The Truth Behind Scrap Metal Pricing
Scrap metal prices depend on a few different factors including metal type, location, quantity of scraped metal and, for the most, current market value for specific metal. This means the price you get paid will depend on what you are selling, where you are selling, how much you are selling and how much specific material is worth once refined.
Scrap Metal Type
Scrap metal can be broken down into many different types of metals. There is copper, led, stainless steel, aluminum… and the list goes on and on. Each of these categories can then be further sub-categorized into specific types of each metal. Different category of scrapped metal yields a different price and the way your metal gets categorized depends on the scrap yard you are at.
Geographical Location
Just like any other commodity, price depends on location. Prices will be highest in areas there is the most competition. Prices will differ if you are on one side of the state or one side of the country depending on the competition around you.
Quantity of Scrap Metal
This factor is fairly self-explanatory, the more metal you have the more it is worth. Although there are tactics to get the most out of your quantity of scrap metals, for the most part the more scrap metal you have the more money you will receive.  
Current Spot Metal Prices
Current market value of metals plays a large role in determining the prices of scrap metals. A lot of factors go into what the current market value for metals is. It depends on the world metal market and what is happening in the economy at that moment in time. Spot prices are the prices that newly refined ore and scrap is currently being sold for. The more money the scrap metal is worth once refined the more money you can hope to get for it.

There are many elements that determine scrap metal prices, if you are not sure how much your scrap metal is worth do not hesitate to call us or stop by our location in Everett, MA to get professional advice or quick evaluation.

By
Jill McVey

Life Hacks From Experienced Scrappers
Do you have some metals laying around for no reason or maybe looking for some quick cash? Scraping metal might be the perfect solution for you. We want to help you get every extra buck out of your scrap metal. Here, we give you few simple tricks that experienced scrappers developed over many years of daily routine.

• Stainless steel Vs. Aluminum Test:  by simply scratching the surface of the metal you will see the difference immediately. Aluminum will scratch very easily and stainless steel will take much more effort to do so. This will help you to sort your metals beforehand and get more value for them.
  
• Searching for Carbide:  Carbide is a metal commonly found in drill bits that can get you a good deal of money when bringing to a scrap metal yard. Many machine shops will use these drill bits and tips for cutting blades due to their ability to cut better and longer.
  

• Magnetic Broom: A magnetic broom is a great investment if you are an active scrapper. Investing in a $100-$150 tool you can use to sweep the ground and pull out the small hunks of metal or screws that are left alone on the ground.
  
• Warm Wire in the Sun: During the summer, the hot sun can warm the plastic around the wire and help you strip it off easier. If the wire is cool or even room temperature it can be difficult to strip off the plastic. Be aware, if you leave it in direct sun light for too long it can melt the plastic to the wire and make it dirty.
  
• Steel Sinks: Stainless Steel is one of the toughest items to scrap and to get a clean price.  When it comes to stainless steel sinks get a chisel and make sure all of the steel/rubber and other garbage is off the sinks. With a chisel and hammer you can get the steel ring off the sinks. That simple trick can help to upgrade your scrap and its price at least 3x.
  
• Clean your metals: Cleaning your metals beforehand can save the scrap metal yard a good deal of work,  this savings is then passed onto you in the form of extra cash. Working with your scrap yard is a win-win deal for everybody.
  

By:
Jill McVey