Wire & cable we buy
Sell reels, spools, coils and cut lengths
Full reels, partial reels, wooden and metal reels, spools, coils, cartons and unused cut lengths, including warehouse stock that no longer matches the work.
Most surplus wire is not a full truckload. It is a wooden reel with 300 feet left, a metal spool of control cable, two cartons of THHN and a coil of grounding wire that nobody wants to count. Those are exactly the loads this category is about.
The practical question is whether the material can be described well enough to price without an on-site visit. Usually it can. A reel tag, a photo of the remaining wraps and a rough footage estimate are enough for a first offer, with the final count confirmed at pickup.
We buy full and partial reels, spools, coils, cartons, loose unused cut lengths and complete warehouse stock. Mixed lots are welcome when each type is grouped and counted.
What we buy in this category
- Full factory reels, sealed and tagged
- Partial reels with legible tags and readable print
- Wooden and metal reels, including returnable reels
- Plastic and steel spools of building or control wire
- Coils of bare copper, grounding wire and flexible cable
- Cartons of cut lengths and opened boxes
- Palletized warehouse overstock and discontinued stock
- Inventory from a closed branch or cancelled project
How to describe a mixed lot
A mixed lot is priced group by group. This is the level of detail that makes a single quote possible.
| Group | Detail to provide | What to send |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed reels | Type, size, footage from the tag, manufacturer | Tag photo and a photo of the reel face |
| Partial reels | Type, size, tag footage and estimated remaining | Reel tag plus the remaining wraps |
| Coils and spools | Type, size and estimated length or weight | A photo of each coil with something for scale |
| Cartons | Type, size, quantity and whether opened | Label photo and a photo of the contents |
| Loose cut lengths | Type, size and measured length per piece | Pieces laid out and measured |
Sizes commonly reviewed
- #14
- #12
- #10
- #8
- #6
- #4
- #3
- #2
- #1
- 1/0
- 2/0
- 3/0
- 4/0
- 250 MCM
- 300 MCM
- 350 MCM
- 400 MCM
- 500 MCM
- 600 MCM
- 750 MCM
- 1000 MCM
Counting beats guessing. A lot that is described as "about forty reels" gets a slower response than a list that says eighteen sealed reels and twenty-two partials, with types and sizes. The count does not need to be perfect, but it should be honest.
What makes a submission easy to price
The goal is a description that can be priced without arguing about it later.
- Group by type and size rather than by location
- List sealed reels separately from partial reels
- Give the measured or estimated footage for each group
- Note wooden, metal or plastic reel types
- Say whether the material has been stored indoors
Condition and quantity
Sealed reels are the cleanest. Tag, footage and manufacturer are usually all that is needed.
Partial reels are priced on remaining length and condition. A reel stored indoors with a capped end is a better proposition than one that has been outside.
Loose and unmarked material is reviewed as a mixed lot. If the type cannot be established at all, the material is treated as metal recovery rather than as usable wire.
Request a quote
Request a quote for reels and partial reels
Describe the lot in groups, with counts for each. Add photos of tags, reels and cartons; a wide shot of the whole lot helps too.
- Photos speed up review more than anything else
- Cable markings, jacket legends and reel tags help us identify the product
- No obligation and no cost to submit
Prefer to talk it through? Call +1 (614) 715-3047 or email saleselectricalbuyers@gmail.com.
Reels, spools and cut length questions
Do you buy returnable wooden reels on their own?
Empty reels are not the product we buy. Reels with usable wire on them are. For empty reel returns, a pallet or reel supplier is the better contact.
Can you quote from an inventory list instead of photos?
An inventory list is a good start, especially for a large warehouse. Photos of representative reels and tags are still needed to confirm the types and condition.
What if the footage on the tag is wrong?
Tags are sometimes wrong. The remaining length is confirmed at pickup, and the offer is adjusted if the difference is material. That is why partial reels are quoted with some tolerance.
Will you buy a whole shelf of mixed sizes?
Yes. Group the material by type and size, list counts and approximate footage, and photograph each group. A whole shelf can be one submission.