First time going to a REAL yard

Before I always brought my scrap the a salvage yard. They have the big scale for the shrd and a small scale for non-ferrous. After the last few times of going, i've been unhappy with the outcome. So today, realizing I really need some room, I tested the waters with what I call the REAL metal recyclers.

Had a total weight of 304 pounds.

200 lbs auto cast=36.00
40 lbs alum breakage=4.87
63 lbs #2 copper=199.06

Grand total: $239.93

I felt overwhelmed at first, didn't know what to do/where to go, everyone was super helpful, and i've been won over.

wish I had a real one to go to. These here are decent folks, just don't pay much as the bigger yards do. One pays better than the other, but it's farther away, and with the size of my loads it would just about cover the difference in gas, plus maybe a dollar or two, so unless I was going there for some other reason, it just wouldn't pay. I am hoping to start having bigger loads, and find other reasons to go to the farthest one that pays better

Around here there are like 6 yards in a 30 mile radious. I take my shred to the closest. My copper to one a town away. And my al to one down the street.

$3.16 on #2 seems a tad high. Contrary 18cents auto cast is very low as well is 12 cents for breakage. Themself some crazy prices you got up there.

Bear, The yard in Paris used to be a good one (25 years ago). Is it still one of your "Good Guys"?

NZ =

90Kg Ali cast @ NZ$1.50 = $135(US$108)
18Kg Ali @ NZ$1.50 =$27 (US$21)
29Kg Cu @ NZ$8 = $72 (US$59)

All up, US$188 here in NZ, I thought we would have a better price thugh....

I am bit in the sticks which makes it easier to buy, but....expensive to sell upstream. As stated above separate out different materials to different yards, Shred takes up space so the local yard makes sense (less wear and tear on the truck/gas). AL is also a bit bulky so I treat it similar to the shred. Cu and Brass I break down into 5 gallon buckets and move it in a good mileage car to a better paying yard. My cats get very special treatment..research what you have , really ask around to who is buying and quiz them on their evaluation ability. I have run into evaluators that "seem" educated but low ball your cats since they are unsure about what you have. I miss the old days of cheap gas..throw it all in the truck and go...