Planning Your First Trip To A Scrap Yard? 4 Tips For Success

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If you've never been to a scrap yard, you don't know what you're missing. Scrap yards are a great way to make money from your old metal. Before you head to the scrap yard though, there are some things you need to know. First, scrap yards can be dangerous places. To avoid injuries, make sure you wear sturdy shoes and bring a pair of gloves along. Second, scrap yards are often busy places. You'll want to stay out of the way of the heavy equipment. Finally, there are some tips to having a successful scrap yard trip. Here are four of those tips. 

Pay Attention to Prices

When it comes to scrap yard success, it's important to pay attention to prices. Scrap metal prices fluctuate with the market. If you're going to sell scrap metal, you want to wait until the prices are up. If you're going to buy scrap metal, you want to wait until the prices are low. Watching the prices will help you get the best deal. 

It's Not All About Selling

If you're going to visit a scrap yard for the first time, spend some time exploring the surroundings. You might think the only reason to go to a scrap yard is to sell scrap metal. But that's not the case. You can find some pretty useful items at a scrap yard. In fact, that's the best place to go if you're looking for spare parts for an old washing machine or dryer. If you're restoring an old car, you might be able to spare parts for that project too. Just remember that you might need to do some minor dismantling work to get to the parts you need. 

Find a Scrap Yard You Like

If you're going to start recycling scrap metal on a regular basis, find a scrap yard you like. You want to develop a good working relationship with the scrap yard workers. Once you develop the relationship, you'll be able to get better deals on your scrap. This is especially true if you bring in clean scrap metal. 

Know How to Present Your Scrap

Finally, if this is your first time visiting a scrap yard, know how to present your scrap. You'll need to have all your metal sorted and prepared before you get to the yard. First, make sure all your metal is sorted into groups. That saves time at the scrap yard. It also ensures that you get a fair price for your more valuable metal.  Second, if you're going to recycle scrap aluminum wire, strip the coating off first. That way, you don't need to sit there and strip it once you get there.

To learn more, contact a resource like Gutterman Iron & Metal Corp.

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13 July 2020

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