Behr Iron & Metal at 1100 Seminary St, Rockford, IL 61104

I’ve dealt with bad customer service before, but this place takes the cake. The guys working there act like they’re doing you a favor just by existing. The dispatcher is even worse—she’s got a permanent scowl like you’re wasting her time just by breathing. Their sign says they’re open until 4, but good luck finding them open past 3:30. They’ll shut down early, then act like *you’re* the problem for showing up when they’re supposed to be open. My girlfriend, who’s seven months pregnant, got screamed at because we dared to pull in five minutes after they decided to close. They treated us like we were idiots for not reading their minds. The other recycling spots are farther away, but at least they don’t lie about their hours or treat people like garbage. I’d rather drive an extra 20 minutes than deal with this nonsense again. ---

Hands down the best spot for recycling metals in the area. Prices are solid, and the people running the non-ferrous buyback actually help you unload your stuff instead of just pointing and walking away. The Rockford location of Behr Iron and Metals doesn’t mess around—they make it easy, and the service is top-notch. Worth the trip if you’ve got scrap to sell. ---

On September 19 around 1:30 PM, I was driving westbound on Highway 20 near the Jeep plant when a truck—number 83—blew past me. The driver wasn’t even using a tarp, and scrap metal was flying everywhere off the back. Dude was speeding like he was late for his own funeral, kicking up debris all over the road. Could’ve caused a wreck or flattened a bunch of tires. I’ve got pictures to prove it—tarp wasn’t secured at all. Wish I could’ve uploaded the video, but the site won’t let me. Someone needs to say something before this idiot hurts someone. ---

Why even bother posting hours if you’re just gonna close early? I didn’t need to drop anything off—I just had a quick question. But when I got there at 3:40, the phone went unanswered, and after knocking for ten minutes, some short woman stuck her head out the office door and *yelled* that they were closed. I yelled back that I only needed to ask something, but she turned around and walked off like I wasn’t even there. A couple of workers saw me standing at the door but acted like I was invisible. Real professional. If you’re gonna cut hours, at least answer the phone or put up a sign. Nobody’s got time for this runaround.

Dropped off a load here last week, and the directions were straightforward—just take I-90 to I-39, hop on US-20 west, then exit onto IL-2 north toward Morgan. Turn right twice (once onto Morgan, then again onto Seminary) to avoid that weight-restricted bridge on Seminary. The place is split on both sides of the street, so you’ll see the scales right away on the right. They told me exactly where to go and what to do next. The staff was actually decent—no attitude, no wasted time. Unloaded fast, no hassle. Only downside? No overnight parking, but that’s fair. Would use them again if I’m in the area. ---