My fisrt copper wire load

**KC-SF** · 08-08-2011, 07:09 PM

My new neighbors asked me last week if I wanted anything from their garage that the previous home owner left behind. I grabbed a few TV's and a full unused four foot spool of RG-59 coax cable!

I've been stripping some of the cable in my spare time and now have enough to include in my next load.

63 lbs. #2 copper @ $3.10 = $195.30

I also just found out that new California regulations require that anyone (non-commercial contractors) scrapping copper and any other electrical related items need to have the scrap yard take a picture of your load, a picture of yourself, and have a copy of your driver's license on file. On top of that, there's a three day hold on your money!

I dumped my load on Monday and I can't get paid until Thursday. After me making a remark about the three day hold, the cashier said "You think that's bad, it used to be a seven day hold."

Is copper theft really that bad out there? Do other states have similar regulations?

**Hypoman** · 08-08-2011, 07:22 PM

In the town I live in, you can pretty much drive around any given day and see where a window a/c unit has been ripped out of the window and had all the copper ripped out. This town has been appropriately called "Little Chicago" because all the riff raff from up there is moving down here........ we have about 10-15 "gangs" (little high school morons that saw a rap video and wanted to be bad) that weren't here 10 years ago! Shooting and stabbing each other. Oh yeah, and stealing copper, aluminum, brass....... We don't have those kind of regulations(yet). Sometimes I have to show my ID.... but I get paid cash on the same day and no pictures.

**zakmattingly** · 08-08-2011, 11:32 PM

The place I used to go to here never asked me for my ID. Just found a yard that pays alot better for a little more of a drive. They had me sign a paper and photocopied my ID. Oh well though. More money. A 3 day wait would suck but I guess I could get used to it. Try to turn in a load every 3 days.

**Ir0nman1** · 08-09-2011, 06:52 AM

All the yards I go to require a drivers license. Some require a thumb print and/or photo as well. So far all pay the same day. Some by cash, some by check.

**Shippsrecycling** · 08-09-2011, 10:13 AM

The yard I go to requires and id for any business but they have me on file, they will also write your License Plate number down on any regulated metals (copper, brass, aluminum)
It is cash in hand same day no matter the size of the load, unless I make over $10,000 then they give me a check

**fnord** · 08-09-2011, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by KC-SF

... a full unused four foot spool of RG-59 coax cable!

I've been stripping some of the cable in my spare time and now have enough to include in my next load.

63 lbs. #2 copper @ $3.10 = $195.30

Just FYI, I would pay you a premium over the scrap value for that spool (better money, and you don't have to strip it), surely I'm not the only one.

**Ir0nman1** · 08-09-2011, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Shippsrecycling

The yard I go to requires and id for any business but they have me on file, they will also write your License Plate number down on any regulated metals (copper, brass, aluminum)
It is cash in hand same day no matter the size of the load, unless I make over $10,000 then they give me a check

Forgot about the plate number. Most of them do that, too.

**CMHN** · 08-09-2011, 12:26 PM

Ive been going to the same yard for 15 years, I know them and they know me. I can take a semi trailer full of wire in and they will just pay me. But they will card and make you sign if they dont know you.

**Filthy** · 08-09-2011, 02:27 PM

my yard got to know me with steel and iron, and now they dont hassle me about non ferrous like copper. Somebody posted on an earlier thread that his yard has a daily limit of $30 worth of copper. i think a 3 day hold and a photo or two is a much better policy than a $30 limit. that would drive me crazy.

**Copper Head** · 08-09-2011, 09:20 PM

Luckily for my town, copper theft seems to be mostly rail yards , & the scrap yards wont take it or certain size copper as that's only rail yard copper wire.
I've seen them refuse people if they have to much copper - that is if it does not seem to make sense why they have 300 pounds of #1 . like Ive seen guys show up with 100 pounds of brand new copper parts probably from a plumber they took it from, so it ends up a no go for them.
Joke is and I'd never tell them but as a true scraper ( Me ) selling stolen stuff certainty would be easy , just they are greedy and dumb about it . For the record i don't steel it ,I get it from appliances (motors) and coated wire. Once i also had a job to remove it dureing demo work.Lots of copper that month i had to pay a 25% cut.

