OT?: Trying to get rid of microwave trays

[ilyaz]

This might be off-topic, but since it is related to metal scrapping, here we go...

I am trying to sell a few glass trays that I've collected while scrapping microwaves:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280673414292&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

So far I only got one bid, so I am wondering if I am doing something wrong. How much do you think this lot is worth to someone who either repairs ovens or might sell these one at a time?

Thanks

[hobo finds]

I have saved a few and use them as serving trays for parties as they are a nice size and you can display stuff nicely on them. Good luck selling them!

[OldPeddler]

If you want to make the most from them you must record the MAKE & MODEL numbers. They just don't have much melt value.

[ilyaz]

If you want to make the most from them you must record the MAKE & MODEL numbers. They just don't have much melt value.

Yes, this was my mistake: I did not record them. I am hoping that the markings on at least some of them + diameter would be enough to identify what models they fit.

[Mossy]

Are they glass or ceramic?

[ilyaz]

Are they glass or ceramic?

Hmm, I have always assumed the trays are made of glass. Would ceramic trays look like glass? If not then they are all glass.

[Mossy]

I think the clear, "glass" trivets (plates to put hot things on) are ceramic, and they are clear.

I was thinking they might not have a melt or salvage value, being too big a hassle to melt.

Odd, they should get dropped more often than the microwave burns out. There /should/ be a market for replacements.

[natsb88]

Yep, need to know the make and model. List them individually with the make and model number in the description, otherwise people have no way to find them when searching. Most people are looking for a specific tray and have no use for a mixed lot. I sold one from a Kenmore microwave for $25 - $30 a couple years ago.

[psi]

That's interesting if they are typically ceramic, I would have guessed pyrex. We use one as a pizza pan, maybe not ideal for the purpose but it does the trick.

[Dr. Cadmium]

The tray for a microwave is often worth more than the rest of the unit is worth scrapped - but you must use the exact part number when listing. Always record brands and model numbers before you pull the tray, otherwise they can be near impossible to identify later. There are a lot of subtle differences in design that make similar looking trays incompatible.

Also, sometimes if you look up a tray from microwave model X, a manufacturer will recommend tray model B as a replacement. Note that this does not mean that tray B is what comes stock with the unit! Sometimes with microwaves the replacement tray is produced to be compatible with a variety of models and is smaller in diameter. This means that if you list the tray you pulled as that particular replacement part you could wind up shipping a tray that doesn't fit.

Whenever you sell a replacement part, it should be sold at a fixed price - unless it's a very rare or collectible part.

Reason: when someone is looking for a replacement part, they want it right away. No one wants to wait a week for an auction to end, only to be outbid at the last minute - they've wasted a week of their time and they still can't use their microwave. You'll get better prices for parts selling them at fixed prices, but sometimes you'll have to wait a couple of months (assuming you list correctly and price items competitively). This also goes for other kinds of parts: cars, appliances, TVs, etc.

As scrap, glass for cooking applications is usually not cost-effective to recycle.

[ilyaz]

Thanks, Doc, I'll definitely remember this in future. Since I can't retrace the makes/model of the trays that I have, I'll just let this auction end with whatever bids I get -- I am not even sure I can do anything to prevent someone with a $.99 bid from winning. But I'll definitely be smarter from now on.

[cesariojpn]

For whats it's worth, i've written them off as a $2 donation to the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters.