What is going on with some of the new buyers recently? - Page 3

My turn!

I always felt that finding pricing online is a major help in determining the value of my product. However, I have also learned that this doesnt automatically mean I will do business with that person. I would rather have a great relationship with a buyer that I intend to work with for a long time. Now, a buyer with prices posted on here (pick one) may or may not fill that requirement, but NOT posting prices will not disqualify someone for me. If it does for you then I think you have a narrow vision for your business (not meant as a put-down). My advice is to explore all the opportunities you find on here. You may find a gem by not overlooking those that dont offer all the information you require.

One other bit of advice is to remember that words written on a forum such as this should be written carefully. Intentions do not always come across in print as one would like. I try to glean the intent over the content once I understand that something that sounds "snarky" or "arrogant" may not be intended as such.

Personally, I have dealt with 2 of the people that replied to this thread where one does not post prices and the other posts basic information. After dealing with them I completely understand their business concept and why they post the way they do. It may/may not be how I would do things, but their businesses seem to be thriving and I have enjoyed working with them both. There are a few others on here that do post prices and I hope to do business with them at some point. If thing work out well with them they will also be on my list of preferred buyers. Take the time to build a relationship that works for you and dont discount someone because they dont post, or blindly use someone just because they do post. Take the time to pick up the phone and talk to them. It's just good business sense.



*edit*---I will be happy to share my experiences with buyers on here if you want to pm me...but I wont do it publicly

Interesting topic i've read this thread several times and my head fills with ideas.

If the customer wants prices give them prices?
Do you go to a store and ridicule them because their newspaper ad didnt have a price?
Do these guys really want my business?
If you don't like what you read, or don't like the lack of information, why don't you just move onto another buyer?

I guess i've came to the following conclusion! I can see both sides of this!
Nobody's right, and Nobody's wrong.

I'll make my own decision about who I sell my stuff to, and I'll pick the person that meets my expectations. And you can pick the person who meets yours too.

So my final thought is this, do whats best for you, I'll do whats best for me. We'll both understand it and not hate each other for it.
I'm sure you've all heard "you can make SOME of the people happy SOME of the time, you might be able to make MOST of the people happy MOST of the time, but you CAN'T make ALL the people happy ALL the time."

Prices being posted - If you do, thank you. Like another I'm up and doing my thing mostly at night.If your a buyer and your open for business and phone calls 24/7 ....great! I'll give you a call at 3am, when I'm grabbing a soda, and some food for lunch.

I'd settle with a website that has a price list that is updated as its required. Or heck lest promise to put me on a mailing list for updates. I could live that with that also. Just so i don[t have to play email/phone tag. Been there done that, got the broken keyboards to prove it.

Sirscrapalot - HI!

This is my opinion and my opinion only. The one thing that trumps everything is integrity. It dosen't matter what your doing or who you are if you don't have integrity I won't have anything to do with you. You all wont sell something if the buyer that dosn't post/addvertise prises but i wonder how many of you call the supper market for prises before going shopping. Just because a buyer does not post thiere prices dose not mean they are taking advantage of anybody. I am a buyer and I do not post prices on this forum or anywhere else and yes some sellers that I buy from I pay a little higher price than others yet every one of my sellers are very happy with what I pay them. Now you ask why would I pay more to one guy and less to some one else? Well there are several reasons for this and first one is integrity. Second is quanity and quality of boards, if I addvertised my prices then I would have to pay everybody the same price regardless of quality of the boards. Here is an example of what I'm talking about. If I explain to a seller how to prep his boards to get a better price and they do it as explained to them then they get a better price but on the other hand some people are just lazy and want to just throw the boards in a box with the excess steel on them and not sorted or any thing. This creates more work for me so why should I pay the same price for these boards. Some of my sellers/buyers have very good integrity and when they tell me that they will do some thing they do it, if I call them and get a vioce mail they call me right back, if I send and e-mail they e-mail or call me right back and they don't bs me, this goes for members and nonmembers of this forum. One of my main buyer of e-waste dose not advertise prices and his prises are right up there with the main buyers on this forum. His integrity is second to none and I will continue to sell to him even if he has to lower his prises. Just my .02

I just can't see how anyone who posts prices can remain competitive. Most of you that have chimed in have commented that... and others that almost "demand" prices be posted don't get it. There is almost a 3 week swing on price per pound. One week to find out what it is, and debate the profitablity of it. One week to post it. One week to start getting product in. By the end of that 3rd week, you can lose a lot of money. I almost don't trust any website prices that are posted that are over over 2 weeks un-updated. We have a scrapyard locally that posts the prices on line, and the most I've seen them go without is about 15 days. And they also say on there, I think, prices aren't firm. Then again, no prices are firm until you get the check.

Originally Posted by NobleMetalWorks

If I might be so bold as to suggest another option, I would like also to see people selling scrap posting sell prices so that buyers can shop sellers as well. Scott

Definitely an interesting idea....
at least for those of us who have sold material a couple of times - it's a horrible feeling knowing what you have & not knowing what it's really worth due to lack of selling experience

Hi everyone! Just finished catching up on this thread - interesting topic for sure - seems like it almost caused some problems (key word almost)
I evaluated my own process for selecting a buyer for my material and noticed that I am fiercely loyal when it comes to who I work with here and in all areas of my life. I have faith that my loyalty reaps the rewards that it's entitled to (at least in my business endeavors friends are another story of course)
Maybe the area in which you live and/or grew up in helps to define or decides how one will comfortably conduct business. I come from a small town, born and raised and I notice several differences in how I think as compared to individuals that live and/or come from larger cities.
A little off topic but just subjecting all of you to my brain's workings.
As for posting prices - unfortunately by the time that I end up getting my shipment to the shipping company any price(s) that I have checked are usually not valid anymore and sometimes may change before my chosen buyer receives my material. That's all on me though of course. It's nice to have a point of reference to start at but in the end - it is what it is.
I choose my buyer initially based on the "feeling" that I get from them all in all.
Rambling over - have fun!