Breaking down cell phones...Is it worth it? (PICS)

I picked up about 4 1/2 lbs. of cell phones today, and decided to break down a sample to see if it pays more to sell them whole or broken down. Here's the results with pics. I know these vary alot in size and weight, but this is just a typical flip phone and will give an idea.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...s8d1e547a.jpg?
Weighs in at 2.2 ounces. Battery and back cover removed. Using Ewasted's pricing of $6.65/lb. for whole cell phones, this phone is worth $0.91 as is.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...g?t=1348349505
Here is the board removed. Weighs in at .4 ounces. Using Ewasted's pricing of $11.15 for cell phone boards, this board is worth approx. $0.28.

Is it worth it? No way! That's a loss of $0.63 on this phone. I know there are variables, and probably some phones that would yeild a profit. I'll just sell them whole though! I'm really surprised at the difference. Hope this saves someone some money.

It just so happens that was the exact same phone I was using before I upgraged to a smart phone. Now I know what it's worth in scrap.

Don't forget that you can also sell the li-ion batteries. That would change the price ratio, even if just a little.

50% of that board is solid gold plated so .2 ounce at $13 per ounce = $2.60, .2 ounce of high grade board so 8 cents, 5 cents for the battery, so $2.73 total

if the plastic has metal studs attached it can be sold as shred

you didnt show the other side of the board but it has gold plated contacts for the buttons

Where are you getting $13/ounce for boards - gold-plated or not??

base price of Fingers are $7 per ounce, mid thickness solid plated is $13 per ounce or about $200 per pound, solid plated has different grades just like fingers, I ask and get $13 per ounce for this material on ebay, scrappers usally only pay base rates for this type of material, thats why you are better off selling on the open market, ive been paid $50 for 1 ounce of superthin substrate solid plated before

this lot is mostly solid plated cell phone board trimmings i sold, it has some fingers and plated metal parts / pins in it that hurts the value of the solid plated:

gold lot scrap ultra high yield 2.4 ounces gold fingers / trimmings solid gold | eBay

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jghilino

50% of that board is solid gold plated so .2 ounce at $13 per ounce = $2.60, .2 ounce of high grade board so 8 cents, 5 cents for the battery, so $2.73 total

if the plastic has metal studs attached it can be sold as shred

you didnt show the other side of the board but it has gold plated contacts for the buttons

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I've got a tiny pile of those multi-gold dotted beauties, staring at me right now. Start'n to Love 'em. :) Gold is Gold. Merry Christmas to y'all too. lb