Pleasant surprise at the scrap yard yesterday

'Took a load of scrap in yesterday afternoon. I called them a couple hours before leaving home to see when they closed and I casually asked "what's the price". The young girl on the other end of the phone said "$165.00 per ton". I thanked her and said I'd be there after-while. I get there, weigh, and pull around to unload. The yard inspector met me and casually said, "yeah, farm metal is $140.00 per ton". I told him what I'd been told and he said, "well, the girls are wrong". I'm thinking to myself "another example of being told one thing and them doing something else". Whatever.....I wasn't going to take it back home. The inspector left, but soon reappeared and asked me when I had been told $165? I told him just about 2 hours ago. He said, "you mean today"? I replied yes today. I then told him "Hey look, I'm really not trying to work you on the price, but that was what I was told and I think you should honor it. He said, "I'll go talk to the girls at the office.......I might be able to do something". I unload, pull across the scales and park my truck and trailer. THe inspector and the "big boss" met me in the office. We had to go over what all was said over the phone. They wanted to know if their office lady had explained that there was a difference in price for the various grades of steel. I told them "no, she did not, nor did I ask her that question either". The "big boss" says, "no problem, you'll get the $165 per ton". He went on to explain that they want to make sure their employees are giving out the correct information over the phone. He said, "this is a good training experience for our office help". I was impressed. I told him he and his crew should be commended. How about that....an honest scrap yard that wants to take care of their clients! It was "Advantage Metals" in Sedalia MO.

I think its something to appreciate, some who takes pride in their business, their dealings with customers, and exhibits good management practice with both customer and employee. She may have made a mistake or did not ask what category of metal you were bringing in. Some employees are new to the job in many places, and often times will mention it, which it turn may prompt a customer to be helpful, I try to be when possible, I think its rotten to be mean to someone new on the job, having experienced it numerous times myself.

The funny thing about this thread is that the title makes you think you found something at the scrapyard, (ie; tractor/implement etc.) well you did find something of value, good customer service !

Although in your case it was not needed, but several years ago, before asking someone a question over the phone, I made it a point to tell them my name and ask for theirs.
It really helps if there is a dispute and they ask "who did you talk to?" you have a name!

That is what I thought about the title of the post as well.

Can someone tell me why farm scrap would be devalued? A ton is a ton right

Might be that farm scrap has more non-metal material contained in it like soil or rust - just a guess.

Its all in whats in it. If its "mixed" with tin parts and heavy steel and some cast, like a an old grain drill, then the price goes down. The best price is the cleanest "sort" you can get, such as all cast, all heavy steel, or all tin. The best price in my area is clean cast iron and clean 2ft and under heavy steel or some call it "foundry melt".