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how much are computer towers worth in scrap?

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  1. #1
    mrvictor1 started this thread.
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    how much are computer towers worth in scrap?

    I made a post yesterday wondering if anyone knows how much computer towers are worth in scrap. I can buy 150 various towers for $ 600 witch comes out to $4 per tower and their are lots of different kinds old and new. I need to decide today weather to buy them or not. Any ideas?



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    Would be a good deal if they're complete.

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    Mulden's Avatar
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    If most have hard drives, memory, cpu's that is a great price. If I were there I would out bid you. The reason being is its far more that I've ever gotten in one load. Quantity is great, you don't have to search around for one's and two's like me. I normally pay $5 for a full tower and no where near 150 at one shot.

    Remember the steel case is worth something so don't forget to pick up any bits laying around. Take pictures and share how you came up with the deal if you want to share. Mike.

    ps Please take the time to read the old posts. You will be surprised what you will learn and how it will make you money. Mike
    Last edited by miked; 03-15-2012 at 10:30 AM.
    "Profit begins when you buy NOT when you sell." {quote passed down to me from a wise man}

    Now go beat the copper out of something, Miked

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    mrvictor1 started this thread.
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    @ miked I havnt bought them yet. I was at an auction and one guy who does e-bay asked me if I was interested in buying the towers. I normally scrap steel, copper, aluminum, and what not so I don't know much about e-scrap. Im not sure where the towers are coming from, or if they are complete. I am going to call him today, any questions that I should ask?

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    Ticonderoga's Avatar
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    Need to ask about the RAM, Harddrive (HDD), CD/DVD, power cords, cpu, video cards, etc. It all can add up quickly. I have been buying computers at $5 in ones and two's. Normally get a monitor, keyboard, mouse or parts in the mix also. I test each unit that I get out. If can fix it and it's a P4 or up I put it on CL. If it's older then a P4 I shop it around as vintage. Sold an old Pentium server that way for $40.

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    Read this thread first

    http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/showt...identification

    You can scrap full towers and get $12 to $15. If you can get them to work you can get a lot more, to me $40- $100 tower. I have yet to get one to work 100% and I have a lot to learn. A lot depends on your knowledge and time.

    I break them down and sell some parts but mostly I sell to one of the ewaste buyers here on the forum. I encourage you to look at their prices and what others say about them.

    Next read the old threads in the electronics forum here. Later read the rest of the threads, even experienced scrappers learn from it.

    Let us know how it works out, Mik.e

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  11. #8
    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    Most of the people pay from $2. to $5. for them. If their coming from a computer store they will sometimes pull a few items from the insides and put the cover back on. On a volume deal I at least look at the back end for any open holes like a card missing, or the front if a drive is missing. If half the insides are gone, then it's hard to recoup your money. Total scrap value is around $10. to $15. ea.
    P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
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    I would suggest breaking them down and 4 dollars isn't bad each. I typically will pay people between 2-5 dollars per tower depending on what's on the inside.

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    mrvictor1 started this thread.
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    well I wonder how much it takes to break them down any estimates per computer??

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    Quote Originally Posted by mrvictor1 View Post
    well I wonder how much it takes to break them down any estimates per computer??
    I suggest that if this is all new to you..and you have no idea how long it'll take you to break ONE down, Go to a thrift shop, or old computer store. Buy one (You'll probably pay too much for it) tear it all the way down and time yourself.

    Each PC is different..I can break a Dell Optiplex down COMPLETELY in about 3 minutes, An old Packard Bell or Compaq might take 5+ minutes....Finding that a Mac PowerPC is a lifetime of work!

    But we don't know your physical capabilities, and we don't know your set up, and we don't know if you'll be doing it by hand, or using a screw gun.....so the only way to tell is for you to do one, and use that as an average time.
    “Most people miss opportunity because it wears overalls and looks like work .” ― Thomas A. Edison

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    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    Fully loaded takes me around 15 minutes each including putting the parts away and hauling the carcass outside to the steel pile.





    Yea, I'm old and slow, there beat you to it,,,

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    mrvictor1 started this thread.
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    so from the feedback so far it sounds like if they are complete I will give them a shot ill let you know how it goes.

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    Just be careful that they have the inards. If they are missing stuff lower the price and as always be prepared to walk away. I know you have been told a couple times in this thread that it depends if they are complete but it makes a huge difference in the value. Mike.

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    At current prices $4 each if they only had the case and motherboard in them you would abou break even. Everything else inside would be your profit. I can break down about 15 computers an hour. I would gladly pay $4 each for that load.

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  23. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mechanic688 View Post
    Fully loaded takes me around 15 minutes each including putting the parts away and hauling the carcass outside to the steel pile.
    Yea, I'm old and slow, there beat you to it,,,
    I watched my old man break down an old PowerPc Mac...It took him like 15 minutes. I think I knocked out 3 machines while he was fighting with that one. I took a bog screwdriver and Cracked the one I found open. Started ripping pieces out...I think mine still took 10 minutes. Now i understand why you guys hate macs!

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    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    I did a big Dell last night and I'll bet it took me 10 minutes to find the little button that allowed the case to open up on a hinge so I could get to the innards. That rascal was not coming apart, so I had to find the magic button.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mechanic688 View Post
    I did a big Dell last night and I'll bet it took me 10 minutes to find the little button that allowed the case to open up on a hinge so I could get to the innards. That rascal was not coming apart, so I had to find the magic button.
    Lots of em got that "magic button" somewhere, and they're all easy to do once you learn the trick. It isn't always obvious nope. The thing is, they made those to be assembled in a factory, as quickly as possible, and dismantling them is just as easy, once the secret "button/screw/formula" is found. I've found myself tugging on one seemingly forever, only to eventually discover it comes off easier by tugging in the other direction

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    By me (NY) a one of the scrapyards give .20 cents a pound for towers.

  28. #20
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    How long it takes to break down? I typically can do about 8-12 computer broken down within an hour depending


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