interesting pricieing in the market.

looking back at Iron Mikes index, iron and steel prices havent dropped that much as well as Alu. not nearly enough to reflect the drop in prices at the local yards. according to his index mill prices are holding well. but market prices are fluctuating downward on iron and alu.

the mill price of sheet iron for example is at $300 while the yard price is down to $160 in some places,

copper is interesting in that Mill price of #1 is at #3.03 while #2 is at $3.89 >86 higher but the market price of #1 is #2.94 and #2 is $2.80 .14 lower. dosent add up to me but then Im not a foundry. maybe some one here can explain this anomoly.
It appears to me the yard should be paying at least .70 or .80 more for #2 then #1.
the number of hands your material goes through on its way to the mill will effect your prices greatly. do your homework.

did you read iron mikes fine print?

Is this more of a real world indicator??
http://www.scrapmonster.com/

Depending on the yard, they may have contract fullfilment/obligation on delivery for a certain price. Because yard XYZ pays 20% less than yard ABC for a commodity, doesnt mean they are "ripping you off" all the time, there is a likelihood they dont have as strong of a market for that commodity.