how do people know which scrap catalytic converters are worth more?
ive been watching them on ebay and see some auctions get up in the hundreds while some barely reach 40. at first, I thought that size was the major factor in this, but then I started seeing that vary as well. and condition really doesnt matter because most of them just look like rusted chunks of crap. I've been going around my area removing junk cars outa people's yards and am listing the converters on ebay, but I wanted to figure out how I can guess about what people will pay in advance. I'd like to know when the auctions end if i'm getting a good amount or not. metal yards only pay flat rates of like 40-60 a piece, so the prices i'm talking about on ebay are completely different than actual metal yards.
The age old adage goes, "Something is only worth what somebody else is willing to pay."
The price you are seeing on EBay is a pretty decent price, especially if you are selling catalytic convertors.
The value in a catalytic convertor lies in its precious metal content. Inside the steel housing is a ceramic "honeycomb" that is coated in specialty alloys and metals. Some catalytic convertors, like aftermarket types, only have a little bit of nickel and as little PM as possible. But others, especially european cars, have honeycomb coated in Platinum and Rhodium, both of which are worth much more than gold.
Now, the value in the catalytic convertors lies in how easy it is for amateur and professional refiners to take out the honeycomb and refine it into its precious metals. Unfortunately, not many people know much about refining each individual type of CatCon, and the people who do don't want to let the secrets out.
Even the ones that are worth hundreds of dollars will only be bought off for you for maybe $150. Many scrap yards will end up selling on eBay when they in-between buyers.
If you want a more definite answer for each catcon, and don't consider eBay a good option, I suggest you check out http://www.adccatalytic.com and then call around to all of then bring in your catcons to every scrap yard within driving range (or at least call).
Good Luck Scrapping!
