Would these phones be worth it?

**Mechanic688** · 08-13-2014, 09:32 PM

I was offered a chance at 2/3 of a gaylord of house and business phones for .07 a lb. (probably a few 100 pounds) I know some have a decent board but I also know there would be a lot of "fluff". The really good stuff has already been cherry picked. (cell phones, etc.) Is this something I should consider as a possible money generator. Being that they have been thrown into the box, I don't think they would be resellable. Thoughts,,, anyone.

**phred59** · 08-13-2014, 09:42 PM

have you gotten to look at anything? seen pictures? anything at all to go off of?

**junkfreak** · 08-13-2014, 10:03 PM

Maybe if seller let take 5 to 10 to break down. Judge from there. As a rule for myseIf i only offer max 50% of what i get with out breaking down. Its a comfort thing. Lol.

**Pnutfarmer** · 08-13-2014, 10:09 PM

Personally, I would buy them and then do a nice breakdown to post on SMF.

Seriously, the usual scrap yard for me takes things like this as shred even if they have a lot of plastic so it wouldn't be a loss on the ones that aren't worth breaking down. Second, if you just cut all the wire, you could make some profit. If there are old rotary phones in there, they have brass bells and ringer motors. I'd go for it instantly if they were near me.

**Mechanic688** · 08-13-2014, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by phred59

have you gotten to look at anything? seen pictures? anything at all to go off of?

I put an eyeball on the lot, just like they had a half gaylord of keyboards. Didn't get a price on them.
I did get 3 old microwaves for free as they don't recycle them.

**phred59** · 08-13-2014, 10:27 PM

well, my gut says do it, i if there are 300lb and you pay .07, you're in for 210. maybe offer them 6.5 and see if they bite, tell them gas is going up and you have to feed the beast lol. if they say yeah go ahead, then you just saved 25 by cracking a joke. but i think you will do ok on that. i could see you making a couple hundred off of it at least, maybe 300-400

then it just becomes those, how busy are you? and how long will it take to break them all down? kinda self reflecting questions... maybe give you something to play with over part of the winter? planning ahead never hurt either if you have the space. (just thinking out my thought process as if it were me)

**Mechanic688** · 08-13-2014, 10:39 PM

well, my gut says do it, i if there are 300lb and you pay .07, you're in for 210. maybe offer them 6.5 and see if they bite, tell them gas is going up and you have to feed the beast lol

Looks like 21 bucks where I'm from, is that new math??

**AuburnEwaste** · 08-13-2014, 10:53 PM

I analyze the breakdown on all kinds of stuff to decide if the labor is worth it. It is not worth breaking them down unless you have tons of them and can bale the plastic for a better price. Even then it would be a stretch with the labor investment.

**phred59** · 08-13-2014, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Looks like 21 bucks where I'm from, is that new math??

yup, i punched it up on my worn out tired as $hit typonese manufactured calculator

**brandon** · 08-13-2014, 11:00 PM

If there are rotary phones in there I would look at selling them to mid century modern collectors, I have seen them in antique stores for $25 or more.

**Hypoman** · 08-13-2014, 11:07 PM

If there is about 300lbs and just one of them worked, that's your money back right there....not including the gas to get it. Could be something to have around on slow days, especially if you have a way to get rid of the plastic without paying. I'd go for it as well.

Everything is sweetened by risk. -Alexander Smith

**directrecycle** · 08-13-2014, 11:17 PM

personally I would do it. $21 is a pretty low cost gamble. I have sold replacement handsets, replacement cords (black twisty ones) and quite a few untested office phones in hood cosmetic condition. my rule of thumb is if there black and more modern look (not quite so square) then may be worth the risk.

**Sirscrapalot** · 08-13-2014, 11:30 PM

I would do it also. I like to gamble. Some house phones have decent boards. Some don't. I'm usually happy with what I pull out. Your getting boards. Are there cords also besides whats attached to the hand set to the base? If any cordless it's a 50/50 shot you'll get a board with gold on it.(key pad area typically for ones I've dealt with)

I don't resell house phones an the like. Unlike some folks I don't get aqll the fancy business phones that have a huge resale. I get a lot of home ones. Cordless an handset/base types.

For 21 bucks...I'd gamble on it.

Sirscrapalot - Inspiring quotes in posts since 2012.

**wadarbr549** · 08-14-2014, 12:02 AM

if they were business phones id be all over it......im sure you would find 1 or 2 that would net you investment pluss profit.....if they were just regular old house phones you may still come out...if there is little to no traveling ....

**petehart** · 08-14-2014, 06:31 PM

i had a whole pile of old business phones...a lot of brass bells and gold connectors too[IMG]20140413_143808.jpg[/IMG]

**Phantoms001** · 08-14-2014, 09:05 PM

I like business phones. Have always done well. Check ebay, some will resell, slowly, some won't. I usually try to sell a few and break down the rest.

**Sirscrapalot** · 08-14-2014, 09:50 PM

If they are house phones..or non working/non sellable business phones, breaking them down shouldn't be to time consuming lest not for me. The hammer works faster then finding all those accursed screws.

Cordless handsets make me giggle when I get them. All you hear my shop is giggling an smashing. Same with tv remotes. A well placed smack or two an they just open right on up.

Let us know how it turns out if you roll the dice on them Mech.

Sirscrapalot - Reaching out an touching phones..with a really big hammer.

**armstrt8** · 08-15-2014, 12:01 AM

For only $21 I wouldn't have wasted the time driving home without them =P

Once I had them I would most likely post on craigslist for like... 4x that much and hope a local scrapper bites and I then do nothing haha

**deno** · 08-15-2014, 04:08 AM

I have yet to go wrong with office phones. Also there almost always gold on the display board being the lot you are considering has a lcd display. As everyone else suggests small gamble. I wouldn't hesitate. Just my .02

Would these phones be worth it?

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