Computer Cords

Has anyone had any luck selling good computer cords as more than scrap? I've been holding onto them thinking someone might want them, but to date I've only sold about 5. I've even put them in a few different CL areas, but still no luck. I have them listed at 25 cents each or $100 for the entire lot of 4-500 individual cords. I see most of these cords going for $5.00+ in stores, and I would think people would jump at the chance to get that much of a discount. Anyone have any suggestions for selling them faster?

I ran shy one time and bought like a lot of ten off ebay

More exposure, the only way that comes to mind is ebay... Good luck.

Can't speak on the cords, but I got a buddy who sells the cords off washing machines an dryers for me on eBay, he gets a decent amount for them. Would imagine the same with computer cords, if you list them right. I'll be the first to admit tho, I'm no expert, or fan for that matter of ebay, much to the chagrin of my fellow SMF members. ;)

It's an interesting idea for sure.

Sirscrapalot - Smile, it's free therapy. - Douglas Horton

I don't know how it'll go but I'm hoping. I got a bunch still in the sealed plastic packaging from a school. Going to try ebay and see.

these do sell especially the ones in plastic.......I don't bother with less than lots of ten though........I usually charge $1 per cord plus shipping....Better than scrap but more work

The thing is, I don't deal with ebay and have no intention of ever doing so, so it looks like I'm stuck with them until I can find someone semi-local. Oh well.

I had luck selling listing them as power cords for other things. That particular type of cord fits various LCD monitors/tvs, LCD projectors, different printers, etc. Look up several things that it fits and put all those key words in your listing. I've sold several on craigslist for $1-$5 each depending on what the person needed it to "fit"

Scrap man, I hear you on dealing with ebay, maybe you can find a way around it like I did by knowing some one who sells on there already an is willing to put it up for you. My buddy wins cause it helps his rating, an I kick him some beer. lol.

Maybe you can work a deal with someone you know to do the same for you. My guy loves free beer an he's already doing it so he doesn't mind. He also sells other things for me now an then, an I kick him cash for that stuff, for small things like cords, I just toss him beer. Which saves him money..an everyone is happy.

Sirscrapalot - Some trade metals for goods..I trade beverages. ;)

You might try trading some cords for bad parts (or dead computers) from a computer repair shop.

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Originally Posted by Mechanic688

You might try trading some cords for bad parts (or dead computers) from a computer repair shop.

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You beat me to it. I was about to suggest the same thing.

Try putting it up in the trade section of craigslist and see what people will bring you. If there is another city not that far from you, post it in that city's craigslist too. People will sometimes make a drive for a trade.

Lord...why would you NOT use the largest auction network on the planet? I hear this all the yime here and I just do not get that....why would you cut out a SIGNIFICANT avenue for business?

Other option is "maybe" selling on amazon...but you wont get anything like the bulk buyers on ebay. And most cables are a dime a dozen...I get sata cables with everything, power cables for computers are stabdard so easily obtained for anyone...same with rj45 (network cables)....

Just saying from experience...hard sell unless you have a repaitlr shop that needs then or someone buying in bulk on ebay...otherwise the time sink for them far outweighs thw differwnce from scrap price.

I just dont get the anti ebay stuff...I sell everything I can on there...and about t9 start selling some chips as I can get more that what even some buyers here are paying on stuff.

For me it's rather simple..

I don't compromise what I believe in for no man, or profit. Take it as you will. I choose not use them, cause ya know..nice thing about life..we always got a choice. I don't agree with how they treat sellers, I don't like their fee's( i got enough hands in my pocket, I don't need theirs to.), an they just don't fit for me, at this stage of the game. I got enough on my plate, an am more then happy with the money I bring in.

An Last I checked..your free to run your business your way just like the rest of us. You'd rather deal with ebay an buyers, I'd rather just sell my stuff an move on, or save what I'm saving for having toll refined. At the end of the day you need to be happy with your choices. I am with mine.

My van is paid, car is paid, house bills are taken care of, we can afford to go on vacations every year, an me an mine are happy. At the end of the day, that's all that matters to me. You don't have to like, or love me or my opinions, an you can hate on me for not using eBay all day, but at lest you know where I stand. Hopefully you can respect my choices, just as I respect yours.

I wish you continued success over there, an to others who choose to use them. As for me..I removed my ebay rose colored glasses long ago. An I'm quite happy with my choice. Once again..YMMV.

Your still welcome to enjoy the beverages from my cooler tho. ;) Great thing about this forum, we can all agree to disagree an still be friends, or lest I hope that's still the case.

Disclaimer : No offense is meant with this post, just my honest to god no bs opinion an answer. If you expected otherwise, you've asked on the wrong forum. :p

Sirscrapalot - Important principles may, and must, be inflexible. - Abraham Lincoln

No offense, Sir. It's just hard to argue with results. I'm selling gold finger trimmings among other things. Last sale was $26.50 for four ounces. Even after shipping and fees, I'm clearing right at $90 a pound. Now I'm seeing what the trimmed fingers will get. I'm expecting $6 - 7 a pound.

Wait....am I missing something? First thing I thought of is "he is only selling them for $0.25?". Seriously, I think you need to get a scale and weight those cords. Last I checked I was getting $1.40 per pound for #1 insulated (power cords included) with the ends cut off and another .15 lb for the ends. I'll be happy to buy 500 from you for .25 each. But maybe I just didn't read the original post right?

