is really great Would you be kind of tell a little bit about our to our listeners? How did we buy key pop start?
Speaker 2:Oh man, dj, this is a really good question. So at first it all started with my brother, jj. I said I agree now, which I'm very honored to be able to say he's my brother, because I wouldn't be in this position I'm at today if he didn't see the potential in me. How it started back in the days I, while I was growing up with JJ, I would always see him kind of, you know, doing businesses different, trying out different business ventures. And he was working at a used car auto dealership right, and he noticed a box of key pop just laying on the ground and he noticed that customers were asking do I get a second key pop when he would sell a used vehicle? Well, he saw two it's really put together and said, hey, I need to find a way to buy more key pop. So what, what? What better clever way than to say we buy key pop? I?
Speaker 2:mean he nailed it right on the back. The company speaks for itself. We buy the key pops. So back to your original question, dj. Yes, it all started with a box of the key pops laying on the ground 10 years ago that JJ found and we started sourcing more key pops.
Speaker 1:And he's listeners. I want you to know Jason's brother, JJ, is one of the most gifted people in the high tech industry today. You know very gifted guy and you have a very gifted brother, a very wonderful family. You've done a lot for the industry. You've given back to the industry. You've given back the recyclers, You've given back the towers, You've given back your car dealers. You know your whole philosophy is the right way For our listeners. What's the easiest way to save the key?
Speaker 2:Oh, dj, yeah, so there's a lot of different varieties depending on kind of how your operation works From a crusher standpoint. If you want to just take a look in that glove box, see if there's a key before you put it in the crusher, take a look in that key, get a five gallon bucket, just fill those keys in that bucket. Or just go to your go get a box that you get supplies in, just put a box next to the crusher or to the machine that you do and you have and just put those keys in there.
Speaker 2:There's just a lot of different ways to save the keys by. My personal thing would just be my personal recommendation would be to have them just fit in a box, gotcha, and then, when that box gets full, you go to wwwwebuykeyfabscom and you can request a shipping label, and you will get a shipping label within five minutes.
Speaker 1:Now we're talking. Now let our listeners know you pay for the shipping and everything, but they have to ship at least 10 keys. I looked at the website.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, yeah, for ship. For us to pay for shipping, we have to do it. We have to do 10 or more key fobs. However, there is no limit for you to send in. If you have one or two keys you just want to send in, go ahead, feel free to send it in and then you can send our information. Dj, on our website at wwwwebuykeyfabscom. But yes, we do recommend ten in order for us to pay for the shipping, right.
Speaker 1:When I looked at it I thought to myself of course I want all of our listeners to know Jason and I were down in Alabama doing a show. This was a couple of years back. And we were sitting there saying, boy, we wish there was more people in the aisle. And here we are belly-anking because we didn't have people coming in. It was almost like an exhibitors' retreat that we were at, because there were more exhibitors than there were attendees. And in comes this guy, the watercolor listener. He had overalls on.
Speaker 1:And he walked up and he says to me hey, doc, you know anybody to buy Bob? I said, yes, we have a company here called we Buy Key fobs. Why I got a truck load out here. So I walk over to Jason and Jason and I were just 20 minutes before saying well, we're just some people in the aisle and this guy walked over. Jason, you remember this guy.
Speaker 2:Oh man, yes, I do Keep going.
Speaker 1:Hey, and he had it. I want all of the listeners to know. The man had four or five large boxes of key fobs that he had put in the back of his truck and he came to Orange Beach, Alabama, to see if we buy key fobs. He was there as an exhibitor and he wanted to see him face to face and Jason took care of him right there. And Jason, you know I want all of our listeners to know there's not a robot on the other end. You have a real human being from the United States on the end. There you go. Customer service.
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely, man, and absolutely so, like I said, you can go to our website, get all the information, and that's like the tech side too. But yes, we also have like a customer service side. Where we're there, we answer phone calls from nine to five. Omaha, nebraska.
Speaker 1:If you ever need to get in contact with us.
Speaker 2:You can give us a call at 402-260-5889. And Alicia will be the one that you speak with and let me tell you she is a breakout, very easy to get along with and she's on your side. So she will definitely do everything that we can to get to make you happy.
Speaker 1:All right, we're going to do this. We're going to take a fast break and when we come back, listeners, I'm going to tell you how to get on a list, because once a month we Buy T-Fox has a special that they email you Like this month it's $100. So Hang Tight will be right back with us to short the commercial break and we'll learn more with Jason and we Buy T-Fox. Hold tight, we'll be right back.
