how much are computer towers worth in scrap?

If most have hard drives, memory, cpu's that is a great price. If I were there I would out bid you. The reason being is its far more that I've ever gotten in one load. Quantity is great, you don't have to search around for one's and two's like me. I normally pay $5 for a full tower and no where near 150 at one shot.

Remember the steel case is worth something so don't forget to pick up any bits laying around. Take pictures and share how you came up with the deal if you want to share. Mike.

ps Please take the time to read the old posts. You will be surprised what you will learn and how it will make you money. Mike

Most of the people pay from $2. to $5. for them. If their coming from a computer store they will sometimes pull a few items from the insides and put the cover back on. On a volume deal I at least look at the back end for any open holes like a card missing, or the front if a drive is missing. If half the insides are gone, then it's hard to recoup your money. Total scrap value is around $10. to $15. ea.

Originally Posted by mrvictor1

well I wonder how much it takes to break them down any estimates per computer??

I suggest that if this is all new to you..and you have no idea how long it'll take you to break ONE down, Go to a thrift shop, or old computer store. Buy one (You'll probably pay too much for it) tear it all the way down and time yourself.

Each PC is different..I can break a Dell Optiplex down COMPLETELY in about 3 minutes, An old Packard Bell or Compaq might take 5+ minutes....Finding that a Mac PowerPC is a lifetime of work!

But we don't know your physical capabilities, and we don't know your set up, and we don't know if you'll be doing it by hand, or using a screw gun.....so the only way to tell is for you to do one, and use that as an average time.

Fully loaded takes me around 15 minutes each including putting the parts away and hauling the carcass outside to the steel pile.





Yea, I'm old and slow, there beat you to it,,,

Just be careful that they have the inards. If they are missing stuff lower the price and as always be prepared to walk away. I know you have been told a couple times in this thread that it depends if they are complete but it makes a huge difference in the value. Mike.

At current prices $4 each if they only had the case and motherboard in them you would abou break even. Everything else inside would be your profit. I can break down about 15 computers an hour. I would gladly pay $4 each for that load.

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

Fully loaded takes me around 15 minutes each including putting the parts away and hauling the carcass outside to the steel pile.
Yea, I'm old and slow, there beat you to it,,,

I watched my old man break down an old PowerPc Mac...It took him like 15 minutes. I think I knocked out 3 machines while he was fighting with that one. I took a bog screwdriver and Cracked the one I found open. Started ripping pieces out...I think mine still took 10 minutes. Now i understand why you guys hate macs!

I did a big Dell last night and I'll bet it took me 10 minutes to find the little button that allowed the case to open up on a hinge so I could get to the innards. That rascal was not coming apart, so I had to find the magic button.