Stupid Question

[junkyardjunky]

New to scrapping, just trying to learn the game.

Haven't even made a trip to the yard yet, but planning on one in a couple days, gotta make it worth the gas.



I'm separating metals because from what I can tell that's the best way to get your money's worth. But what if I mix up my metals because I'm not sure exactly what is what? Will the yard just count it all as scrap, or will they even catch it? Just any advice about your first time to the yard would help alot.

[Mick]

Yes, they'll catch it and it'll go as "Mixed Metal" or the rate of the lowest value metal in the lot applied to the whole lot. For instance, if you have a pile that's 100 pounds of copper ($3.25/lb = $325) and 100 pounds of Light Iron (.0950/lb = $9.50), you'll get $19 (200 pounds at .0950) instead of $334.50 if you'd taken the time to separate them.

If you're unsure how to scrap something or what something is, ask on here. Nobody's going to laugh (if somebody DOES, they'll likely get called out). Posting a picture will get the best answers.

Some places will help you, some won't. Just tell someone there it's your first trip and they'll be more inclined to help.

[chrisblackcat]

No such thing as a stupid question....a stupid question is the question that you never ask. A reputable Scarp yard will guide you through if you tell them you are new to the trade. Reputation is number 1 in this business, and that goes both ways with scrapper and scrap buyer.