Scrap metal prices are bad, what can you do?

Originally Posted by rustbelt

What all do you take off of a scrap car? Alt, rad, start, battery, catvert, maybe aluminum rims, then whatever from its shred weight, anything else? Im trying to learn how to make a living with scrap vehicles as my bread and butter. But when this thread was made shred steel was down to $40 a ton in missouri. Unless a vehicle is a classic or sought after car I dont want to take parts off and sit on them untill they sell either, but Iim trying to understand how the vehicle guys are still making a living when steel gets that low. How much is made off of the average midsize four door car like say a mid 90s chevy lumina, without selling parts? Any help is much appreciated.

Hate to burst your bubble... Selling parts is how the car guys survive. As for the average midsize car, 1 1/2 tons, your looking at $150 shred price, if your lucky. Around here, most car guys are paying $100 per car, and they travel to pick the vehicle up. Not much room for profit as straight scrap. But I will disclose I have never scrapped a car, so take my words for what you will...