Why are Scrap Metal Prices Lower This Year?

If you sold some scrap metal last year for more than what you just sold some scrap metal for this year, there is a good reason why your profits are less. Continue reading to learn some possible causes for the drop in the scrap metal market, as well as, where you can still get a fair payout for your scrap here in Indiana.

Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers 1-888-586-5322
Indianapolis Scrap Metal Buyers 1-888-586-5322

Fluctuating Scrap Metal Prices

Back in the day, China’s economy was in the midst of rapid economic growth, which put steel, copper, aluminum and other metals in high demand. As a supplier of such metals, the U.S. was doing well in their own national metal markets. More currently, China’s growth has slowed down, which subsequently has caused the price of scrap metal to plummet over the last few years.

But China’s economy is not the only reason why scrap metal prices have dropped in the last 2 years. Other factors, such as time, market demand, and stock exchange price also affect how the values of scrap metal change. For this reason, what you would have been paid for your scrap metal years ago is much less now, in 2019.

How to Get the Most for Your Scrap Metal

To make sure you get the fairest deal for your scrap metal, be sure to choose a reputable scrapper in your city. There are many places that will take your scrap metal, and most even pay cash, but it is important to choose a trustworthy and experienced company that specializes in salvaging scrap metal.

Contact a local Indianapolis scrap metal buyer who has been in business for many years and retains a good-standing reputation among past clientele. They are likely to do the best business in terms of flexibility, convenience, honesty, and profitability.

Once you have chosen a reputable scrap metal recycler, just follow call the office and request a free, over-the-phone estimate. Upon accepting their offer, schedule a time for them to pick up your materials. They should come right to you and pay you on the spot. If they cannot do this for you, they are probably not the most established or thriving company in your area.

If you are unsure about accepting the offer, ask them for their location details and a time to have your items assessed on-site. They should have innovative weight scales to provide accurate measurements. You will need to drive your materials to them in this case.

Where to Begin

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell scrap metal for cash in Central and Southern Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, including junk cars, automotive parts, appliances, construction equipment, motorized farming equipment, and more. Request a free estimate for your scrap metal, today.

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322

What are Base Metals?

Base metals are basically any common metal that is not a noble metal nor precious metal. Still confused? Not to worry; continue reading to learn what all of these terms mean, as well as, some examples of each.

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We Buy Scrap Metal! 1-888-586-5322

Base Metals

As mentioned, a base metal is any common metal that cannot be categorized as noble or precious. Silver may be an exception to this rule, as it is sometimes used as a base metal for gold and platinum coatings. Furthermore, they are generally the most readily available and inexpensive metals. Base metals are also more prone to corrosion, oxidation, and tarnishing. Examples of base metals include lead, copper, tin, aluminum, and zinc. Brass and bronze are alloys of these metals, making them base metals as well.

Another interesting fact about the properties of base metals is that they produce hydrogen gas when diluted with hydrochloric acid. This practice is primarily used for galvanizing applications.

Base metals have a second definition as being the primary metallic element in an alloy. For instance, the base metal of bronze is copper. Similarly, the term base metal can take on the definition as the metal core underlying a coating. For example, steel may be the base metal of galvanized steel. And as mentioned, silver is sometimes coated in gold or rhodium, making it the base metal of those commodities.

Precious and Noble Metals

Precious metals are rare, naturally-occurring elemental metals with high economic value. Throughout history, they were used as currency. Even today, there are still sold and traded as investments, as well as, among private buyers and sellers. Examples include gold, silver, platinum, tungsten, zirconium, cobalt, palladium, rhodium, osmium, and iridium.

Noble metals are a grouping of metals that resist oxidation and corrosion in moist or humid air. Common examples in order of increasing atomic number include ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridium, platinum, and gold. However, there are multiple “list” for noble metals, as some contain mercury while other may include rhenium. Some lists include gold, silver and copper, but leave out all others.

How to Profit From Scrap Metal in Indiana

Call Garden City Iron & Metal at 1-888-586-5322 to sell scrap metal in Indiana. We pay cash on the spot for all metal and metal commodities, including vehicles, car parts, appliances, construction equipment, farming equipment, and much more! Collect all the scrap metal you can, and then sell it to us for the highest profit in town! Request a free estimate or information, today.

Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322
Garden City Iron and Metal 1-888-586-5322