Tips for Scrappers in New England: Make Money Selling Metal

Scrap metal yards buy ferrous and non-ferrous metal from scrappers based on weight, so it only makes sense to collect as much as you can so you can make money selling scrap metal right here in Southeastern Massachusetts. There is a lot that you can do to boost your revenues and increase the amount of money that you make on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, but the driving force of being successful is to just get out there, collect and sell as much as you can. That being said, most of the tips for scrappers in Massachusetts will be about ways to collect more scrap metal in New Bedford and the surrounding New England area.

Tip #1 – Learn Your Metals

The number one tip that will help you to make more money selling scrap metal is to learn the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metal. Ferrous metals contain iron or alloys of iron. Most of the scrap metal that is collected and turned in across the country falls into this category. Because it is so commonly available and is usually found in large, heavy pieces, it is not worth as much as non-ferrous metals, which are often lighter, less common and more in-demand. Non-ferrous metals include aluminum, nickel, titanium and copper, as well as alloys of these metals, such as brass, which is an alloy of copper.

Tip #2 – Develop a Schedule

The best way to stay on top of your scrap metal collection is to develop a schedule or a route that will take you to the places where ferrous and non-ferrous metal are most commonly found in your area. If you collect scrap metal in New Bedford or any other large city area in Southeastern Massachusetts, it can be helpful to learn the trash pick-up schedule and begin checking neighborhoods accordingly. Spring cleaning and fall cleaning, as well as just prior to the winter holiday season, are common times that people clean out basements, garages, attics and other areas of their home, which can be ripe for collecting scrap metal. Keep a calendar and stick with it. Your diligence will pay off.

Tip #3 – Know the Value of Metals

You will make more money selling scrap metal if you know about the current ferrous and non-ferrous metal values. As the market fluctuates and the common factor of supply and demand drives up prices and then pushes them back down again, the prices of scrap metal right here in the South Coast region changes as well. Some scrappers collect a lot of metal and sell it by the ton, while others collect it by the truck full and sell it by the pound. However you collect scrap metal in New Bedford and sell it to your local Westport scrap metal facility, it is important to stay on top of the market values so you know when to sell and when to hold out for a better rate.

Tip #4 – Make Connections

Another great way to boost the amount of scrap metal that you are able to collect on a daily, weekly and monthly basis is to make connections. Think about where most scrap metal comes from and then go visit those business owners. Service oriented businesses, such as plumbers, HVAC repairmen, electricians, contractors, appliance and computer repair are all examples of companies that throw out a lot of ferrous and non-ferrous metal on a regular basis. Make connections with these companies to pick-up scrap metal on a weekly schedule, once a month or whenever they get a surplus of scrap metal that they want removed. Go door to door at various shops in town and make a solid business connection that can help to boost your scrap metal collection business.

Tip #5 – Advertise Locally and Beyond

If your goal is to collect scrap metal in New Bedford and the surrounding area, then it is important to advertise your scrap collection services right here in Southeastern Massachusetts. Craigslist, the Penny Saver, Freecycle and the local newspaper – even social media networks like Facebook and Twitter can help spread the word about your FREE services. What services will you offer? Many homeowners will buy new appliances and not know what to do with the old ones. A FREE appliance removal service is a great way to increase your scrap metal collection abilities – especially if you know how to separate the metals and maximize your return. A FREE junk collection service will also help you to pad your intake, especially if you note in your ad that you are especially looking for large metal pieces, appliances and other great sources of ferrous and non-ferrous metal.

Tip #6 – Bring Your Scrap Metal to Mid City Scrap in Westport, MA

If you live or work in the Southeastern Massachusetts or Rhode Island area, bring all of your scrap metal – ferrous and non-ferrous metal like – to Mid City Scrap Iron & Salvage, located in Westport. While you may collect scrap metal in New Bedford, out on the Cape or up in Fall River, you will increase your profits by bringing your collected materials to a scrap metal recycling facility that you can trust. With nearly 80 years of experience serving residential, commercial and industrial customers throughout the South Coast region, Mid City Scrap can help you boost your returns and make money selling scrap metal.

For more information about Mid City, visit our website and read about all the types of metal that we recycle at our facility. Learn about the process involved in bringing your materials to our scrap yard so you will be able to get in, unload and make bank without wasting a lot of time. Sorting out your ferrous and non-ferrous metals before you arrive and knowing the going rate for different metals on the day of sale will help you to make the most out of your scrap metal recycling business. For more tips for scrappers in Massachusetts, keep reading our blog. We have tons of tips, ideas and information to help you build a successful scrapping business.