Selling situations
Sell partial reels and leftover cable
Most surplus cable is partial. A job pulls 600 feet from a 1,000-foot reel and the remaining 400 feet sits on a shelf until someone decides what to do with it.
Partial reels are quoted on usable footage, not on what the reel originally held. That means an estimate is acceptable, and a missing tag is not disqualifying.
How remaining footage is handled
If the tag states the original length, the remaining footage is estimated from the wraps on the barrel. If the reel has a counter slip or a written note, that is better. At pickup, the length is confirmed and the offer is adjusted if the estimate was materially off.
Short lengths and opened coils
Cut lengths under about 50 feet are harder to place but not worthless, particularly in large conductor sizes and in tray or control cable. Group short lengths by construction and size, and note the approximate total for each group.
When to combine lots
Several partial reels from one shop are worth more quoted together than one at a time, because the trip is the same. If you have material at two locations, list both; we can schedule one route.
Questions about this
Is a partial reel worth a pickup?
Often yes, especially in large sizes or medium voltage. A single partial reel can justify a scheduled stop.
What if I have 30 feet left?
It is still quotable, usually as part of a group. Short lengths of large conductor carry more value than short lengths of small branch wire.
Do you buy opened coils?
Yes, when the construction is identifiable and the cable is not damaged.