Speaker 3:URG is pleased to join forces with Team PRP to bring you a two for one top tier, amazing training conference in 2024. Our industry is unique in that we all share a history, a purpose and a future. We are one big, diverse family pursuing success not just for ourselves but for our industry as a whole. When one of us succeeds, it is never done alone. For the we Are One conference, we will come together to learn, laugh and build a vision of the future together With a lineup of great speakers. This is one event you must attend. Our keynote speaker this year is six-time Emmy Award winner, ross Schaefer. Special room rates are available through March 11th at the highest Regency, st Louis, at the Arts. Go to u-r-gcom, click on the hotel tab and book your room today. Folks, this event is like a buy one, get one free sale. You don't want to miss the URG Team PRP we Are One conference. Register online today and we'll see you in St Louis.
Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. You have been listening to the URG on the Go podcast. Dj Harrington and Jason from we Buy T-Fox, our guest today and just before we took the break. But I got to remind all of us that we are available Now, get ready, we're available on Spotify, itunes, pandora, stitcher, iheart Media, amazon or wherever you get your podcast, and I can't thank you enough for referring to everybody, and at the end of all my articles I put that C on the URG podcast and more and more people are listening. We have Jason and Jason. Can you tell us a little bit about how we can get these specials and the specials that you want to talk about today on the podcast?
Speaker 2:Oh, absolutely so. Every month we have a list that goes out to all of our customers via email, and this list will contain K-Fob that we're going to pay more money for because they're in demand, and you can get on that list by going to WeBuyT-Fobcom. Or you can call us at 402-260-5889 and talk to Alicia about getting on the list, or you can contact us via email customer service at WeBuyT-Fobcom. Yeah, this list is a very popular list that goes out and we get a lot of hits from it. As soon as it goes out, we start getting phone calls and it's crazy how it works. But what I want to talk about now is this URG podcast on the go. Webuyt-fob has created a specific URL. So to all you listeners out there, if you guys have more K-Fob ready to go, please visit wwwdoublebuycom. Or you can visit wwwwebykeyobcom. Slash u-r-g Right. There you will find a $100 coupon that says if you send in 50 or more keys, you will receive an extra $100 bonus for using us.
Speaker 1:That's fantastic. And then, if they come by the booth in April, what happens then?
Speaker 2:Oh, I am so excited for the convention DJ you have no idea.
Speaker 2:Prp and you are together, yes, so I will be at the booth and I will be handing out some hundred other people as well. I want to shake everybody's hand. This, this, this, you are. G Conference. These two energy conferences are awesome. We haven't been in a while, but I sent PRP there down the. I Told my brother we need to go and we made it happen. So let's. Anybody that's there, please stop at booth 75. It's gonna be on the second floor. My name is Jason Ferrick. You know you'll see it. You know I'll probably be dancing or, you know, maybe on the handstand, I don't know. But Please feel free to come by and say hi. I do not fight and I want to just say hi to everybody, even if you don't have keys. The more people in my network, the better it is.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we're so nice about Jason and and the company we buy keypops. I gotta tell everybody Sometimes we represent small little outfits and small groups. So I went over to Jason I said I got this little little guy in Martinburg, West Virginia.
Speaker 2:He has 38 employees.
Speaker 1:You know about 18 Acres of property and cars and you help this guy and Jason said he's a. I can help every mom and pop out there. I can help the bigger who pull the LKQ's. I can help everybody. It doesn't matter what size they are. As long as they start compiling and putting together keypops, then we're tick. We can help them. It doesn't matter where they live. I'll sit a matter of shipping labels for them and let them put it together they can put it in 55 gallon drums.
Speaker 1:Or they put it in a small box, an Amazon box that they can reuse, with the label on, and they said it to it.
Speaker 2:Hey, dj, you're absolutely correct, they got it just top off. That you know. Just the key pop acquisition is. You know some of the some of the really cool stories I hear at these conventions as well. It's another reason why I love going to these shows.
Speaker 2:They, you know, like people tell me how they get them. So sometimes people like they'll have their kids run around their loss for an hour, a couple hours. So the look at these boxes will search around the key cars for keys and they'll gather up so many keys, well, send them to me and I'll send them a $200, a billion checking. Well, that's that kids violence or or another. You'll be like an employee party. You know these keys they're very little and easy to not think of. So that's why I think it's very important to you know, kind of make sure you have a box or a specific box or a specific location within your warehouse or or your office that where you can put these and you can look at it every day and be reminded that, hey, this, maybe at the end of the year could help our employees.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I agree with you, and you have done so much you have given back to a ra. You have to give it back to. You are G and that this is their nice thing. This is a company that gives back to the industry, which is the right thing to do, they say. Would you be kind of tell us a little bit about where the key fobs head? What's the future for the?
