Are Lower Prices Of Scrap Better Or Worse???

I think its a mixed bag. People who dabble in scrapping to make some extra cash and/or as hobby (such as myself) would more easily quit if the higher prices weren't there. For full-timers, my impression (and maybe wrong) is that's its not only the money but its also the freedom of being your own boss and/or being able chart your own destiny (as much as one can nowadays in North America). Sooner or later if prices crap out and that's your main income, then, yeah re-evaluation of how to use your time to the best ability would have to get factored in.

Another point that's been brought up is the increased cost of living between now and "then". And indeed, except maybe in steel as Sledge as pointed out, scrap had more purchasing power then than now. I've shown these inflation calculators before (found another one this morning). A 1980 dollar (when I was in high school) would need $3 now for the same purchasing power. I put in what I made on #2 Cu the last time I took it in ($2.30 a pound) and went back to 1980 and it was worth 76 cents which is what I remember going down to the non-ferrous guy with Al cans and seeing 80 cents for copper (my memory about the year may not be exact but probably close enough).



Then again. maybe not. I just ran 80 cents in 1980 and it equals (according to this calculator) $2.43 now. If its right, then slightly more purchasing power than in 1980...

DollarTimes.com | Inflation Calculator