This rating is based on customer reviews, inventory size, pricing, and service quality
Recent reviews of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc in Birmingham, AL are mixed with a negative tilt: 53/100. Many cite long waits (2–4 hours), rude or unhelpful scale staff, inconsistent line order, early gate closures, and pricing/scale disputes (copper grading, fees). A few praise fast loading/unloading, friendly service, and top-dollar offers—especially on larger, prepared loads—highlighting fast service and good prices for some. Yard flow is hit-or-miss; hours feel short. Little info on inventory/parts. Best for bulk loads; small sellers often leave unhappy.
Came here to turn in some used copper tips and nozzles. The two guys they had working the scales were not knowledgeable at all about copper. They kept telling me it was brass and then tried to say it was recovery copper meaning they dropped the price from $3 a pound to .10 cents a pound, straight rip off. I have been coming here for years and now since they have been bought out the staff doesn't know a thing about metal or welding. Don't go here. Try the recycling place in Calera much better, no problems at all.
from driver perspective, absolutely horrible wait time to load , I went to 2 locations on in ATL other in B’Ham Al both took FOREVER to load spent 3.5 hours at pick 1 ( only truck there , pick 2 took 2.5 hours if you want to waste a day go for it otherwise RUN AWAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friendly but lazy. First recycle place I’ve been to that didn’t want excruciate it aluminum for steel price. First place to ever tell me it would be “to much” for them to take it apart…
Rude employees. You can tell that they are miserable. And they want to take their frustration out on you. It took almost 4 hours to get loaded into a dry van.
Don't bother coming here the employees are rude. And unless you are in a semi truck or friends with the guy directing people in you'll wait hours before you can unload. Rather than go in order of arrival he had us wait and took 8 trucks that pulled after us before letting us in. There is another scrap yard further away just use that one
Been coming here for 10 years and today I was informed they got bought out. A 2 hour ordeal to drop a small trailer load of scrap while being watched like a hawk on what metal products I am disposing of and where. The new employees are super rude and said it’s only going to get worse there. Last time using them unfortunately. Have been a key part of my business for 10 years, but good things must come to an end.
Terrible terrible both scale masters think they own the place lately been having to wait 30 mins for service I mean really come on now who does that. I've been a customer for 20 years and I am truly disappointed in the service Ive got this year. And it's it's not just me another customer had the same complaints and another. And then the other scale guy tells me I'm closing my gate in ten minutes at 300 pm a whole hour before closing. This isn't acceptable at all.
Will not be back here I had had bare bright copper wire and they gave me #2 copper price because they said it was to thing! I had the same exact thing a couple months ago and was at a different scrap yard 10 minutes from schnitzer and they gave me bare bright copper wire prices!! NOT #2! The only reason I went to schnitzer this time is because their bare bright copper wire prices were better than anybody else but I ended up getting screwed and cut short by about 300 dollars! I will be sure to tell everybody I know that scrapes to not come here! Even another guy that was there selling scrap said that was wrong
I've been dealing with Schnizer steel industry for a few years now"on and off", their professional services providers treat their customers with the upmost respect and they are always eager to assist any customer ,and the transactions are fair and swift. I get five ⭐ treatment every visitl.
That's just called scale of business. They bundle all the tiny scraps you and others bring into train car-sized loads to sell to the end buyer. If they gave you the price that the end buyer gives them, they could not stay in business. Scrapping is rarely worth the time or the money. I've used Schnitzer many times with good results, but only do it when I have a truckload. It's closer than the dump, and I get a little money back too.
3401 Powell Ave S, Birmingham, ALTowing service
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