Many people ask me what the difference between bad scrap metal and good scrap metal. The answer is the consistency and quality of the element within. Scrap metal that is rusted or has other elements inside of the metal will not sell very well. The scrap metal price dealer will need to take an estimate on how much of it is scrap metal and how much of it isn’t; typically the dealer will low ball in order to make sure he doesn’t get ripped off. This is only fair. You can cut down on getting poor scrap metal prices like this by only gathering high quality material. This requires that you take a bit more time rather than just going to a place and scooping up a large hunk of something that looks like it could have something valuable in it. As time goes by you will get better and better at finding exactly what you’re looking for.
The key to doing this is to find a place that produces only pure high quality scrap metal through and through. Many mechanic shops are a good place to start. They have parts from cars that have gone bad and are virtually worthless to them, but if retrieved you can get a great scrap metal price for them. One thing to consider when picking up the parts is that they are indeed worthless. Some mechanics simply do not have the space to store their bad scrap metal pieces / parts so they throw them out. There are times where the part can actually be sold as is as a part rather than taking it to a scrap metal price dealer who would pay you by the pound. Certain mufflers weigh a pound and you would get 20 cents or so for it, where as if the muffler is still good you could sell it for 70 dollars depending on what kind it is. So it helps to develop some knowledge in whatever type of place you are collecting in so that you can recognize when the value of that item is actually higher being sold as is or if it should be taken to a dealer.
Another thing that’s important when collecting scrap metal is that you check it for rust. Scrap metal price dealers really hate rust and if you bring them a bunch of rusted scrap metal they most likely will not want to deal with you anymore. Rust is like a fungus or growth on scrap metal and it can get on other pieces and really ruin it so just stay away from it. This is especially imprtant in places that rain a lot. This is why if you could fly your scrap metal over to the UK you would really make a lot of money for it. Scrap metal prices in the UK are high because the weather there is often rainy which leads to more rust than usual. A lot of people don’t know this, but the problem is how would you ship your scrap metal over there!? Unless you had an absurd amount to make it worth it, probably just better to stick within your community.
Another aspect of collecting and getting the best scrap metal price is the quality of the scrap metal. What I mean is just like diamonds can come in different karot’s scrap metal can come in different qualities. The scrap metal price is going to be almost directly dependant on this feature. Once again the key is WHERE you’re collecting your scrap metal from. This just comes with experience and driving around. If you really want the best price then put in the time and research and once again..location location location!!