A frustrating problem

**ParkerFlyer4** · 09-28-2013, 03:47 PM

Just a little rant:
I've been getting a steady supply of computers each week. Anywhere from 5 to 30 a week. But recently, I find that a bunch of them are "gutted" of things like ram, cpu and cards. They just smash and grab too, leaving me more work for only a motherboard and a heatsink. I Pay less for these, so I still do alright. But the money isn't the only reason I do this. I love the 'treasure hunt' part of finding good parts when I open the shell. It's just disappointing opening a shell and seeing only a motherboard and broken parts everywhere. Then it's REALLY disappointing doing it 20+ times in a row..... I don't know why they don't take the motherboard too?

**TheKid** · 09-28-2013, 05:21 PM

I'd guess they don't know what all is on it or what it is its tough to take out quickly

**parttimescrapperMD** · 09-28-2013, 07:17 PM

Where are you getting 5-20 computers a week? I'm new to scrapping and would love to know where to find a bunch of computers.

**Mechanic688** · 09-28-2013, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by parttimescrapperMD

Where are you getting 5-20 computers a week? I'm new to scrapping and would love to know where to find a bunch of computers.

It takes a lot of networking and talking to people.

**Bear** · 09-28-2013, 10:25 PM

if you're paying for the computers, you're probly losing money

**webuyselltradestuff** · 09-29-2013, 01:14 PM

Dude it is roi...return on investmeny...best money by weight and space it takes up...cpu, ram, easily accessable cards (to cut fingers)...no muss no fuss and you can pack a ton in even a backpack...that is why they do it. Low hanging fruit.

They want the $$$ and dont want to work much to get it....hance why they pull only those items...same with cord cutters.

**EcoSafe** · 09-29-2013, 03:03 PM

The scavengers/smash and grabbers..,,.. have always been there, its just that they are now finding out about computers.
not much ya can realy do about it, it's just part of what you have to contend with in the scrap business.

**billygoat** · 09-29-2013, 06:02 PM

I get that from repair shops and the like. I don't mind, they have to make a living too. Most of the time they pull things out of outdated or non-working computers that might come in handy for a future repair or that they might be better off hanging on to for future sales. Next time I go there they might have a bunch of non-working parts that piled up as a result of making repairs, so it all works out.

**ParkerFlyer4** · 09-30-2013, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Bear

if you're paying for the computers, you're probly losing money

I wouldn't be doing very good, if I wasn't still making money on them. I'm not paying by weight. I'm paying by components remaining. Like I said, I am still making money. Smash and grabbers just take some of the fun out, thats all.

A frustrating problem

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