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just a thought
since they want the metal only, the boards, CPU, RAM etc-thats of no value to them.
so ask if u can strip those items from the computers & buy that from them at 25-30c per lb
then they will be left with clean metal-which is most probably what they actually want.
,Get a group weight and a total # on complete units and partial units . Compare the prices at by the piece and by the # . I would also be up front about the fact that it has been 7 months and the pile is still growing , you want to be the current and future buyer . The previous buyers rate is invalid , 7 months ago it was valid but the ball is now in your court as they do not have a buyer . Also point out that .25 a lb is 3 x what they have invested in them and you want to make this a long term deal .Quote:
Originally Posted by mudlight2
I would be wary telling them your going to sell them back anything but the steel unless they have fair rates on other components .
Get a total lb. multiply that by .25 c a lb. as that's what you will be paying . Now divide that number by the total # of computers .that is your per computer price . Compare thatt to o $3-5$ range and you will have your best plan on making the best bid.
I always try to give a larger number on lots that a individual price . For example let's say they had 50 towers all complete . What offer sounds better to them $4 a piece or $200 for the pile . It's the same but sounds better in the latter . Good luck I hope you land the deal and tell them to spread the word to other yards .
I think i would try talking directly with the owner and see if you can build some kind of rapport with him. You're not getting anywhere with the scale guy.
It's possible that they're holding out for some unknown reason. See what kind of a read you get on the boss. If he seems inclined to make a deal, offer to double the money between the buy and sell price and take it from there.
Make sure you have cash in hand.
Cash is fast ! ;)
Check with the owner. You may be able to "feel him" out. I've been able to do that before... with competing yards. You just have to be likable.
The average computer tower is around 20-25 pounds, so if you pay him $0.20 per pound, you'd be paying about $4-5. Modern systems are lighter, though.
I think that a deal to give them the metal back could work for you. With my yard, I get the computers for free. He gets an equal number of cases for free.
Of course, I'm friends with the yard owner, so you probably shouldn't try that offer. ;)
He wants the metal, though (usually). I get free tires from my yard, because he wants the aluminum rims, and doesn't want the tire. Same thing here. You want computer parts. He wants computer cases.
personally, i wouldnt go much over .20 per pound. With the lower scrap pricing, labor involved, and lack of items that can be resold, its not the cash cow it used to be.
They were probably purchased at scrap price around .08 per pound. .20 per pound gives them 2.5 times their investment and they get it now versus waiting for a check from the mill.
My small family owned yard is willing to swll them to me because its a fast turnover for him, doesnt tie up his employees, he doesnt mess with escrap, and enjoys the cash in his pocket. His focus is metals only.
Ok I think I can add some insights into this, first as being a former yard owner, I can share with you there thought process , they are a special breed, they are the smart guys the sharp guys, they think. I can tell you they do not like for there customers to make money off of something they sell you, it's just a matter of principle with them, that being said e-waste is a pain in the butt for them, they are used to hundreds or thousands of tons of steel, these little computers are labor intense small items that half of them don't know what is inside of them and are to busy with there other items to Learn about them. That's why many yards do not buy e-scrap, ya they will pay you shread price and just put it into there tin and that's the extent they will go. With that beIng said if you can break the ice with them R ember this they buy by weight and that's how they sell by weight. You are in my opinion not going to chery pick what you want and leave the shhhhit. Figure out were you got to be 20, 22, 25, 30 cents a pound tell them you wil take them all. Don't bring up. What they pay and how much they will make, even though your thousand dollar investment is big for you to a yard it's not a life changing deal to them, I have started buying from yards and it's working out great for me it is a way to get you to the next level fast, some units are better than others as long as they haven't been cherry picked you will be ok, I think any where between .20-.25 a lb is the right price now, go for it, remember when you play base ball you can't hit a home run every time you get up to bat,
cool beans. Thanks guy. I am going to contact the owner tomorrow. ill let you guys know what happens. its a big pile and i want it! but i do not wanna break even or lose money. I gotta get the good stuff. profit.
I never buy computers by the pound as stated they can weigh as little as 6 lbs and as much as 20 lbs or more, you will LOSE money buying by the pound. I'm buying computers from a yard near me for $4.00 each, I work at a scrap yard and have several customers that know I buy computers and bring them to my house which I pay them $5.00 each. I break down ever thing in the computer with the help of my 5 year old great grandson, hard drive, cd/dvd, power supply, floopy disk. Some weeks I only get a few computers other weeks I may get as many as 50 computers. I sell my non ferrous and ferrous weekly, great grandson gets the non ferrous money because he knows it's worth more, I get the sheet iron money to buy more computers. Just my 2cents on buying computers.
I won't pay for whole units of anything. In fact until recently I've never paid for any scrap. Now I'll buy boards and only if I can double my investment. No, I don't do the volume that some members do. But, everything I do get is sure profit. I also pay close attention to the market. Read on here more than once not to buy or sell when desperate.Besides scrap is my retirement account. I love it!!
Check out our buyers price lists and do some comparison with what you making now on the nonferrous. You might be surprised.Quote:
Some weeks I only get a few computers other weeks I may get as many as 50 computers. I sell my non ferrous and ferrous weekly, great grandson gets the non ferrous money because he knows it's worth more,
You may find that many computers have hard drives removed, since people don't want their private information out there. At least thats what I've found from picking computers up on garbage days, usualy about half have the drives pulled, may want to factor that in too, since hard drives are worth around $1 each in scrap (I think)
Yep, I find a lot of HD's and ram removed.
After the last load and with the prices dropping, the next load is going to be offered at 2.75 per 'puter.
I feel like I'm breaking even at 3.50 even tho I know I'm doing a little better.
i wouldnt pay more than .17 especially if u dont know how complete they are
If all your doing is eyeballing computers without knowing what is inside them to make an offer consider this: What are you getting for shred right now? The average computer weighs around 21 lbs...overall that seems close to my averages anyways although I do alot of small form factor machines.
Anyways, I will use my eyeballing as an example, I'm getting 140 a ton for shred (good ol boy rate else 125/ton). Knowing a computer weighs "20" pounds I either pay 1.50 each or pay 7 cents a lb. Remember you have to pay yourself labor too, and gas, and storage, and more labor for breakdowns, and more gas for transport of shred and more time for shipping...and possibly shipping cost.
If material isn't arriving at your door ready for sorting you should not be paying top tier pricing for it, too many times I watch guys pay ten bucks or even 5 bucks a tower and their excited until they get to me and see how much overhead was involved to get to those boards and those memory sticks...keep all of that in mind.
The yard I am using is processing also. The dealer pricing (buying is .32/lbs they are down for .35 with gold.) They are only doing around 5000 units a month.
I pay .20 a lbs for whole units and break them down.