If you live in or near Oakland and you’ve got some scrap metal to offload, don’t just kick it to the curb—take it to a scrapper and get paid a portion of its worth.
But how are you supposed to know how much that is?
Figuring out the value of a given kind and quantity of scrap metal can be tricky. Here are some tips for reviewing scrap metal prices in Oakland, CA, and ensuring you receive your fair share.
Pricing Scrap Metals
Unwanted metals aren’t the kind of thing you just chuck in a dumpster. Not only do most metals require special disposal methods, but by simply throwing them away, you're depriving yourself of a chance to earn a cut of the metal’s inherent value.
It’s therefore essential to get an accurate sense of what your materials are worth before you hand them over to a scrapper who only has their own best interest in mind.
Searching Scrap Metal Prices Online
The easiest way to find out how much your scrap metal is worth in Oaktown is to run a quick internet search.
Type in “scrap metal prices in Oakland, CA” to pull up a list of resources outlining the average prices of different metals. Most of these websites allow users to filter results by city, state, or zip code, making it a cinch to evaluate various metals around Alameda County.
Find the metal you want to get rid of and estimate the weight you have in your possession to learn approximately how much you stand to collect for it. Sites like ScrapMonster and ScrapMetalPricer tell you precisely how much your scrap metal is worth per pound, as reflected by current market conditions in the East Bay region. Many areas also include enlightening information about why some metals are priced higher than others.
Scrap metal price-checking websites are the easiest way to assign a number value to your junk metals. It’s a good idea to consult at least one before working with an Oakland scrapper to ensure that you don’t get lowballed.
Deal With a Scrapper Directly
Another way to get information on the earning potential of your scrap metal is to get in touch with a scrapper near you. Scrappers are businesses that make money by buying up discarded scrap materials and selling them to other companies.
You can try reaching out to these reputable scrap metal recyclers in the area:
- Schnitzer Steel on Walter Ave
- Aaron Metals on 105th Ave
- CASS on Peralta St
- Standard Iron & Metals on San Leandro Blvd
Some scrappers offer fixed percentages for consigned metals. Others might be willing to haggle a bit. The only way to find out what a certain scrapper’s payout policy is to ask them. This is also an excellent time to request a professional estimate concerning the going rate of your scrap metal.
And don’t just stop at one scrapper. Call multiple companies and compare the rates they give you to determine which one will get you the most funds in Oakland.
Weighing Cars and Other Large Items
What about cars, appliances, and other heavy-duty pieces of equipment? These sorts of items typically contain lots of different kinds of metal, and venturing anything other than a ballpark guess about their weight is all but impossible.
In this case, the best thing to do is check the item itself or refer to the literature that came with it.
If it’s a vehicle you want to trade in, open the driver’s side door and locate the information sticker on the inside of the jamb. This sticker should list the vehicle’s curb weight or how much it weighs without anyone or anything in it. If it doesn’t, you’ll almost certainly find it in the owner’s manual.
Assuming your beater still runs, you also have the option of cruising down to a weigh station, truck stop, or scrapyard to have it weighed. Most of these places will charge you somewhere between $5 and $20 to weigh your vehicle for you. Afterward, you’ll have a much better idea of how much you can expect to receive for the raw materials.
As for appliances, manufacturers ordinarily include the weight of their products in the manuals or spec sheets they come packaged with it. If you don’t have either of these documents handy or can’t find what you’re looking for in them, see if you can search the item’s weight online.
Don’t Settle for Less
If you’re looking to swap your junk car for cash, Junk Car Medics can make the process quick and painless. Give us a call at (855) 587-0227 and see for yourself! Our company buys junk cars for cash in Oakland and other parts of the Bay Area and guarantees some of the most competitive rates in the industry.
