I tried to quit scrapping for a while but people won't let me.

With scrap prices in the tank especially when shred steel dropped to 2.5 cents a pound I had decided to temporarily shelf my scrapping operation or at least until scrap prices go back up. I even removed my ads. I have three regulars I would continue to help out but had decided that was it. But when someone called with scrap for pick up and it was close by instead of telling them to call someone else I cannot resist and took the job myself. I guess I am addicted to scrap no matter how low the prices fall. Apparently some people have kept my number and are still recommending me to their friends. Last weekend was one of my biggest in a long time. I filled and emptied my 20 foot trailer and full sized truck bed two times and that was just on Saturday. The amount I made was sad. One of my regulars loaded me up with appliances Sunday morning including 5 microwaves that work great for resale. Now that the snowbirds are getting here in droves I will surely be getting more calls via word of mouth and the fact winter visitors seek out everything very cheap or free. The yards I sell to are only a few miles away and all of my pick ups last weekend were within a mile or two from my home. One right around the corner. My expenses are really low but it would be nice to make something decent for my efforts. One thing I have noticed is there is not near as much competition around here since prices have dropped so much. As recent as a few weeks ago I was hearing about people who would drive from Phoenix to east Mesa to pick up a junk appliance or a pile of scrap metal some 15 miles or so each way. People have expected me to do that. They get a quick no. I have very specific and clearly worded pick up boundaries.

Patriot makes a great point!

I am definitely hooked on the hunt. My name Repurposer says it all. Visits to the scrap yard often turn up some great finds. I am retired on a pension and minimal expenses and very low overhead. Everyone can use some spending cash. I don't rely on scrap for a living. I have pretty much found my bottom line with scrap in the tank but I will stay with my regulars for sure. I have noticed a serious drop off in my competition. That explains the uptick I have been experiencing. In one day I loaded up over 2000 pounds of misc not just shred. I planned on cooling it for a while and still do but when people call and they are really close that means less spent on fuel and less of my time invested so naturally I cannot rurn that down.

Originally Posted by DakotaRog

Do you take apart appliances for non-ferrous or just sell them as shred white goods...??

I guess you're the one that needs to decide what's your threshold that worth's your effort. If you don't really need the money, then don't do it unless you're hooked on the thrill of the hunt. I don't plan to trap, skin, and "finish" coon hides for less than $10 a piece this year. I've sat out on trapping seasons before and will probably will again in the future. You have to find your minimal low. Do I really like trapping? Sure, but there comes a point...

That's the plan. However when I get scrap calls that are literally around the corner I cannot resist. This morning I sold over 2000 pounds of shred. 2 1/2 cents a pound but my overhead is very low so there is some profit still being made. I am holding on to all of my wire, copper and brass and brass/copper radiators. Just waiting for prices to go up. I was saving clean aluminum but it pays so little and takes up so much room to store. Sold it all off last week.

Originally Posted by Patriot76

Personally keeping your regular contacts happy during down times will pay huge dividends when the market changes, This is the best time to build your reputation and business. At this time the scrap I am hauling just pays the expenses. My time is not even counted, but I expect great returns for my time when the market rebounds.

Originally Posted by DakotaRog

Do you take apart appliances for non-ferrous or just sell them as shred white goods...??

I guess you're the one that needs to decide what's your threshold that worth's your effort. If you don't really need the money, then don't do it unless you're hooked on the thrill of the hunt. I don't plan to trap, skin, and "finish" coon hides for less than $10 a piece this year. I've sat out on trapping seasons before and will probably will again in the future. You have to find your minimal low. Do I really like trapping? Sure, but there comes a point...

I try to break down everything I can. Especially take out the wires. It is not hard to cut the wires out of anything really. And they add up quickly. That is how you have to do it now to make the trip worth it.

Scrapping is not about picking up metal and dropping it off for cash. A scrapper true definition is a survivalist. Look for ways constantly to make money and survive. Constantly change methods of survival. That sad, Im not picking up scrap much anymore. But im still running junk cars with my wrecker and still making money. We a littly higher at 4c a lb.....so average car 100 bucks or so. I make my money on parts resale.

So if i were you, I would find things to resell or even break down motors. Motors are only 10c lb current here, but copper 1.60 lb #2. No brainer to break them down. It takes me no word to lie a hour at best to drop motor/trans out of a junker fwd. Whats better...4c or 60 bucks for cores for 500 lbs of junk motors/trans? Plus you can get really ambitious and pull the alu of the motors....then they buy the motor at steel price of 5c.

My point im getting to...is scrapping is equal to survival. Where there is a will, there is a way. Adapt and find new ways to make cash.

I did a 1000 cash today in 2 hours with a junk car, cores, and resale parts. Scrappng = survival!!