Copper Prices Swing Widly

Nonferrous metal prices are all over the board these days and tend to change rapidly --often several times each day.

Scrap metal collectors and scrap metal processors are keeping a wary eye especially on the price of used copper, brass and aluminum.  Daily price variations swung upward yesterday by .10 cents per pound and then downward by .11 cents today.  Long gone are the days of setting monthly --even weekly, prices for ferrous and nonferrous metals.

Smart scrap metal dealers are market savvy and take the pulse of world inventories several times each day.  "The difference between success and mediocrity in the scrap metal business," said Lily Shoop-Stubblefield, CEO of Stubblefield Salvage and Recycling, LLC in Walla Walla, WA, "is finding and nurturing long-term partnerships with buyers, sellers, haulers and preparers."

Our regional scrap metal processing center is working hard to form strong relationships in our community.  We are interdependent upon other members of our industry with similar goals and high levels of integrity.  Our goal is to inform our customers and assist them in learning how to get top dollar for their scrap metals."

It is impossible to always know when is the best time to sell copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, iron, tin, batteries or any of the other scrap metal products, especially in a time of uncertain economies.  Although scrap metal prices have recovered slightly from their low of September/October 2008, commodity markets are far from predictable.

One approach to unstable scrap metal markets --one we practice-- is same day processing and marketing.  This method may not work for everyone, but as long as there are cash markets for scrap metals, it can increase profits and lessen risk for customers and partners.

Keep it moving and share the wealth.