To Sell or Scrap?

To Sell or to Scrap?

Most scrap items, like appliances, I have mentioned before have intrinsic value in the form of their metal bits and pieces. They also have extrinsic value in the form of their functionality, like a microwave heating up food or drink placed inside of it. The extrinsic value is also slightly but wholly(unless it's retail priced) reflexive of the labor and overhead involved in making the item a functional and valued piece. The intrinsic value is, no more and no less, the market value of the metal to a scrap yard. The disparity in price is when you must decide, to sell or to scrap? 

To help answer this question, I have created a few guidelines to at least try and help you decide which is easiest and best for you.

When to Sell

Starting off when to sell, I'll define what I mean. Scrapping and selling are actually similar but different. Selling will be the item, say an old refrigerator, is taken in to a pawn shop or sold to a relative/neighbor/friend/etc. in working condition for its extrinsic value. I say working condition because it is far more valuable when it is working. Here are a few guidelines to check off when selling vs. scraping:

•  Value: Is the item worth the effort to fix it, if it is broken? Will the effort justify the money and time? Unless it works alright, the answer here, yes or no, will answer sell or scrap.

• Demand: Does someone already want it and you can fix it up for a quick flip or is "everyone" into a newer, better, cheaper alternative? The menagerie of small and large appliances at your local pawn shop may help you answer if you can sell that old fridge and the internet will help give you a starting price.

   

Scrapping

Scrapping an item, like a fridge, is taking it to either a scrap yard or selling the METAL for its market value to another person. This is the intrinsic value. The condition of the item is ineffectual to the price. A few things to consider for scrapping are:

•  Condition: An item that is in crappy condition, beat up, rusted and not working is more than likely scrap. Look at the item and ask yourself, would you buy that? Can it be fixed up quick and cheap? That is your answer to sell or scrap. 

• Transport: Can you easily transport the item effectively and safely to the scrap yard or to whomever wants it? This is important as safety and proper transport is an all important factor when scrapping. 

I hope this brief piece helps you with a few considerations in deciding whether to sell or scrap.