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How much for scrap?

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  1. #1
    Taylor586 started this thread.
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    How much for scrap?

    Generally, how much would you pay for scrap? I'm trying to make some deals with local plumbing companies and they want money for it. I understand this, albeit annoying. I just really need some scrap coming in. There's nothing around here lately.


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    A little more then the last guy and as little as possible!
    When the white man discovered this country Indians were running it
    no taxes, no debt, women did all the work.
    White man thought he could improve on a system like this. - Old Cherokee saying

    I did not surrender, they took my horse and made him surrender. - Lone Watie

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    Unfortunately the best answer is experience. Know the price you will get paid per pound. Determine the most you will pay per pound and still make money. Take good scales with you. Make an offer, negotiate, settle on a price. Go sell and then determine if what you paid was too much or a good deal. You will quickly make adjustments.

    On computers I pay more to people who supply me on a regualr basis. Its worth more to me to keep the flow of materials comming in from the same people. Much less effort on my part.

    If you low ball these guys they wil wait for the next scrapper if you pay too much you will not be able to lower the price later with out some discomfort.

    The most improtant quote told to me about business: "Profit begins when you buy not when you sell"

    Best of luck, Mike.
    "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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    EcoSafe's Avatar
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    I have a car for sale how much would you pay for it? the two questions are exactly the sametherefore the answers are the same. do some research and educate your self a little before you jump in. The archives on this forum is the Google of scraping.

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    skylinejack's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Taylor586 View Post
    Generally, how much would you pay for scrap? I'm trying to make some deals with local plumbing companies and they want money for it. I understand this, albeit annoying. I just really need some scrap coming in. There's nothing around here lately.
    Just be sure to pay less than scrap value.
    AMERICAN BORN, AMERICAN BRED! AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!!

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    PartTimeScrapper's Avatar
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    I think a general rule of thum for most is to try and double your money. IF your talking all shred and its selling for 12 cents a pound I would offer him 6 cents a pound. No remember your paying for the gas and wear and tear on you vehicle. So in the end you might come out with only 3 or 4 cents a pound profit. That is what you get paid for as your wage. Just one quick example.

    In this example
    2000 lbs of shred would cost you $120
    You then scrap it out for $240 minus say $20 bucks for gas and 3 hours of your time.
    You know have $100 in your pocket.

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    Try to convince them its not worth anything and sell it to the highest bidder in order to make it you better be able to turn water into wine.

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    Taylor586 started this thread.
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    Well, I get about $11-12 for every 100# of light iron down at Sims. So, I suppose I'd offer about half that then, correct?
    I guess I didn't really think it through...

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    Taylor586 started this thread.
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    Thanks for that. You've got a pretty good point!

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    Scrap Master J's Avatar
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    Time to conquer the world!

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    Or you can do what I do. I have a regular furnace contact. I normally pull all his furnaces'/boilers. Times when I can get there, he will usually leave the units outside. Only thing he holds for himself is the copper.All Im required is to pay him 20 bucks here and there for pizza money. Thats it, but its not oftne when you find deals like that. But he does look out for me. 2 weeks ago, he had me pulled the boiler out of a apt house. He also talked to the landlord and got permission to pull 3 junk washer'/dryers, a ac unit, and the boiler. Pulled 65 out of the appliances. Didnt strip them as usual, just drop and go, because I had to go straight back. Scrapped the boiler for a 100 or so with the copper core. All I did was buy his employees breakfast and handed him and his partner 20 for pizza. But he takes all the copper for himself. Havnt figured how to approach him to buy it, since he obviously knows the value if hes saving it.

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    I take it your looking to get copper pipe from the plumbing companies? Although most plumbers I've dealt with are not the sharpest tool in the box, but there not stupid. If you offer them half the going local scrap price thats like slapping them in the face. They should all know how much new pipe goes for and roughly what scrap goes for. Not mocking any of the suggestions, but if you offer them ferrous prices for copper your not going to get very far. Remember for non ferrous metals its cents on the pound. I would follow what olddude said and do somemore research, familiarize yourself with the products you want to deal with, and then reevalutate. If you don't have your ducks in a row they may profit while you are in the hole. just my thoughts.

    I make cents on the pound, the name of the game is VOLUME

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    What you will have to pay is going to depend on how strong of a negotiating position you have. When it comes to buying scrap pipe from plumbers and scrap wire from electricians your negotiating position is weak. These people are very likely to have a general idea of the scrap value of the material and also have the means to get the product to a scrap yard (work truck or van). For people like that you are going to have to operate on tighter margins since really all you can offer them is the convenience factor of you picking up the product from them and saving them the time and hassle. Smaller margins can be ok though, because professional trades people will likely be able to offer you better volume.
    There will also be situations where you have individuals or companies that end up with material for one reason or another, they know it's worth something to somebody so they don't want to throw it away but at the same time they just want it gone more than anything else. In these kinds of spots you can offer less.

    In general you just have to use your head to evaluate the nature of the situation and make sure you crunch the numbers correctly on any deal you make so you don't end up in the red.

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  21. #14
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    I usually pay them 10 -15 % less then scrap yard price. especial if they know what it is worth.

    it is important to "up" the copper as well like cut off all the solder fittings to make #2 pipe in to # 1 pipe and brass fittings and so on.... that is where you can make your margins better then 30 % ish

  22. #15
    BurlyGuys's Avatar
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    Paying for scrap?

    I'm sorry, am I crazy? I NEVER pay for scrap, there just isn't enough money in it unless they have a lot of it.

  23. #16
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    There is only so much you can get for free, especially with so many people jumping onto the bandwagon. I can remember when you had to pay to get your car taken away. Now there are adverts by the side of the road begging people to sell their old wreck.
    I know lying is wrong, but if the elephant man came in now in a blouse with some make up on, and said, "How do I look?" Would you say, bearing in mind he's depressed and has respiratory problems, would you say, "Go and take that blusher off you mis-shapened elephant tranny?" No. You'd say, "You look nice... John""

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    KzScrapper's Avatar
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    Same with computers...people had to pay to get rid of them a few years ago now people will pay to take them, have to roll with the changes. Now with junk removal your coming at it from a different angle so I can see why your scratching your head. I don't buy scrap on a regular basis as I'm not full time, but if a deal presents itself where I can turn say $100 into several hundred, I'm all over it.
    Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesaler
    Certified Zip-Tie Mechanic
    "Give them enough so they can do something with it, but not too much that they won't do nothing."

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    PartTimeScrapper's Avatar
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    now clean up that side of your house before the wife beats you with a belt

  27. #19
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    I usually pay them 10 -15 % less then scrap yard price. especial if they know what it is worth.
    If I only made 10% off a deal I would leave it alone. For me it has to be 50% or nothing.
    P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
    If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.

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  29. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by PartTimeScrapper View Post
    now clean up that side of your house before the wife beats you with a belt
    It's good to be bad. I'll be waiting in the corner.



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