I Hate To Scrap, But.....

I have a bunch of wire I have picked up at yard sales for less than scrap prices. I have a ton of extension cords, some with multiple outlets, 14-12 AWG, 25 to 100ft.... Nice cords. I have 14 and 12 AWG 2 con w/grd romex and 14 and 12 MC... 25ft+. I can't seem to sell them online. I am asking 1/2 to 1/3 retail, or even $1 a pound, for at least a couple months now and no bites. I am to the point I am tired of having them around and am about to throw it all in the ICW pile and turn it in. Anybody have any suggestions to get better than scrap before I scrap it?

Originally Posted by t00nces2

I have a bunch of wire I have picked up at yard sales for less than scrap prices. I have a ton of extension cords, some with multiple outlets, 14-12 AWG, 25 to 100ft.... Nice cords. I have 14 and 12 AWG 2 con w/grd romex and 14 and 12 MC... 25ft+. I can't seem to sell them online. I am asking 1/2 to 1/3 retail, or even $1 a pound, for at least a couple months now and no bites. I am to the point I am tired of having them around and am about to throw it all in the ICW pile and turn it in. Anybody have any suggestions to get better than scrap before I scrap it?

I have learned that some stuff just doesnt sell as well as I thought it would, and some stuff sells way easier than I thought it would.

For example, broke lawn mowers/weedwackers I thought "who the heck would by this, its gotta be scrap".... but they always sell and now I even have a few "small engine guys" that are repeat buyers.

Flip side, Microwaves, most that are throw out work and can be cleaned up. But I had 3 or four listed and only 1 sold (and only for $10 after repeatedly lowering the price), so now I always instantly just scrap out microwaves.

Extension cords I get pretty often and just always throw in my ICW bin as is. I saved the first couple I got to keep around the house, and one that was unusually long, but now that I have all I need I just scrap them, never even thought to try and sell them.... which seems like I made the right move since it doesnt sound like there is too hot a market for them.


Sounds like the time and effort already put in to trying to sell these are more trouble than its worth and it may be time to just get rid of them

Sometimes you've got to bite the bullet and do the practical thing T. An item is only worth what somebody is willing to pay for it. I have stripped them out for the stranded copper inside before but it's a fair amount of work for marginal gain. The juice wasn't worth the squeeze on that one.

One thing i did find was that sometimes the wire inside is blackened. Maybe they overloaded the cord or left it outside and water got in ? Maybe the insulation isn't quite up to par and it oxidized ? Maybe just cheap Chinese junk ?

The thing is ... there's really no way of knowing. It can look perfectly good on the outside and still be rotted on the inside.

I had a thing like that about a year ago when i bought a used power tool from one of the local scrappers. He plugged it in to show that it was working and the motor wouldn't start. Got it home and it fired right up. The second hand wiring in his shop just wasn't able to handle the amp draw because it was compromised.

Originally Posted by mikeinreco

I need some long extension cords mine are in rough shape post a link to your ebay listings

I have a ton, let me know what you are looking for and I'll get a pick and we can work out a price...

I wonder if T. could strip out the romex and BX for the bare bright inside. Could make a little extra that way.

The trend is to go 4 prong on 220 V. these days. Not up on the codes but i think you've got to have two hots, one ground, and a safety neutral ? The three prong cords might be obsolete ? They yield a little bit of brass and about .13 lbs of # 2 copper per foot when you strip them out. They're not hard to do and it all adds up over time.

Well, I bit the bullet and started listing them one by one. They are actually selling like hotcakes. So far I have sold five of them for a total of $75, and I still have a box full of them. SO, it looks like I will buy any I find in bulk and just continue to list them piecemeal.

Originally Posted by t00nces2

Well, I bit the bullet and started listing them one by one. They are actually selling like hotcakes. So far I have sold five of them for a total of $75, and I still have a box full of them. SO, it looks like I will buy any I find in bulk and just continue to list them piecemeal.

Thats very good to hear! good stuff. Ebay? or local via CL/letgo/etc?

If your not using CL I would suggest you do for those. Whatever doesn't sell on ebay that is.



Put contractor, construction, etc in the ad/keywords. For sale section of course, but I have great success in the barter section with the most random things.

I know down here those cords wouldn't last long. Edit to add: When said wouldn't last long, I meant up for sale. Folks would buy'em. Between construction, hurricanes, ocean air, etc etc..we use them a lot on the sandbar.

The really long ones, mention their great for people with electrical lawn equipment, or for power tools if working outside. I"d never use an electrical lawn mower, or weed eater...tho I have used the weed eater type once. but others do. Save the earth an all that.

I'm sure you know all this, but eh...whatever.

Also remember, something like 50 million people on unemployment, as people slowly get back to work. They could be just holding out on spending money til things get back to "normal".

Good luck on the rest of them!

Sirscrapalot - No, I'm not here to rob you. I'm just trying to pay for my **** chips! - me when I have to buy things at places with a mask on.

Sold another 100 footer tonight, as well as an old computer I refurbished.