Speaker 2:key pops oh, that's a good question. Keys I tell you what? 10 years ago, dj, it was easy, easy man, the technology and these keys were obsolete. There was not really too much technology 10 years ago. And these keys, man, these like 10, 15 years ago, you come back now. The technology and these keys, the encryption on them, security on them, is Awesome. So it's a great thing for consumers. You know, you guys know these, these key pops there. They're highly encrypted and the future of the keys, I would believe. I mean it goes so many different ways, but I feel as if the keys they're gonna go more towards your mobile apps, your fingerprints, you know, possibly even I know like a redness can who knows how deep like.
Speaker 2:It's definitely changing. The security is getting higher and the styles are getting different. It's a.
Speaker 1:I Hope that answers yes it does and Jason, I think some people Like a consumer. On the other end, chuck camp and I the producer, chuck camp, who's the producer of the of the podcast we're in the studio and he asked me before we contacted you. He said how does the person how do you? You actually go by the market price of what the market is bearing, and that's how you could pay good money for these things.
Speaker 2:Oh, yes, absolutely, man, absolutely. So the sweet spot, man, the sweet spot Tends to be around that seven to eight year old mark. You know that, that particular Set of year. So what is it? Right now, it's 2024. Yeah, so if you go back eight years, I would say what? 2017? Or I'm not too good at math, but we'll say 2017. That's gonna be your hot spot. Key pops right now because those are getting those, those cars are starting to get in the used market and those, those cars are gonna need second keys and third key. So the market really depends on the, on the age of the vehicle, as well as the making model.
Speaker 1:Right and and by by contacting you guys, all of a sudden now they got the right market price for the, for the key. And then you know, you have such a reward program that Everybody, I'm gonna tell all of you, you know I've known these guys for a long time. Not only are they a very honest, upfront customer service wise, they're very, very big company, but they're honest with you. So they'll say you know, you thought this was this price, but it's actually worth more because the market price has gone up.
Speaker 1:So you close, but you're getting paid for you. You fix them up and put new batteries in them and that kind of thing.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, that's how we did it 10 years ago. Yes, however, you know these, these keys got a lot more security in them and there's a lot, there's a lot more of a rigorous process to refurbish them and get them clean. Like you know, I like to describe it as iPhone. You know, like people, they have an iPhone specifically for Horizon right. Well, you can unlock that iPhone and you can. That iPhone now can go to another carrier. So that's what we do with keep-off man. I erase that. I erase the programming from the particular vehicle bin number it was assigned to, and now I can assign that to another bin number.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow, that's why they're worth the money.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and they need to do it Now before we take a break. I got to, if you can. On the lighter side, I want you to know I was trying to help the Georgia Independent Auto Dealers Association. So I called Jason and his brother, jj, on the phone and I said hey, would you guys consider we're having a big conference in. Georgia is one of the larger states that have an independent auto dealership. And Jason and his brother JJ said yeah.
Speaker 1:And then I said to him Grant Cardone is speaking at this conference. All I said, and his brother JJ said say no more, we'll be there. And he said you remember you laid out all that money on the table and some young kids you know that's the son of the president elect came over and was it was actually taking money off the table. And JJ said you know he only took a couple bucks, but still this guy needs to be talked to.
Speaker 2:Oh, my God, he has such a great memory, oh.
Speaker 1:I wanted to shoot that little kid, but you said to me coming to see Grant Cardone was worth the $7 the kids took off the table.
Speaker 2:Oh man, there's not many people that can say they've seen Grant Cardone live. Yeah, you know. And man, that guy, he is a motivator for me. I'll tell you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he really was, and you and your brother were so, so kind and you forgave the little kid, and not because he was the son of the president, like that. But the little kid now a day, now the little kid in high school and he's doing well in sports. So I can't say anything.
Speaker 2:So well, well, it sounds like he sounds like I'll be able to get my money back now. Yeah you have $7.
Speaker 1:I'll be able to get my money back. But, I'm going to take a fast break. Folks, when we come back, I want to make sure that you write down the email address, the phone number to get a hold of Alicia, and we need to let you know that we buy key fobs as present. They're going to be at the conference in April. So we are one conference with you are G and team PRP. We'll be right back after short break.
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Speaker 1:Welcome back listeners. You've been listening to. You are G on. The go-by guest, jason from we buy key fobs has been a great guest I remember. Please like and review and share everywhere. If you want to hear another industry expert like Jason, by all means just call 706-409-5603, which is the podcast hotline, and let us know what industry expert you'd like to hear about.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 1:Jason, this is the last segment of the podcast, but why? Why are you guys going to? You are G and team PRP. Can I ask that question of you? Oh, absolutely.
Speaker 2:Yeah man, oh the the. The reason would be to dominate combining bull forces. I, like you said back earlier in the, in the free and in the podcast, you know, back in 2015,. That was our first URG Uh, uh trade show that we went to was in Colorado, I believe, right and um. We've met so many people. I met Charlie up there from PRP and he introduced me to a couple PRP people and your PRP yards. I should say, and it just, it's amazing, you got URG and PRP together is going to be a very successful event. It's not two trade shows anymore, it's one and it's just going to be awesome.
