How to Scrap a Computer and Where to Sell

I am in Florida and I mostly scrap brass and aluminum. I have had computers I got that I used to pick parts from and repair. I would break the rest down into wire, cards, motherboards and processors and RAM and hard drives and shred the rest. I have maybe 30? 40? boards and probably a nearly equal number of hard drives. I see people break them down and sell them and I have a few questions that are not obviously answered here.

1. Are any of the buyers here interested in what I have or is it too small an amount? I see people talking about gaylords of stuff. I do not have even close to that. Is it worth shipping?

2. If it is worth shipping, and there is someone here interested, who should I approach? Does anyone have experience with specific buyers here, or if there is a buyer interested, would you please let me know so we can arrange to get the goodies to you?

3. I guess this is important if I have someone to that is interested, but how do I prepare the items for the buyer? Do I have to separate every single item? do they want it shaved or whole or somewhere in between?

4. It was hard to find obvious, specific information on computer scrapping, so I wanted to add a thread with specifics for people. If you come across better or more information, by all means, add the link or resource and I will edit this post to include your info and label it as such. Thank you in advance.

How To Scrap a Computer...



How to get the gold...

You need to pick a buyer, check them out based on review, prices, proximity to you. Then ask them how they want these items prepared. This video is NOT accurate on how to prepare motherboards for Ewasted, but it might be for whom you choose to sell to.

Whether or not it's worth shipping, is up to you. Can you make a profit on what you have? Check out different shipping options, USPS flat rate, USPS regional rate, Fed-ex, etc.

I didn't watch the rest of the video and would just encourage you to get to know the buyers and read their threads.

First, check for any more than scrap value items. In my signature at the bottom of this post, is a link to some tips that I've created about shipping those items. If you have more than scrap value items, those can add up a lot quicker than scrap.

Most buyers don't care about amounts. Small lots get processed faster, but make sure that you don't lose money on shipping

Great advise from matador. The reason I ship a pallet or two at a time is because of the much lower shipping costs. When I was shipping to Ewasted via fedex the cost to me was $0.50/lb it was that high but because of being located where I am. Pallet shipping costs are far less but you need the volume to justify it.

Personally I have cut way back on scrapping and pushed further into testing and selling. Mostly computer parts but other stuff as well.

I think you need to do some more concentrated reading on the ewaste subject. I know its not the most exciting subject but I expect that since you have broken down some computers you will understand the posts better now.

73, Mike

If you would like a conversation on the subject pm me and I will give you my telephone. Mike

E-Wasted is a "They", but the guy in charge is Mario. I've sent them/him smaller lots before, and they do just fine with them! I've also sent them pallet lots.

I highly recommend them as a buyer. For small amounts, they offer prepaid shipping. His rates are pretty good, but of course, shop around. For RAM, I can send 35# in a large flat rate box for less than $20. You can't beat that!

One other thing Fedex and other shippers jump the rate when a package exceeds a certain amount. As I recall it is/was 60 or 65lbs with fedex before a big jump in the rated. Do some more reading on the forum or perhaps someone else will show up. I did pay the price on a couple of my early shipments, I was putting 75-100 lbs in a box. Mike

I'm a manager in a shipping department and 75# is the cut off weight for a single box for UPS. I believe its the same, if not close, for FedEx. Anything over that is considered an overweight package an gets a surcharge. I just sent out a 57# box to CFCS witch contained around 30 motherboards and some RAM. Only cost $18 from NY, but that's with my business rate. We ship 50-80 packages daily. Pack as tightly as possibly but make sure the box wont break in transit.
Remember, its scrap. Its not going to break cuz its already broke.

It's 70# for Fedex

Most buyers don't care about amounts. Small lots get processed faster, but make sure that you don't lose money on shipping

Just my exp. is I would try for 50-65 lb box/es and using the prepaid Fedex label seemed to me to be about the cheapest route.
Someone will explain the Fedex return label so I won't be endorsing any one buyer over another.