How to Make Your Scrap Yard Visit Fast and Easy

Quick answer: To make your scrap yard visit fast and easy, bring a valid photo ID, sort your metal before you arrive, come Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, and follow the yard staff's directions at the scale. If you are selling a car, bring the title. Expect a weigh-in, unloading, a weigh-out, then payment at the office.

Going to a scrap yard for the first time can feel confusing. There are big machines, trucks lining up at the scale and piles of metal everywhere. The good news is that the process is simple once you know what to expect. Our family has run scrap yards in Florida since 1974, and this guide explains every step so your visit goes smoothly from the gate to getting paid.

Before you leave home

1. Check the hours

Our scrap yards in Bunnell, Holly Hill and Palatka are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. All yards are closed on weekends. At our Bunnell yard, the ferrous (steel) gate closes at 4:00 PM. Try not to arrive right before closing. You need time to weigh, unload and get paid. Mornings are often a great time to come.

2. Pick the right yard

Each of our locations is a little different. Before you load up, use our Yard Finder to ask which yard takes your items. You can also check addresses and directions on our locations page. Going to the right yard the first time saves you a second trip.

3. Sort your load

Sorting at home is the biggest time saver. Put steel and iron (metals a magnet sticks to) in one area of your truck. Put copper, brass, aluminum and stainless in buckets or bins. When your metal is already sorted, the yard can grade and unload it quickly. Sorted metal also usually pays more. Read our guide on how to maximize your scrap metal payout for tips.

4. Load your vehicle smart

Put the bins of valuable non-ferrous metal where they are easy to reach, like near the tailgate. Put heavy steel items toward the front of the bed or trailer. Strap everything down so nothing falls out on the road. Florida law requires loads to be secured, and loose metal on the highway is dangerous.

5. Remove items we cannot accept

Some things are not allowed in a scrap load. Take them out at home so you are not turned away:

• Sealed or closed tanks, drums and containers
• Propane tanks and compressed gas cylinders that still have valves
• Gasoline, oil, paint and other liquids or chemicals
• A/C units or refrigerators that still contain freon
• Household trash, wood, tires and plastic

If you are not sure about an item, ask our Yard Finder before you come.

What to bring with you

• A valid government-issued photo ID. This is required by Florida law for every scrap sale. A driver's license or state ID card works.
• Your vehicle title if you are selling a junk car. Cars with a title are paid in cash. Cars without a title may still be accepted under Florida's derelict vehicle rules and are paid by check.
• Gloves and closed-toe shoes. You may help unload, and scrap has sharp edges. See our scrap yard safety guide.

What happens when you arrive

Step 1: Pull onto the scale

For larger loads, you will drive your truck onto a big truck scale. The yard records the full weight of your vehicle and the scrap. This is called the gross weight. Stay in your vehicle unless staff ask you to step out.

Smaller loads of non-ferrous metal, like a few buckets of copper or aluminum, are often weighed on a smaller platform scale instead. Staff will tell you where to go.

Step 2: Unload where staff direct you

Next, you drive to the unloading area. Staff will show you where steel goes and where non-ferrous metal goes. Follow their directions closely. Large machines like cranes and loaders work in these areas, so always watch where you walk and stay close to your vehicle.

Step 3: Weigh out

After your truck is empty, you drive back onto the scale. This empty weight is called the tare weight. The difference between the gross weight and the tare weight is the weight of your scrap. That is how the yard knows exactly how much metal you sold.

Step 4: Get paid at the office

Take your ticket to the office or cashier window. Show your photo ID. Florida law also requires us to take a thumbprint and signature for scrap sales. These steps protect you and help stop metal theft in our community.

Most customers are paid in cash. If your payout is above the Florida cash limit, we pay with a company check. Junk cars sold with a title are paid in cash, and cars without a title are paid by check. If we tow your car, the towing cost is taken out of the payout.

Tips to make your visit even faster

• Come early in the day. You will have plenty of time to finish before closing.
• Have your ID ready before you reach the office window.
• Keep bins light enough to lift. A 5-gallon bucket full of copper can get very heavy.
• Bring a helper for large or heavy loads.
• Keep kids and pets at home or inside the vehicle at all times.
• Ask questions. Our staff are happy to explain grades and how your scrap was weighed.

Commercial loads and roll-off containers

If you run a business that creates a lot of scrap, such as a contractor, HVAC company or manufacturer, you may not need to haul it yourself. We offer roll-off containers and scrap pick-up for commercial accounts only. Learn more on our commercial scrap services page.

Selling a junk car instead?

Junk car sales work a little differently. You can drive the car in, or we can tow it for you. Bring your title and photo ID. Visit our junk cars page to learn more about how we buy cars.

Your scrap yard visit checklist

1. Visit Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
2. Use the Yard Finder to choose the right location.
3. Sort your metal and remove items we cannot accept.
4. Secure your load with straps or a tarp.
5. Bring your photo ID (and title for a car).
6. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring gloves.
7. Weigh in, unload, weigh out, and get paid.

With a little planning, your trip to John's Famous Auto Parts & Metals can take just a few minutes. Sort it, load it, bring your ID, and we will take care of the rest.