5 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Scrapping Metal

Are You Making These Mistakes With Your Scrap?

With scrap prices constantly changing and not knowing exactly where they are headed, we at the iScrap App must help you make the most from your scrap. We want you to make the most money from your scrap metal, and some of the mistakes listed below can help do just that. We’ve compiled a list of 5 common mistakes scrappers make that can cost money when going to your local scrap yard.

Not Properly Preparing Your Materials

Scrap yards will never encourage you to strip your copper wire when you bring it in. That’s because they don’t have to pay you as much for the copper wire when it’s not stripped!

Suggested Reading: Strip Your Copper

How To Maximise Earnings On Copper Scrap

Get the most out of your copper wire by taking the extra time and stripping it! Your yard will never turn you down for having too much metal, so bringing in as much copper scrap per day as possible is a great way to keep the money rolling in. You can buy a simple wire stripper or a more sophisticated one for larger loads to strip your copper and aluminum insulated wire.

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Suggested Reading: The Best Handheld Wire Strippers

Scraping bare wire with your yard can make you double or triple the money. If you are looking for other essential tips for prepping your metals for the yard, we have some basic guidelines to help you.

Going To A Scrap Yard With Bad Reputation

Just like scrap, you’ve got to weed out the bad stuff from the good stuff that will make you money. You have to weed out the scrap yards you deal with to those who appreciate your business and don’t take advantage of you! Not all scrap yard owners are alike, so you may have to do a little digging before finding the local yard owner whom you want to continue selling your scrap.

Suggested Reading: How To Find The Best Scrap Yard

Some scrap yards may be transparent about how they buy materials and how they want them separated for the best money. At the same time, other scrap yards may not give you a clear-cut answer when you ask them questions. Knowing how to pick a good scrap yard is essential to making the most money when you bring your scrap in.

Being Misled By Different Scrap Metal Grades

When you’re new to scrapping, you may think you have a load of the good stuff until you get to the yard and discover what you thought was #1 Bare Bright Wire is only Insulated Copper Cable (many variations) because you didn’t strip it. That’s a big difference in price per pound!

Even if you’re a veteran around the scrap yard who usually recycles copper wire, say you land a nice load of Insulated Cable only to find out you got your hands on Data Wire. You’re going to feel the difference when you get paid! Make sure you find out what material you have and how your yard likes it prepared before you get to the yard.

Suggested Reading: Types of Stainless Steel

Another material that is important to have an idea about is stainless steel. A typical metal you will come across is stainless steel, but it’s important to know there are different kinds and grades of stainless steel. Stainless steel has Nickel inside; the nickel content determines the different grades. Ask your scrap yard about how they identify their stainless steel grades.

As mentioned above, you may not know the difference between copper grades when starting. Copper comes in many grades; here are the most common:

Separate Your Materials Before Your Trip To The Scrap Yard

Many scrap yards will not let people separate at the door because the yard will make less money. You’ll also tie up their labor and could hold up other customers. Having materials separated before going to a scrap yard is essential. If you don’t sort your scrap, the yard owner will classify all of your scrap as the least valuable in the load. Think about it – if you have a ton of #1 Bare Bright Wire with a few strips of #2 Copper Tubing/Wire mixed in, you can quickly be paid the price for #2 Copper Tubing for the whole load. That price difference can add up – think about it!

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Know The Price You Are Going To Get Paid

Before you take your materials to your chosen scrap yard, call ahead to get their prices or check the iScrap App National Prices on the app or the web. You can find the best possible price for your materials by calling some local scrap yards. As mentioned, don’t let pricing be your only criterion for selecting a scrap yard. (You never know. They might be making up for a higher price with a slightly lower scale. It’s hard to put a value on the customer service you get at a well-run yard!

When asking for prices, the scrap yard will honor the price if you come that day. If you are not going to the scrap yard that day, you can’t expect a yard to keep a fee every time. Because scrap prices can change quickly and often, prices can be different since you got your quote. So be prepared to call on your way in for a current price.

Suggested Reading: Finding the Best Scrap Prices

When you are getting ready to bring your scrap metal into your local scrap yards, you must know what prices and services you will get at your local scrap yard. When scrappers are loading their materials before going to a scrap yard, it’s good to have metals separated and prepared. If you don’t feel comfortable with a scrap yard’s services, you can always pack back up and go to a different location you can find on the iScrap App.