Non-Working - more than scrap value

This topic has come up for discussion amongst a few members in a private setting. It all began with a member commenting about the absurd prices that untested or non-working RAM was selling for on E-bay. Some members thought it was improperly informed gold diggers trying to make a fortune.

I remembered that there is / was a buyer here that paid more than scrap for non-working RAM (2 gb and higher, major brands). I also remembered that there is a buyer here that pays more than scrap on untested / non-working higher end CPUs.

I did some research on-line and on E-bay and found numerous people selling non-working / untested CPUs for more than scrap value. Items that had bids on them were going for more than 20 times scrap value (our buyers prices).

I also researched non-working / untested RAM on-line and on E-bay. I noticed that some people selling this material refer to chip harvesting.

I'm kinda hoping that some of the more informed people here and or buyers can shed some light on this.

I have the same issues with motherboards... Small socket non working motherboards cost more than metal value in them. Hell, my local scrap yard will pay more for them than metal and PM in it is worth. Can anyone explain?

Originally Posted by GreenZA

Guys, anyone else besides army can shed some light? Army would not reply. I don't want to steal your business, all I want is to make sure I'm not sending some valuable chips to refinery. Plus I'm on the other side of the Earth, so not really a competitor. Thanks!

There are certain people that can repair various items. Seems like it is getting less cost effective to do it in the US

Originally Posted by GreenZA

I have the same issues with motherboards... Small socket non working motherboards cost more than metal value in them. Hell, my local scrap yard will pay more for them than metal and PM in it is worth. Can anyone explain?

yes. i think many motherboards that are thrown away bcos theyre not working, can be quite easily repaired. so those who know what /how to do, they can resell it or use the boards to build up complete systems and then resell them
make more money like that.

I ve been told by many local buyers that, for some reason, Japanese are buying all small socket and that it has to do with platinum... Not sure if it's true.

I doubt people repair them. Most of these MB are Pentium 4, way too old. Even a complete system would cost what, $20?