Speaker 1:I'm excited to be there, man and I want to say no, jason and I we talked the other day on the phone to see if he could be on this. By guess, I mean very nicely accept our invitation. But I said to him it's like the reaches peanut cup, where the chocolate meets the peanut butter and the peanut butter. This is the chocolate and it has a great taste. Well, here's two great companies, urg, teaming up with PRP for a great, fantastic conference. So you need to be there. Anyone in the industry is going to be there.
Speaker 1:This will be the biggest premier event of the year. Team, prp and URG, all together we are one conference, April 4th through the 6th in St Louis, right there at the arch. I all means, just contact you, dash hard, dash Gcom and you can go. All the information is online. So, jason, talking about online, would you again one more time tell everybody how we get the monthly specials, cause I get it on my phone listeners, and I want you to know. It really makes all the sense in the world. It reminds you once a month of some of the more expensive Bob's they're looking for. So we buy key fobs. What's the email address for them to sign up for this monthly email plan?
Speaker 2:Absolutely, dj. Thank you, but they can go to email address. It is our email. Is customer service at we buy key fobscom, that's true.
Speaker 1:Now, if anyone wants to get a hold of you, can they do the same thing. Just email you, jason, at we buy key fobs, sure.
Speaker 2:Absolutely yes. If anybody wants to get hold of me in particular, you can definitely email me. My email is Jason F. As in Farragreeno at, we buy key fobscom and I'm going to spell that out for you B U Y K E Y F O B Fcom.
Speaker 1:You got it and I want all of our listeners to know I've been wearing a patch on my jacket.
Speaker 2:Oh yes.
Speaker 1:We buy key fobs. I have one on the front and one on the back of my URG jacket, I have one on my. I have a separate jacket for tours and I have one on the front and one on the back of that jacket. And somebody made a comment to me you really believe in these guys. I said well, they're not just good friends of the industry, they care about the industry but they give back to the industry. There's too many people in this industry that take, take, take and don't give back. This is a company that gives back to the scholarship fund. This is the people that get back to ARA. This is the people that really care about you, your employees and the people you work with.
Speaker 1:So you don't ever have to worry. When you deal with people like we buy key fobs. They are just good people and I can say that because I've known them for years and years. I know that you know they help people develop from within so they never go without. And once you start working with these guys, all of a sudden you'll be saved. That key box, put it in the box in my office, right, put that key up there. Put it in the box. And some of you out there that have young kids, you should be doing just what Jason told you go out into the yard and start walking around and saying you know we need to do this and put the money away for their allowance, or just put why don't you start a scholarship fund for yourself? Tuition money for employee parties? Why not Put it all in the key fob box?
Speaker 2:How's that, jason? Very well said, dj. I appreciate that.
Speaker 1:Well, I mean it. You guys are good people. You know, a lot of times we talk about you know, brian Collins from Commercial Forms. Or we talk about the Schroeder family from you know, card-partcom. These are people that get back to our industry, just like you guys. So you're in good shape with all of these people. So one part last thing, Jason, anything you want to tell our listeners. If you have your last shot, then I'll give my last shot.
Speaker 2:All right. Well to all you listeners out there. Again, if you're coming to the show the URG PRP show in St Louis Missouri make sure you stop by our booth. We are going to be on the second floor, booth 75. I'm going to be there with one of my co-workers, alex, and I myself Jason will be there to handing out $100 coupon. I want to meet as many people as I can and help everybody out with their keys and, you know, try to grow their business and if there's anything I can do to help them or be supportive of them, please don't be afraid to ask.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and these are people that if you need anything in the industry, or just some other names of people of how, what you're doing or how it's the best way to collect them in your own yard, by all means go buy Jason, see him pick up your $100 coupon at the show and at the same time, you can visit a friend of mine, because this guy really is good people.
Speaker 2:Appreciate that DJ.
Speaker 1:Hey, from the bottom of my heart, Jason, I can't thank you enough for taking time out of your schedule to be on here, and your company is one of the good ones in our outfit. You know what's the good ones in the industry? We buy key fobs and, Jason, I can't thank you enough for being on.
Speaker 2:I appreciate it. Dj, Thank you for having me on and we'll see you in.
Speaker 1:St Louis. Yes, sir, you got it. Thank you, guys, and we'll see you next time. On you Are Geomtigo Fiken. This is DJ Harrington. We'll be right back. Thanks for watching. I'm Jerry Harrington. Sign it off until next week. Thanks for watching. I'm Jerry Harrington. Sign it off until next week. Thanks for watching, ok.