The varying conditions of scrap yard computers.

This would probably be a lot better with pictures of what I find, but I rarely take any...I just thought this might make a good post. It might give some people an idea of what to expect from scrap yards too.

One of my sources of scrap computers is from scrap yards. Most of the time, these are the bottom of the barrel condition-wise. No begging/pleading/offering more money to handle things carefully will actually make it happen. So, even if a system enters the yard in pristine condition, once it hits the computer pile, it will be far from that. Now, the yards I buy from know nothing about electronics recycling, but I got them to start buying circuit boards and computers. It's a bit of extra money for them, but not a ton. Here are common things I run into:

1. Water and dirt. Always filthy and always left outside for the rain.
2. Front and side panels gone. Where do they go? No idea. At least half of the units are missing these. This isn't an issue most of the time since it would only be beneficial if newer systems were nice and complete. This saves me weight when I purchase.
3. Wire cutters. Happens a lot with the power supply wires and yanking out ide cables. Usually damages salvageable parts.
4. No hard drive or memory. This just happens most of the time when the owner gets rid of the computer. I would too if i was dropping it off at a scrap yard...the hard drive that is.
5. Things stuffed inside. Rocks, metal, trash, (a jar of spaghetti sauce once). Sometimes there are good things such as a bunch of wire or gold fingered cards or memory...
6. Everything bashed up (motherboard, hard drive, etc). The previous owner I expect took a hammer to it.
7. Completely empty. Really? I'm not buying it so I hope the yard didn't pay more than tin price.

All that being said, scrap yards have THE BEST assortment of systems. You never know what you're going to get. It's like a treasure hunt every time I go to pick up. Profit per pound is actually much higher with these loads than business pick-ups with systems that are being retired, or auction lots. I sell as much as possible before scrapping, but even the scrap value is higher.