American Scrap Co. at 1635 E Madison Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313

The price on that 316 steel — a quarter per pound — was less than half what everyone else was charging. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it.

You guys are a joke. I brought in 700 pounds of electric motors—all three types you claimed to buy—and what did I get? Four cents a pound. Four. Cents. For *all* of them. That’s $28 for a week’s worth of work. Keep your money. I’m taking my motors back and you can keep your “deal.” ---

Stopped by on a Saturday morning and it was a breeze—no waiting, no crowds, just smooth sailing. The guys at the dock were on it, helped me unload fast, and actually took the time to answer my questions without rushing me. Honest, helpful, and no nonsense. Exactly what you want from a junkyard. ---

First time ever selling scrap, and I had no clue what I was doing. The ladies working there didn’t make me feel stupid for asking basic questions—they actually took the time to explain the difference between stuff like copper and brass, which parts are worth stripping, and which ones aren’t. That kind of help is rare, especially when you’re a woman who’s spent years in trades and still gets side-eyed for knowing how to swing a hammer. The one who helped me? Total badass. No nonsense, just straight-up knowledge, and I respect that. Even the new guy seemed to be catching on fast—good energy all around.

Been using this place for years, and I’ve never once felt like I got screwed on scrap prices. Call ahead, check the daily rates, and you’ll know exactly what you’re getting. The crew moves fast—no wasted time—and they don’t mess around. If you’ve got your metals sorted, you’re in and out in no time. Even if you don’t, they’ll help you figure it out. ---

Took me a minute to spot the place because the trees were blocking the sign, but once I found it, there was already a line of people waiting by the door. Marshall got me in and out quick—weighed everything fast, gave me a fair price, and I walked out with cash in hand. One tip: if you’ve got copper, make sure it’s clean. Even a little paint on it drops the payout, so scrub it first if you want the best deal. Simple as that.

Dustin and his crew saved us a ton of time and hassle. We drove 650 miles from Colorado with 3,000 pounds of e-scrap, and honestly, I wasn’t sure we’d find a place that’d take it all. But they bought *everything*—even the stuff we figured was junk, like old HD and DVD drives, and those cheap PSU boards. Then Dustin spent extra time sorting through a dozen boxes of motherboards, picking out the good ones for more cash. We walked out with $2,200—way more than we expected. Worth every mile of the drive. ---

This place is the real deal—family-run, no BS, and the guys actually care. If you’ve got your metals separated, they’ll get you in and out fast. But if you’re new to this and don’t have it sorted? No problem. They’ll walk you through it, no attitude, no rush. Always fair, always helpful. Can’t ask for better than that.