Please help!!!

**Amber87** · 11-20-2012, 06:11 PM

This was my first time attempting to scrap something. I had about 400 lbs of aluminum and steel. Took it apart because the guy there said I would get more money and brought it back up there and only got $39 for it.. It just dont seem right at all and I'm so confused. I only did it this one time to make some extra money because my husband just lost his job and not it wasted gas and time doing any of this. Please anyone know if that sounds right or think they can help me?

**MattInTheHat** · 11-20-2012, 06:19 PM

can you scan your receipt for us?

**jghilino** · 11-20-2012, 06:21 PM

Depends. Do you know how much of the 400 pounds was aluminum? But it definitely sounds too low. 400 pounds of just steel would bring $40 with steel at $200 per ton. What does it say on the receipt?

Current prices here now: shred at $195, cars no tires $210

**miked** · 11-20-2012, 06:45 PM

Also you need to know what "clean" means in the scraping business. It does not mean washed clean. It means you have removed all other types of material. If you have one steel screw in an aluminum door the yard could call it "dirty aluminum" and pay about $0.15lb rather than $0.50lb.

You are trying so do the homework here on the forum, read the sticky threads at the top of most sections. Then read as much as you can stand of the old threads. If you do this you will have at least a Masters degree in Scrapology. I am not kidding, help youself out. The amount of things you don't know enough to ask is huge reading here will help you make money. In the mean time save up the material if you can. If not just save the aluminum(Al) and copper(Cu).

I have watched many people join this forum and succeed in this tough business and wish you the best. Mike.

**Bear** · 11-20-2012, 07:04 PM

was it the same guy both times ? if not, the one might have told you to help, the next one might not have bothered and just payed dirty aluminum

**Amber87** · 11-20-2012, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by MattInTheHat

can you scan your receipt for us?

How would I do that? I have a picture of the receipt but I don't know how to upload it

**Bear** · 11-20-2012, 07:51 PM

i think you can't until after 5 posts, what does it say they payed you for ? 400@$40= 0.10# which is about shred/tin price

**eesakiwi** · 11-20-2012, 11:24 PM

We need the weights & descriptions of the metals you sold.

The Ali weight & the iron weight, & the condition of the Ali & same with the iron.

**Russell** · 11-21-2012, 06:44 AM

Or, you could look at your reciept and describe what is on it. Just saying...

**bcrepurposing** · 12-21-2013, 03:19 AM

Sounds to me like it was brought in as a mixed load and wasn't separated. Many yards will do this to those that don't know any better. They will buy the whole load as iron.

Always keep your metals separated. If you cant keep them separated, then keep them as divided as you can and manually off load. Many yards will gladly pay you 1/5 the value and take a few minutes later after you leave to turn the extra buck sorting it if you let them.