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I'm thinking about trying to get into buying the cores from shops, but don't know much about it. If you are doing so, give me some hints on what has worked for you so far. Such as, how often to you pick them up? How much are you paying, and are you paying based on weight or numbers, etc?
I realize that most every shop has a scrap guy, so I'll have to try to break into the market, but I am interested in the idea.
I pick up monthly and have set amounts per item for automotive starters, alternators, aluminum radiators, brass radiators, aluminum transmissions and motor blocks. I also have a couple truck shops and stuff from there needs to be prorated. Figure how much work is involved with each item and adjust your pricing accordingly. For instance, there isn't much work involved with processing starters and alternators; but radiators need to have the plastic sides and steel lines removed. Aluminum transmissions aren't worth tearing apart to sell as Cast - in my opinion.
Pricing - sorry, but you'll have to figure out your own. Just keep going around and asking if they've got any starters, radiators etc they'll sell you. Go out to the less densely populated areas. Surely you've got small neighborhoods shops in your area. You have to start somewhere and competing with the established guys is just frustrating. Keep at it and you'll get some. I got into scrap metal just that way - I was buying just batteries when a small, local shop owner asked if I wanted to buy some radiators. I had no idea what to do with them and had never been to a scrap yard selling stuff. The next time there, he asked me again and I turned them down, again. That time I asked a wrecker driver I knew about them. He told me where a scrap yard was and how to prepare the radiators. The next time, I bought them for $2 a radiator - there were 21 and I made over $100 - and "the rest is history".
Thanks, this is a good starting point.
Rowdy,
If you are in Houston, Texas, I can help you out. We are the buyer of scrap automotive electrical parts. Or you can call me at 713-644-1999, i will answer your questions.