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Trying to sell my steam radiators... Any tips?

Jay__Low
Jay__Low Member Posts: 9
in THE MAIN WALL

Hey all. I already know how this post is probably making many of you feel, and I feel the same way. But trust me when I say that I have my reasons for getting rid of these radiators, and ultimately my goal is to make sure they go somewhere they can actually be useful and continue doing good work, instead of rusting away in a scrapyard. So please refrain from asking me why I'm getting rid of them.

With that said, yeah. My century-old steam radiators are leaving this home and I'm trying to make sure they go to a better place. I have five column-style radiators that are original to the home, and two small wall-mount radiators likely mid-century. The column radiators have been painted over many times and need some decent TLC to look good again (the iron underneath the paint looks great, unrusted), but the wall-mount ones are pristine. They are all ornate rococo style.

I've already received some advice on who I might be able to give these to, but have come up short so far. Any architectural salvage yard within driving distance doesn't want them, and scrapyards will only pay bulk cast iron prices for them. I also have a Craigslist ad and a FB Marketplace ad up but they are getting very little traction.

I'm not exactly in a rush to get rid of them, but does anyone have any other ideas? Any of you guys in the North Jersey area have any leads?

Comments

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 10,799

    eBay

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • Jay__Low
    Jay__Low Member Posts: 9

    Would I really get more leads on eBay than on Craigslist or FB? The small radiators I could probably ship off (though it would still be very expensive), but the others there's just no way. Do people really browse eBay for local pickup?

  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,698

    I think you’ll find most people will pick up and scrap

  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 2,694

    Cast iron radiators are so very heavy that many folks have found that they need to pay someone to get rid of them. However. If your timing is right, you might find a buyer. Scrap people will often take them away for free.

  • Jay__Low
    Jay__Low Member Posts: 9

    Well to be honest, one detail I left out is that originally I had put them up on Facebook Marketplace for free and got about a dozen VERY interested people within an hour — so I took down the ad thinking there might actually be an active market.

    If the market is just for scrap, then so be it.

    Intplm.
  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 763

    Can you share any pictures? I would recommend listing them at a a very reasonable price but a price higher than the scrap value. This will optimize your chances of them going to good use.

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