This rating is based on customer reviews, inventory size, pricing, and service quality
Gerdau Metals Recycling - Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN scores 81/100. Overall sentiment is upbeat: many praise friendly, hands-on staff, a clean, organized yard, and quick in-and-out with minimal waits. Strengths include fair steel/shred pricing and helpful guidance for first-timers. Common complaints: lower payouts on some non‑ferrous items, more weigh‑ins and an in‑person payout hold, occasional scale concerns, unclear directions/speaker issues, and a few reports of rudeness (one alleging discrimination). No posted price list, and they don’t sell parts. Experiences vary but trend positive.
What clients say about Gerdau Metals Recycling - Chattanooga in Chattanooga (TN)
Semi driver here. First off the people that work here are great, very nice. There is one day driver that is contracted with them that has a very bad attitude. The broker lied about this load, they said it was not scrap and it ended up being scrap and the place it delivers to has a very long wait to unload. Pick up at your own risk.
I give this place a one star review due to the staff is rude. There’s no direction on what to do when you get there. They do not help unload and we’ll sit there and watch you unload it. I came with super heavy equipment and my wife and I had to unload all of it . This is the first time I have ever been to a scrapyard that does not help unload. I would definitely find a different location .
Review of Gerdau Scrap Yard (Visited September 29, 2025)
I’ve only been here once so far, bringing in a mixed load of metals—alternators, starters, batteries, and both long and short pieces of steel.
When I arrived, the first worker told me everything over 4 feet would just go into the shred pile, which paid $7 per hundredweight ($0.07/lb). He said shorter pieces were worth slightly more, around $8 per hundredweight ($0.08/lb).
After unloading my non-ferrous metals inside the building and weighing them, I had to circle back to the entrance to weigh in again before unloading the steel. At the shred pile, a different worker came out to help me. He explained that about half of my metal was “short” steel worth $11 per hundredweight ($0.11/lb), not just shred. He was very helpful—he even assisted me in separating and unloading my trailer, which I’ve never had happen at a scrap yard before.
The process went like this:
1. Weigh in.
2. Unload non-ferrous metals.
3. Weigh in again for steel.
4. Unload shred steel.
5. Weigh in again.
6. Unload short steel.
It took more back-and-forth than I’m used to, but the staff were friendly and hands-on.
Price comparison with a competitor (9/11/2025) vs Gerdau (9/29/2025):
Alternators: Gerdau $0.30/lb | Competitor $0.53/lb
Starters: Gerdau $0.22/lb | Competitor $0.42/lb
Steel (shred): Gerdau $0.07/lb | Competitor $0.09/lb
Steel (short): Gerdau $0.11/lb | Competitor $0.09/lb
On my particular load, Gerdau’s steel payout came out about the same (just $2 less), but I would’ve made around $74 more on alternators and starters at the competitor. The competitor also only required one weigh-in/out, and mailed me a check for copper wire after the state-mandated waiting period. With Gerdau, it’s a five-day wait and you have to return in person to pick up your cash.
Overall:
Staff were friendly and very helpful with unloading.
Steel prices were competitive on short pieces.
Payouts on alternators and starters were significantly lower.
Process required more weigh-ins and site visits compared to competitors.
If convenience and highest price are your priority, a competitor may be better. But if you want hands-on help and fair steel pricing, Gerdau is still a solid option.
Very rude to my Black Husband & daughter didn’t even barley speak to them trying to sell an item . I will be contacting corporate office about this behavior
Staff was very friendly and helpful the only thing I don't like about it is they don't sell anything if it comes off the trailer or truck it's theirs and you don't know what you're going to get until you unload and go in the office
Did a test .. took dirty brass to this place and was given .79cents a pound .. went to a competitor. The Same day and got 1.32 a pound. So.. don't thank I'll be going back.
Used to be the best place in the area with the most competitive prices, but lately I’ve noticed that their overall scales seem to be a bit off and consequently do not accurately portray your overall payload! I’ve caught this mistake twice! I now request a supervisor to weigh me!! Be careful!!
The BEST PLACE IN THE TRI STATE TO GET PAID FOR METAL WEIGHT !! There in never a Wait Which is GREAT !
And THEY DONT DISCRIMINATE from GOLD , COPPER , SHRED , or BRASS which ever Your taste - THEY HAVE GREAT STAFF AND THE BEST RATES !!!
First time scrapping in several years, had almost 2 tons that had built up over time from my shop. They were all very friendly, helpful, and overall made it very easy. Their yard is clean, easy to pull in and back up, weigh out and go on your way. Highly recommend them.
This company is one of if not the best in the business. Every one of my experiences have been nothing but excellent! You can tell the culture of a company by the satisfaction of the customers and the employees. Thank you Gerdau for all you do.
I had a choice of locations in Chattanooga to go to for the first time and I went here based completely on Google reviews. I'm extremely happy to say all of the four and five star comments were spot-on.
I'm not sure if I've had friendlier service anywhere and that was before during AND after the stupid questions I had to ask as a first-timer.
Metal prices fluctuate which is why you don't see them steadily posted but this business does the best job of at least trying, and because I separated my metals by hand before going in I received twice as much as I expected.
A little tough to spot from the street but I won't forget it anytime soon as I'll definitely be going back there.
Top Notch, and I see no reason to go anywhere else going forward.
This is the most reputable place by far. I have been to all of them. They are always helpful and super nice. Also pay better than the rest. This is the only place I go now and I recommend them over all the rest. Thank you! This business still has what all the rest are lacking.... Good ethics!
Everyone was very friendly and helpful. They helped us unload and figure out the way to get the most for my scrap metal. I will always bring my scrap metal here.
This seems to be the best and fairest place to take scrap metal in the Hamilton County area. They are usually paying a little bit higher then most places, and they are very honest and detailed about their pricing scales. The only drawback that I have noticed is that while most of their staff is fairly friendly, they rarely offer to help unload anything, and usually only give very short, vague answers to any questions.
this place sucks staff was rude and didnt seem like he wanted service at all cussed us up and down as he went back into the office after findin out what we were there for
5907 Lee Hwy, Chattanooga, TNTruck repair shop
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