Eight Corona Virus Trends that Metal Investors Need to Watch

Recycle and Refine GoldRecycle Precious MetalsRecycling and Refining
Written By Barry Lenson

Would you believe that Bob Dylan wrote the song, “The Times They Are A-Changin’” way back in 1964? Ever since then, the times have been changing year by year, and there is no doubt about that.

But today, 56 years later, Dylan’s song seems to have become completely true. Suddenly, the world has changed in ways that we would never have predicted only five or six years ago.

And when the world changes, opportunities change for people who invest in precious metals. Let’s take a close look.

Trend One: Our Smartphones Have Become Our World

There is no doubt that handheld devices are quickly becoming the dominant way that people interact with the world. They are using their phones to communicate with other family members, to shop, and to be entertained. Plus, more and more consumers are relying on telehealth services to consult with their physicians and other care providers. And they are relying on an increasing number of apps to monitor their health conditions and diseases. Suddenly, those old phones that seemed to be “good enough” are just not good enough anymore.

The result? With people tossing their old smartphones, there are opportunities to snap up old smartphones and extract the gold, silver, and other precious metals they contain.

Trend Two: The Relationship Between People and their Cars Has Changed

Many people are trying to own fewer cars. People who are working from home are cutting back from owning two cars to owning one. They’re turning their leased vehicles back to their dealers and not replacing them. The result is that dealers have growing inventories of low-mileage models that they are finding it difficult to dispose of. While this might make you think that there will be a growing number of cars that are being scrapped, that’s not true, because those cars still have a long life ahead of them. The days could soon end when you could cruise automotive scrap yards in search of gold, silver, and platinum scrap.

The result? The ability to reclaim gold scrap, platinum scrap and silver scrap from cars is about to be reduced.

Trend Three: People Are Disposing of Valuables

Sad to say, many people have lost jobs during the pandemic, and have a pressing need to dispose of valuables. They’re taking a fresh look at old jewelry and other items and pawning them or selling them on eBay or through other selling options.

The result? This could be a good time to buy rings and other items of jewelry at attractive prices.

Trend Four: More People Are Using Computers to Work from Home

In this time of remote work, home workers are upgrading their home computers. And in some cases, their employers are giving them new computers and related equipment like wireless routers. Another trend is that people have fewer motivations to dispose of their old equipment because it is worth less and less.

The result? Now is a good time to buy old computers and tech equipment at reduced prices, possibly from neighbors who are not using it any more.  

Trend Five: Telecommuting and Working from Home

Companies are downsizing their physical facilities because more and more of their employees are working from home.

The result? As companies dispose of computers, phone systems and other equipment they no longer need, there are opportunities to acquire it at reduced prices. There is a chance that the need for such equipment will increase as business picks up again post-pandemic, but no one knows how likely that is.

Trend Six: Education Has Been Transformed Completely

As colleges, high schools and even primary schools shift to online instruction, many families are buying new computers for their children. In some cases, school systems are giving students laptops to use from their homes. The classic two-computer home is becoming a three-computer home, the classic three-computer home is becoming a four-computer home, and so on.

The result? As we noted in the trend just above, now is a good time to buy old computers and tech equipment at reduced prices, possibly from neighbors who are not using it any more. 

Trend Seven: Shopping Has Changed Forever

During the Covid-19 epidemic, people discovered shopping from home, most often using their smartphones.

The result? People who need more powerful phones to shop online are scrapping their older handheld devices.  Old phones, which are an important source of gold scrap, silver scrap and even copper, are easier to find and recycle than ever before. One option? Conduct a campaign to collect old phones and send them to Specialty Metals for recycling.

Trend Eight: Automated Homes

With unemployment surging, more people who are becoming concerned with home security and safety are adding new home security systems, as well as systems that monitor carbon monoxide and fires. Still others are purchasing home generators and home batteries that provide power during outages. And people who are spending more time at home are adding new conveniences like app-enabled heating and cooling systems, advanced home entertainment systems. Plus, people who can afford them are adding solar and other systems that can help supply their homes with lower-cost power.

The result? As new equipment is installed, older equipment is often disposed of. If you speak with contractors and installers, you can identify some who have old equipment to buy. And remember that any piece of electronic equipment contains printed circuit boards – and that printed circuit boards contain gold.

A Mixed Bag of Trends

As you review the trends we discuss in today’s post, you will notice that some of them could reduce your ability to acquire scrapped gold, silver, and platinum. (Example: The shrinking number of scrapped old cars.) Most of the other trends, in contrast, should increase your ability to get your hands on devices and materials that contain precious metals.

But the bottom line seems to be that we are entering a time of change, and a time of increased opportunity for people who invest in precious metals.

Whatever precious metal scrap you are collecting, give us a call at 800-426-2344. We are here to help you turn your scrap into a profitable investment.

Barry Lenson
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