I just lost my copper buyer

I dunno Dan. I think you might be barking up the wrong tree with shipping copper. There can't be much of a payout on the copper after deducting your shipping costs. You really need to be sending out gaylords of that stuff in order to have any hope of shipping it cost effectively.

I'm kind of in the same boat as you are in that i live in a remote area. The nearest yard that pays at least halfway decently is a sixty mile run. I usually hold off on selling till i've accumulated 350 - 500 lbs. I figure $ 60.00 as actual transportation cost and half a day's time as the cost to transport. That still leaves a little meat on the bone.

I could go further out for better price per pound on scrap copper but i wouldn't be any further ahead. Transportation costs would increase accordingly.

It might be better to stockpile right now anyway. Scrap prices are near their seasonal low. They're likely to be better sometime late next winter.

It's all a numbers game. Doesn't make much sense to do scrap metal recycling if you aren't making any money at it.

Originally Posted by hills

It might be better to stockpile right now anyway. Scrap prices are near their seasonal low. They're likely to be better sometime late next winter.
It's all a numbers game. Doesn't make much sense to do scrap metal recycling if you aren't making any money at it.

I agree, I am just starting my hunt now. I have a couple hundred pounds right now, most bare bright. I have shipped 40 pounds of bare bright for $14 in a medium flat rate box. copper is real bad, when it was good JJ paid $4.24 I can wait.

Originally Posted by cyberdan

I agree, I am just starting my hunt now. I have a couple hundred pounds right now, most bare bright. I have shipped 40 pounds of bare bright for $14 in a medium flat rate box. copper is real bad, when it was good JJ paid $4.24 I can wait.

Based on JJiLV's response, he still does freight shipments. 300 pounds and I'd look into it. Personally have had good luck with YRC. YRC terminal in Central point OR. Probably near that northeast yard you mentioned. Assuming Schnitzer. Freight shipments are cheapest if you are dropping off at the terminal. Ran a quick rate quote. 600 pounds dropped off at terminal, delivered to commercial address in LV, $166 and change.

Have also used Govern in the past. He may be able to do better, based on the volume he does/

Originally Posted by mthomasdev

Based on JJiLV's response, he still does freight shipments. 300 pounds and I'd look into it.

YRC terminal in Central point OR. Probably near that northeast yard you mentioned.
600 pounds dropped off at terminal, delivered to commercial address in LV, $166 and change.

Yes, central point is very close to the scrap yard I have used. It is a suburb of Medford. One of my wife's doctors is in that town.
600 pounds might be to much for my SUV, but 300 should not be a problem. I will keep that in mind.

Originally Posted by mthomasdev

Little more info for you. Ran a 600 pound pallet 40x48x30. picked up at 95531 and delivered to commercial address with fork lift or dock 89136 (not sure of ENF's exact zip code).

picked up residential lift gate roughly $365
picked up commercial no fork lift or dock $305
picked up commercial fork lift or dock $235
dropped off at terminal in Central point, OR (used 9/15 date) $125 - not sure why this is lower than when I ran it before.

As mentioned before, with Govern's discounts based on his volume, he should able to match or beat those numbers.

I will add this and governs info in my spreadsheet on recycling.
$125 to ship 600 lbs to Vegas sounds great. I will have to start hoarding more and think about a trip to Central point.

I will be driving to Grants pass tomorrow. That is 25 miles from Central point. Another trip to my wife's eye surgeon. Was not expecting to go till noon today. I spent the next two hours loading insulated wire and and sheet/cast aluminum in my car. One of my scrap yards is in Grants pass. They do not pay very well but that is what I am stuck with. They do not get any of my copper or extruded.