**Derek Fay** · 08-09-2011, 09:21 PM

I took 52 lbs of #2 copper wire this week (I live in Washington state), and we have to wait 10 days before they even send the check. Prices are a bit better though.at Schnitzer 3.80 for bright #1, 3.65 for #2

**Copper Head** · 08-09-2011, 09:40 PM

no wait if they know you. $3.45 for #2 $3.55 #1 Pay less by me

**iScrap** · 08-09-2011, 09:51 PM

I believe in cash upon delivery. Who knows what can happen in three days.

**c4f5** · 08-10-2011, 12:58 AM

DL# & thumb print....paid on the spot.

**rgd76** · 08-10-2011, 03:32 AM

I think some counties in California have different regulations. I think they all have the 3 day waiting period on copper and aluminum. they want your drivers license, license plate number, and a thumb print.
In the rural areas around fresno copper theft has gotten really bad. There are so many huge farms and people will steal the copper wires from the pumps and wells. It seems like there is something in the news about some kind of copper theft all the time.

**Copper Head** · 08-10-2011, 06:09 AM

Wile we are on the subject, It seems that so many people say the economy is in trouble, for now metals seem unaffected. Does any one know if copper is going to go up or is now the best time to sell it ALL?

Well unless I am seeing things copper hit $5.55 on the open market Aug 10
Must of seen it wrong as it is not $5.55 per pound

**Mick** · 08-10-2011, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Copper Head

Wile we are on the subject, It seems that so many people say the economy is in trouble, for now metals seem unaffected. Does any one know if copper is going to go up or is now the best time to sell it ALL?

Well unless I am seeing things copper hit $5.55 on the open market Aug 10

NOBODY knows. It's all speculation. Things could go either way on a moment's notice. All you can do is stay informed about trends and make a guess.

**fnord** · 08-10-2011, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by Copper Head

Wile we are on the subject, It seems that so many people say the economy is in trouble, for now metals seem unaffected. Does any one know if copper is going to go up or is now the best time to sell it ALL?

Well unless I am seeing things copper hit $5.55 on the open market Aug 10

Well, common sense should tell you that when your currency is debased/inflated, you should run to hard assets. People who did that a year ago have done well. Look at Gold's performance for the year to see. The same should be true for other metals, however, there's the matter of market manipulation that distorts the relative values of things.

One thing that could go wrong for metals like copper is that a global economic depression could stifle industrial demand for it. Although, in such a case copper might have other more urgent uses.

My own personal opinion is that US and EU governments are watering the money down as fast as they can, and will do so for the next couple years, and therefore, over that term that everything will increase in price, and that metals (especially silver*) are undervalued will increase more than other items.

But opinions are like bungholes, everybody has one, and they often stink. Don't cry to me if you find that I was wrong, I'll be crying too.

* Silver has been the subject of manipulation to keep the price low for a long time, and that could continue to go on in the future. It should have appreciated long ago due to its rarity, and industrial demand.

**Copper Head** · 08-10-2011, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by fnord

Well, common sense should tell you that when your currency is debased/inflated, you should run to hard assets. People who did that a year ago have done well. Look at Gold's performance for the year to see. The same should be true for other metals, however, there's the matter of market manipulation that distorts the relative values of things.

One thing that could go wrong for metals like copper is that a global economic depression could stifle industrial demand for it. Although, in such a case copper might have other more urgent uses.

My own personal opinion is that US and EU governments are watering the money down as fast as they can, and will do so for the next couple years, and therefore, over that term that everything will increase in price, and that metals (especially silver*) are undervalued will increase more than other items.

But opinions are like bungholes, everybody has one, and they often stink. Don't cry to me if you find that I was wrong, I'll be crying too.

* Silver has been the subject of manipulation to keep the price low for a long time, and that could continue to go on in the future. It should have appreciated long ago due to its rarity, and industrial demand.

I have saved some copper to the point i could cash out and buy a bunch of silver @ $38 per ounce tax $3.00 unless i get $1000 worth , I am not sure if i should trade my copper for silver, as of now i am trying to buy 1 once per week with the scrap money from the mix tin loads. It is interesting to take wacky looking mix of tin loads and pick up a .999 silver ingot
kind of inspires me to push on.

At this point i feel copper has great value that can't be compromised .First for house pluming , it is better as copper does not promote bacteria compaired to Pex , hospitals find hand rails made from bronze high grade also kill the germs as people use the rails , Copper is copper with spicialized uses that only copper can do .
AL is used for wiring and it works but is not as thermal stable compared to copper.