January 2004

Auto Recyclers Struggle to Locate Scarce Equipment

Mention eBay to just about anyone these days and chances are, they’ll tell you it’s a great place to find all sorts of interesting things for sale. The popular on-line trading community offers a host of useful services to bring buyers and sellers together from around the world.

With the strength of the North American scrap market lately, eBay has become a more popular place to find things you don’t typically think of finding there. Things like auto crushers for example.

“It’s a sign of the times,” said Jeff Hebbert, sales manager of OverBuilt, Inc., the Huron, South Dakota based manufacturer of auto crushers and related recycling equipment. “Most manufacturers are booked out several months on delivery of new crushers and used ones are nearly non-existent,” he added.

“Considering market conditions today, it makes sense. Auto recyclers that need a crusher are willing to compete with more buyers and they are willing to look for equipment much further away than before. Transportation costs to move a crusher are much less significant considering scrap prices right now,” said Hebbert.

Recently, an OverBuilt crusher on eBay sold for $92,601, a premium of roughly 10% over estimated market value just a short time ago. A new machine similarly equipped would list for $115,900 today.

“It really is a great time to have a used crusher for sale,” he said.