Todays scrap prices in San Antonio,Tx

Called yards today to check prices:

Light iron .13 lbs.
Electric Motors .25 lbs.
Insulated extension cord 1.00 lbs.
Sealed motors .12 lbs.
CU/AL Radiators 1.35 lbs.
Lead Battery .14 lbs.
Xmas lights .25 lbs.
Cast Al .55 lbs.

Only thing I will be selling is iron and insulated extension cords. Maybe CU/AL Radiators, but I can get 1.70 lbs. for these 4 hrs.away so I may hold out untill I get more. I have about 400 pounds now.

At .12 a pound for compressors it would be worthwhile to cut them up.

I usually throw a few sealed motors in with electric motors and get the .25 lbs.

Thanks for the price information.
I haven't brought in a load yet. What do they expect in terms of cleanliness on the light steel? Is paint OK? How about rust? Separate cast iron from the steel? How about Stainless Steel...same as steel price? Is extruded aluminum worth anything?
And...do you have a favorite place to bring the scrap, or are they priced closely across the city?
Thanks for any help you can lend.

Uh oh. ^^^

Scrappy, I think you have a lot of reading to do!

we are getting raped here.

Scrapppy Welcome to the forum...... The prices have changed dramatically since March 2012, & not for the better! I deal with several yards because each one pays different for each type of metals. When you get a load of material ready to sell, I would call around and shop price. Remember, the more lbs. you have, the more leverage you have getting a higher price. Good Luck.....

Thanks Big Tex and other gentlemen. I appreciate being able to ease into this as a greenhorn without getting another one ripped.
I'll make some calls in the morning.
As far as the finer points, FreonJoe...what do you suggest reading? Just google the topics?
Guessing from your comments there might be price collusion in San Antonio, keeping it below market compared with other cities.

Well fellow scrappers the prices that are posted are a little on the lite side in s.florida we are getting .31 on compressors sealed units,electric motors .34 tin 185..00 a ton #1 HMS 280..00 a ton copper alum rads clean 1.70 dirty 1.55 question what is a sealed motor?

Scrappy, follow this link and download the scrap specifications circular. It will give you a good idea on all the different grades and specs for sorting your scrap.

Scrap Specifications Circular

A sealed motor is a refrigeration compressor.

OK we call them sealed units the reason is to distiwish between auto a/c compressors

Johny,
Regarding the 'by the ton' quotes...what does, for example, 185..00 mean? Is it $1.85 a ton, or maybe $185.00 a ton? If it's $185, that explains a lot of the pickups and flatbeds chasing around town picking up junk.

Big Tex ..This is Robert in SA....I am trying to get current average prices for alum. brass, copper, computers....and ... I am trying to get a contact on an ac person that can Recover the freon from central air units so I can scrap them ...do you know any one with a license that can do this and supply the needed paper work???
I am new in this business, I am retired and decided to go into this business so I have a truck, trailer, tools, rented a small shop and am trying to see if it will produce enough income to make it worth while.........
Have you ever tried buying scrap at DOD and other type auctions and scrap for a profit???I need to do some basic math to see if I can use the auctions as a source for inventory to sell............any info you could give me would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
Robert