| GRN Recycle Talk FAQ Answer |
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 98 14:20 WET DST From: FRIEDMAN.FRED@EPAMAIL.EPA.GOV (Fred Friedman) Subject: Re: Scrap Metal Buyers/Brokers Rip-off sellers (Richard)
June 30, 1998
Dear Richard,
I'm sympathetic. There appear to be in recycling as in life, the honest and the dishonest, the ethical and the unethical. Scrap yards should be different? Posted prices often have fine print or exceptions, and average prices don't reflect the 3 that you went to. However, average prices are all that's currently maintainable. If you get a poor quote from a broker or a price that's different than the quote you got over the phone (there can be valid reasons for this too), take your business elsewhere.
Can I imagine that the price differential between Montana and Denver for the same high value item was so substantial? Yes, I can. Transport makes all the difference.
However, the scrap prices I most refer to aren't in the Wall Street Journal but in the weekly regional edition of Recycling Times.
Do I think that a website showing what was actually paid for what materials at recycling yard or junkyards would work?
No. Too much maintenance and not enough verifiability.
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