So I thought I'd put out what's been working for me since jord is now getting into
E-Waste.
I've had great luck through a community Facebook garage sale site (actually a few). I think a point here is that I live in a small town of 10,000 with a few outlying smaller cities within half an hour. I've had success (but not as much) through Craigslist. I put out messages that I'm buying old/broken computers for up to $5 each. I also keep an eye out on the site (and so does my wife). What's really helped me is that I've made it clear that I want any computer, and I'm willing to pay. The Facebook page is a really friendly group, and once I've established myself and people remmeber me, they start sending me leads so I don't have to check Facebook all the time.
There are many times when someone has said they have a bunch of old electronics including a computer. The scrappers (metal only) ususally ask for a PM. Someone will tag me in the post, and mention that I pay. BAM, I get the scrap, even though I wasn't first in line. I think what set me apart is one of the first people asked - are you sure you want this? It doesn't have a hard drive and won't work. I told her - If you found it in a lake, covered with lake gunk, I would still buy it. Well, that statement stuck with a lot of people. Now they know me. The computers aren't delivered to me, but I get a good frequency through there. And anytime someone asks for computers on there, I reach out to them and find out their angle. So far, I'm the only one in my county that does E-Waste that I'm aware of.
I will say that I spend time on Facebook answering anyone's computer questions when I can. It's about relationships. I've also given away computers from time to time through the site.
My largest score to date came when I replied to a Craigs List add offering $25+ hard drives. I offered $15 and stuck to it until he accepted the price. I figured with 25 hard drives he has to have a lot more stuff - maybe I could buy the old junk. So we got to talking a little bit, and he had just taken in a load of computers to the scrapyard for steel only. I told him we'd do well together. Ended up stuffing 11 computers (mostly gutted but some were complete, 4 rack telecom switches, 2 UPS's, 3 lap tops (2 P1 and a 486), and 30 hard drives. I ended up spending $55 instead of 15, and the deal was much better.
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Originally Posted by ScraperRick
P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling. 
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