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Originally Posted by shendog

Wait....am I missing something? First thing I thought of is "he is only selling them for $0.25?". Seriously, I think you need to get a scale and weight those cords. Last I checked I was getting $1.40 per pound for #1 insulated (power cords included) with the ends cut off and another .15 lb for the ends. I'll be happy to buy 500 from you for .25 each. But maybe I just didn't read the original post right?

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Just what I was thinking, there's about a pound of cord there, give or take.

And speaking of ends, what do the prices run for the ends and what do they call/classify them as?
Just trying to get an average price.

Like I said Mick, we do what we do to make ourselves happy. That was the gist. I don't blame ya for doing so. You got more patience then myself. I applaud you an the others who do it, just ask folks don't judge me or others for not using ebay.

Like above..you gotta run things that work best for you. General you. No one specific. I'm not going to say your wrong for using ebay, Cause I'd be a fool to say that. lol. I'm glad it works for folks, for me..it's just not a good fit, same for others.

We all have tools in our box, but we don't all use the same tools..if that makes sense. As long as we all our happy with our returns..who's to say your or my way is wrong?

I wish all the best to those who use it. An glad it works for all, but to say it works for everyone is misleading, cause it doesn't. Gah..I babble. Putting away my soap box, Webuy asked, I answered. It's all good. :)

I always root for my fellow scrappers, here, at the yard, ebay, wherever..Get your piece of the pie, just don't get mad if I don't like the same pie you do. ;)

Sirscrapalot - Weeble wobble an they don't fall down.

We have pie?

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Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Just what I was thinking, there's about a pound of cord there, give or take.

And speaking of ends, what do the prices run for the ends and what do they call/classify them as?
Just trying to get an average price.

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a few of the yards I went to just classified them as shred. I said "no thanks". Finally got a yard with a guy that knows the scrap biz and he has them as dirty brass. I'm amazed every time I go to the yard just how ignorant these guys are about the business they are in. Maybe ignorant is a strong word, but its like someone bringing an unusual board in to me and I just call it low grade because I don't know. Almost makes me want to get into the scrap business.

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Originally Posted by Scrap man

Has anyone had any luck selling good computer cords as more than scrap? I've been holding onto them thinking someone might want them, but to date I've only sold about 5. I've even put them in a few different CL areas, but still no luck. I have them listed at 25 cents each or $100 for the entire lot of 4-500 individual cords. I see most of these cords going for $5.00+ in stores, and I would think people would jump at the chance to get that much of a discount. Anyone have any suggestions for selling them faster?

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to answer the actual question, I finally found a local monitor repair guy that is buying them from me for $1 each, but only in limited quantity. I saw an ebay ad for a lot of 50 for $45 including shipping. If you want to sell them to me for $100 for the lot, I'll even give an extra $50 to ship them. Let me know :)

sometimes they know...just dont want you to know

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Originally Posted by directrecycle

sometimes they know...just dont want you to know

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sadly that's true, and they don't understand that when that person realizes they got cheated all those times they will be their worst enemy. having a bad rep is never a good thing for a business. I ended up finding 3 yards that I take all my material to. I don't think they are cheating me (intentionally), but when 1 yard is 20% lower on copper they wont get my business. certainly they track the scrap value daily?????

Cake over pie Ryan..dontcha know!

Sirscrapalot - Likes cake..an pie.

Sirscrapalot - all good and no offense taken at all...I certainly meant my post in a business sense and not judgemental....it was more of a general observation to MANY peoples view of ebay I have seen here lately. I just wanted to comment from a business point of view.

I absolutely respect you having issues with some of the policies they have. Again it is all good. I just wanted to point out the lost business potential for some of the newer or less experienced people where they woukd not just pull a hairtrigger because they read this or that opinion on here (and too many lately have been how much they suck vs a bit of suckyness vs profit potential). :)

Sorry if that stirred up anything. Just wanted people to look at all the options.

::clink clink:: cold beverages make it all better LOL

Not a problem bud. No offense here, i hear where your coming for sure!

Always good to have some excitement. lol. ;)

Cooler is always open to ya Webuy.

Sirscrapalot - Not a fan of ebay, but is of Webuytradesellstuff

Last time I check, I did this. I was selling for $4,00 a cord with free shipping on ebay. I was losing money after fees (15%), shipping $2.75 first class give or take), etc. When I scale the cords they were roughly 8 ozs...so 2 cords are a buck...figuring i get a $1.00 lb scrap wire price. I was making less than that on crapbay. So anymore I save for myself or right in the scrap wire bucket. End of story. I never tried bulk lots on ebay although one time a guy contacted me wanting 500 cords for a 100 bucks. He never answered my emails back. Only cables I sell on ebay are specialty or sata cables. Rest are scrap unless Im trying to "buy" good feedback and bump the rating. Basically take the loss of money over in scrap in exchange for karma, good feedback.

Just an update; I'm selling the power cords to a member on here. We've worked out a deal that both of us are happy with, and I'm sending them out as soon as Paypal confirms my account. And with the rest of the cords, I might have a deal to sell/trade them to a local computer repair tech. As for not scrapping them in the first place, I only saved them because I would have felt bad wasting perfectly good cords. I knew there was someone out there who would want them, which it turns out there is.