Partially depopulating boards

I have perused some of the older threads and I think what I'm actually looking for is just some references maybe? I'm pretty new to this all and am also interested in doing some hobby level refining from my ewaste I'm able to gether. My local yard buys ewaste but has the stipulation that if anything is ever removed it is immediately considered low grade. I' think all I am interested in removing is gold fingers, ic chips, and mlccs. Things with gold pins and oscillators and all the capacitors and what not, I'd be happy to leave those to be able to sell the rest for a greater-than-low grade price because I don't see myself trying to process any of that. And the idea of completely depopulating and sorting and selling just sounds overwhelming. So are there particular buyers people have this sort of relationship with? Is this just not something people do?

Your very last question pretty much nails it.

Stop watching youtube videos on refining! I did and now I or to sell all my stuff either on ebay or to ewasted. If you want gold, silver ect ect... Buy it with the money you get from scrapping your e-waste.
Just my 2 cents.
But I am looking into melting Al bars but that's just because I like to play with fire.>:)

Prep your boards IAW your buyers requirements. Focus on what you do best. Doing what you do best will normally get you the best return for your effort. It will likely take some time to figure out what you are best at. 73, Mike

Agreeing with both the answers. motherboards, just clean the heat sinks, memory and processors, leave the rest alone. If its soldered to the board, leave it. leave the gold fingers on those daughter cards, clean off only what is not soldiered, leave the bracket even. I used to waist time taking the brackets off of daughter cards, now I send my time more wisely touching stuff that is going to make money, not taking money.

Look at some of the buyers listing of how to sort and what is acceptable and not acceptable. You will make out in the long run.