Approached by strangers

Having posted an ad on Craiglist to sell surplus items from the semi trailers I am scrapping. I was approached by some gentlemen who wish to buy up all the trailers I have (100 or so) and practically everything else on site. The company they represent is National Iron and Metal. They say they are from Texas and Ohio, but their website says California. Their address also brings up STS Surplus. Has any one dealt with these folks? They seem very personable and knowledgable, and they indicate that they will be selling to overseas buyers. Any info or input you folks can give me will be appreciated. BTW they are offering me thousands of dollars for these trailers.

You want to sell and they want to buy. I don't see the problem.

Was this a face to face meeting? If it came from Craigslist and they are making an offer sight unseen then you may want to be wary. The whole fake cashiers check and money order scam is still running strong. I have a cashiers check for $45,000 sitting in my office from some hootnanny that said he wanted to buy a computer I had for sale and "accidently" sent the wrong check and could I please Western Union back the balance. Well I was born at night but not last night so I checked it out and sure enough it was fake.

Not saying that this is the way that it is going to go for you but experience has taught me to be careful.

Hope it all works out.

Actually they called, then came, then made offers, counteroffers, and today handed over 6700 cash. They will be back in the morning with another 3000. Nothing leaves till paid for. BTW I dont get the money, the trailers belong to my dad. I just tear em apart for half. Im getting aced out here, but dad needs the cash.

as long as they are paying more then you would get for scrapping them I say sell them all. Saves you time and you make more cash.

Hey good for you! Glad that it worked out well for you.

When I scrap a 40' trailer, I average 1400, I separate Iron Aluminum and Copper and clean it all (AL) for top dollar. They give 1050, but they haul them and all that. It takes me 40 hrs to do a trailer. So Im not sure if its a great deal or not.

I did a job where I had to remove school buses from a farm. I tore a few apart and scrapped them by separating things. I was making $600 a bus, I then contacted a junk yard and they came out with their trucks, loaders, and flatbed trailers, loaded the rest up and I didn't have to touch them. They gave me $450 a bus.


Now I didn't have to put my time into stripping the buses, wear on my tools, spending gas getting to the farm, using my torches, and I was able to get rid of the tires, glass, and fiberglass right with the bus.

To me it was worth it.


Lets do your math;


Doing the work yourself $1400
Selling as is $1050
Difference $350

Now if you think about it, if it took you 40 hours to tear apart the trailer, the $350 equals about $8.75 per hour in wage but you have to put your tools into a factor.

I think its a good deal, you will make quick money and you can concentrate on other things like finding more scrap.

Its your decision, but if it were me I would take the deal.

Not sure if you missed something there CMHN but I think he's being offered $9700 for upwards of a 100 trailers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cmarkle

Having posted an ad on Craiglist to sell surplus items from the semi trailers I am scrapping. I was approached by some gentlemen who wish to buy up all the trailers I have (100 or so) and practically everything else on site. The company they represent is National Iron and Metal. They say they are from Texas and Ohio, but their website says California. Their address also brings up STS Surplus. Has any one dealt with these folks? They seem very personable and knowledgable, and they indicate that they will be selling to overseas buyers. Any info or input you folks can give me will be appreciated. BTW they are offering me thousands of dollars for these trailers.

---

If the other guys are right, and these guys are trying to make a 80 or $90,000 some profit, then I say heck no.

They can either pay close like half or no deal.

You really have to decide if your willing to take a big, substantial hit or not, but I sure the heck wouldn't do it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CMHN

I did a job where I had to remove school buses from a farm. I tore a few apart and scrapped them by separating things. I was making $600 a bus, I then contacted a junk yard and they came out with their trucks, loaders, and flatbed trailers, loaded the rest up and I didn't have to touch them. They gave me $450 a bus.


Now I didn't have to put my time into stripping the buses, wear on my tools, spending gas getting to the farm, using my torches, and I was able to get rid of the tires, glass, and fiberglass right with the bus.

To me it was worth it.


Lets do your math;


Doing the work yourself $1400
Selling as is $1050
Difference $350

Now if you think about it, if it took you 40 hours to tear apart the trailer, the $350 equals about $8.75 per hour in wage but you have to put your tools into a factor.

I think its a good deal, you will make quick money and you can concentrate on other things like finding more scrap.

Its your decision, but if it were me I would take the deal.

---

If the trailers were all flat decks this is a good deal, any reefers or aluminum vans I would pass, reefers will net you $3500.00 in scrap aluminum not counting the steel from the undercarriage and he king pin plate.

Plus your loosing out on any good tire casings that could be sold to a tire capper, good casing are worth anywhere from $80.00 to $125.00 each you have 8 tire per tandem axel trailer 10 on a tridome.

Regards
Gustavus

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KZBell

Not sure if you missed something there CMHN but I think he's being offered $9700 for upwards of a 100 trailers.

---

I was reading this post. From what I gather they are giving $1,050 per trailer to him. I could be wrong. But only knowing what is stated here, its a pretty good deal in my eyes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cmarkle

When I scrap a 40' trailer, I average 1400, I separate Iron Aluminum and Copper and clean it all (AL) for top dollar. They give 1050, but they haul them and all that. It takes me 40 hrs to do a trailer. So Im not sure if its a great deal or not.

---

I guess the question is moot now. They brought him 6700 yesterday and were bringing 3000 today. oh well.

OK I know that I confused everyone here so let me clarify. The offer is $1050 per trailer. On average I get $1400 per trailer if I cut them up myself and haul in the scrap. That is a $350 difference per trailer. But it a moot point now because they bought 12 trailers and paid cash up front. I guess I should follow them and find out where they are selling them and see if I can make more for myself. I appreciat all of your input.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cmarkle

OK I know that I confused everyone here so let me clarify. The offer is $1050 per trailer. On average I get $1400 per trailer if I cut them up myself and haul in the scrap. That is a $350 difference per trailer. But it a moot point now because they bought 12 trailers and paid cash up front. I guess I should follow them and find out where they are selling them and see if I can make more for myself. I appreciat all of your input.

---

I would...or get buddy buddy real quick with one of the employees and they will tell you.

$80 grand would go a long ways toward opening a real scrap yard.