25 cents/lb for copper?

So my brother took in a bucket of wires he had from a vehicle he was parting out. This was wiring from the tail lights, frame rails, dash, steering column, harnesses, etc.



He got 25 cents a lb and they called it breakage. Does this seem right?

He did ask if it would have made a better price had he clipped off the connectors. They said no, it's still breakage, and it's a low price because of the low copper recovery. Not sure I buy that.

Yeah, with the connectors taken off I would have gotten $1.15 a pound.

My yard dropped prices on insulated wire. Was 40 cents there for awhile but I would only take in the small stuff that wasn't worth the time to strip out. The wires such as the ones in cd/dvd rom drives that connect to the motors as well as computer ribbons. I had a hard time doing that but figured it was cause of the turn around. Last time I went, they were only paying out 15 cents so, they won't get any more insulated wire period from me.

It has also been awhile since they raise copper prices. Still sitting at #2.85 a pound for both types. I found a place that pays $3.10 per pound on #1 and 70 for insulated, but that is an hour away from me. And the only day I seem to make it to that area is on Sundays and they are closed.

Last week I got $1.20 a lb for insulated wire mostly from monitors and televisions.

I got $1.20 as well

I seen 25 cent for copper at the top I don't really understand wat ur saying may be because I'm new but my yard pays 25 cents for electric motors and 3.55 for #2 copper I don't no if it was pure copper u got ripped off big time

Sorry I'm re read it I figure u brought in insulated wire I get 1.20 for #2 insulated wire and .30 for christmas lights whitch is higher than ur insulated so u got a problem I'd go back to nd explain u brought in insulated copper nd its marked as brekage u want ur money or watever amount of wire keep ur reciept but ask for the money first

Originally Posted by teenscrapper

Sorry I'm re read it I figure u brought in insulated wire I get 1.20 for #2 insulated wire and .30 for christmas lights whitch is higher than ur insulated so u got a problem I'd go back to nd explain u brought in insulated copper nd its marked as brekage u want ur money or watever amount of wire keep ur reciept but ask for the money first

I consider it #2, but apparently these asshats don't.

As for getting more money for it. Not likely to happen. However this is the same yard that shorted me $400 and I caught it before leaving. I need a new yard but this one pays the most...well they did until this incident.

Is breakage even a real term when dealing with wire?

Whats the difference between insulated wire number one and number two, im a noob in the scrapworld but got a heep of stuff already and first truckload got me 90 bucks

local prices here for #2 insulated is $1.35 per pound. I send them mixed grades of wire, usually smaller stuff, because we strip the larger stuff for bare/bright [$3.55 per pound]

Does anyone else pull wiring harnesses,etc from cars before scrapping them?
I avg about 20lbs of wire from most cars and even at $1.35 per pound, that adds up at the end of the day. I only grab the easier stuff to get off.

Originally Posted by TJMETALRECYCLERS

local prices here for #2 insulated is $1.35 per pound. I send them mixed grades of wire, usually smaller stuff, because we strip the larger stuff for bare/bright [$3.55 per pound]

Does anyone else pull wiring harnesses,etc from cars before scrapping them?
I avg about 20lbs of wire from most cars and even at $1.35 per pound, that adds up at the end of the day. I only grab the easier stuff to get off.

That's what this stuff was. Harnesses, etc from a Dodge Ram. From the firewall, under the dash, steering column, under the carpet, frame rails, tail lights, head lights, etc.

He made good money overall being that he pretty much sold the truck down to the cab/frame.

Do you clip off any connecters, or scrap it as is? (connectors, looms, etc)

Originally Posted by Mick

From what you said about this wire - I think it should all be "Insulated Copper Wire". 0.25/lb is about half of what I get for Aluminum Sheet. I'd really find a new yard. Unscrupulous scrap yards are going to really hate forums like this. Their days of ripping off the "little guy" are numbered.

I think I am going to ask the main guy next time I am in. He wasn't in that day. The cashier was a new girl, but I won't blame her, though she is the one that gave the bull**** breakage/low recovery story. As I assume it is with most yards, you go in, one of the guys assists, weighs, gives a ticket and you go get paid. Cashier goes by what the ticket says, and I contend the yard guy is an idiot.

I've noticed between the 2 yards I go to, there's always that one that wants to do the least amount of work possible, and I seem to get that person most of the time. Asking questions on how to get top dollar is futile...uhhh err well ummm.

That's why I love this forum. A gold mine of information and resources.

I do clip off the connectors, the looms, etc [ throw them in the trunk of the car]
The bigger stuff goes in our stripping pile
I don't pull out any light assemblies, just clip them off at the back.

Yea when I get 50 cents for "sheet aluminum" and then I get 1.25 for "junk wire" thats a prob with your yard. But mine is great they have tought me allot.