Alden Bates' Weblog

Man, I've been looking for a million tons of used rails for years, and you just turn down such a great opportunity? I'm so envious! :D

Posted by: Arancaytar | July 14, 2006 11:27 PM

I've always wanted to build my very own railway. But are they also including the sleepers, plates and spikes...?

Posted by: Paul Scoones | July 17, 2006 9:31 AM

Sounds like it's just the rails, so I guess if you wanted to build a railway line, you'd have to buy the rest. :)

Posted by: Alden Bates | July 17, 2006 9:51 AM

hi all,
seems like a scam. in reality there had been some deals done like this b4 and many hv become overnite millionares. jst imagine brokering a deal of 300,000 tonnes with 1 usd commision for one ton. The prob is more and more scams are coming out. Sellers like the one here may request Letter of intent and bank letter from buyer. which buyer in the world will do that. ANy thoughts ? Is there a metal body authorizing trade. secondly why are intermediates involved . Is it just a distraction. how do the actual companies deal. B2B websites? high level referalls or how . these are the pressing q's .

Posted by: G | August 16, 2006 1:19 AM

I'm sure some deals have been made like this before, but it's highly unlikely such deals were made by one party randomly emailing people in search of people to do business with.

Posted by: Alden Bates | August 16, 2006 8:52 AM

very true. mass mail is no no. here in asia i hv some steel factories who are interested but all this makes them more scared only

Posted by: G | August 16, 2006 3:31 PM

Dear Sir,

We are consultants to the Federal Ministry Of Transport in Nigeria, and mandated to dispose off, used rails and

train coaches from the world bank assisted replacement project of the Nigerian Railway Corporation. We are

reliably informed of your interest to purchase used rail and steel scrap, from the Nigeria Railway corporation

sites, Inview of this therefore, we are at liberty to forward to you our corporate offer as follows:

Used Rails (R50 – R65, ISRI STANDARD) USS 140,-/MT CIF ASWP,
Apapa ports, Lagos. Exluding cutting cost.

Payment terms: 100% Irrevocable, Non-transferable and confirmable letter of credit payable at sight upon the

receipt of Bill of Lading.

N.B.please note that the sum of $8 USD per metric tone, is the cost of cutting, loading and transportation from

the site, to port of loading.You are required to nominate your representative who will visit the site for inspection

and suppervise the loading, this may take 2 to 3 weeks, the expenses for this aspect is entirely your

responsibility and is none negotiable. Our Company will not be responsible for these expenses.

Now details about the Used Rails which would go for supply:

Chemical Composition
R50 - 51.67 kg/m GOST 7173-75
C: 0.67 -- 0.8%
Mn : 0.75 -- 1.05%
Si : 0.13 -- 0.28%
P : max. 0.035%
S: max. 0.045%
Ar : max. 0.15%

R65 - 64.72 kg/m GOST 8165-75
C: 0.6 -- 0.082%
N: 0.75 -- 1.05%
Si : 0.13 - 0.28%
P : max. 0.035%
S: max. 0.045%
Ar : max. 0.15

The scrap consists of R-50 (51,67 kg/m) R-65 ( 64,72 kg/m )

If you are interested, do send us your LOI, (letter of intent). LOI must include

1).Buyer’s full company name, address, tel. no., fax and e-mail Signatory
2).Shipment Information (if different from buyer). This is the recipient of the product at the point of

dismemberment
3).Type of product requested
4).Quantity/month (min 30,000-mt/month)
5).Length of contract (min. 1 year)
6).Country of destination
7).Offloading port
8).Complete bank details (name, address, contact officer, tel, fax)
9).Inspection at the port of loading by SGS

Please note: Documents of authority mandating us to act in our capacity from the Federal Ministry Of Transport,

will be presented to your representative on arrival for his perusal.

Anticipating a favourable working relationship with you ,

Your's Faithfully,

MICHAL WEST

Posted by: MICHAeL WEST | August 29, 2006 11:29 AM

Reliably informed = Googling for "Used rail buyer"

Interesting definition there. ;)

Posted by: Alden Bates | August 29, 2006 2:14 PM

Hi Mr.Micheal West,

Tks for the info. But this is a prevalent request fm unknown suppliers worldwide . We need proof. I can assure that i hv factories interested .Can your end send us an initial sample? We can pay for that if necessary.

I am utmost sure no buying company of reliable standing will reveal its bank details without any proof. I have been in this field for 7 years and no the working of a real transaction.

Awaiting to hear from u. If able do mail me at navfm@yahoo.com.

No buyer will reveal banking details to an unknown source unless or other wise relevant banking documents or trust is present. hope this clarifies. And if you had been informed by someone pls do mention to them. Sincerely no offence jst sharing the thoughts i hv acquired .

rgds
G
" Life life simple . Live and let live "

Posted by: g | September 1, 2006 1:34 AM

(here's your answer re. bogus, fraudulent so called 'sellers' who own none of the goods, but want to collect certain up-front 'logistics fees' to make things happen. But nothing ever happens except the suckers who fall for it get ripped off minimum a few thousand dollars. Having said that, yes, there is a legit business in scrap steel used rails, sold AS scrap. And yes, we deal in hundreds of thousands of tons in one contract. But it's not an easy game to 'get rich quick', or for the faint of heart. Note now this letter from the Nigerian Railway Corp and it's warning:

Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: Fw: Used Rail sales from Nigerian Railway Corporation

Dear Sir.

Thank you for the email. Please be advised that there is still a government ban in place on the sale of NRC scrap metal in or outside Nigeria. We have also received many requests and the Managing Director of NRC has told us to warn all potential buyers that the individuals you are dealing with are not genuine, and are not representatives of NRC.

Please be warned.

Yours sincerely

Kayode Khalidson
Project Manager (Rail Team)
Bureau of Public Enterprises
Direct Line: +234 (0) 9 672 4115
Cell: +234 (0) 803 311 5514

Posted by: Mike S. | October 21, 2006 9:36 PM

Urgent Sales of Used Rails From South Africa.

Our Ref: EBCC/DT-94/HMS1&2[30KX12] 270406

I am Ben Mokoena Radebe, a special consulting attach?to the Hon. Minister Of Transport, Republic Of South Africa, I have been mandated by the Honorable Minister of Transport to sale and negotiate with a foreign company who can purchase the products as stated below under an annual contract term.

PRODUCT: USED RAIL TRACKS
SPECIFICATIONS: R50 & R 65 as conformed to the ISRI CODES
ORIGIN : SOUTH AFRICA
MANUFACTURERS : RUSSIA AND UKRAINE
PACKAGING : Loose and Cut to sizes of 1.5inches before containerizing and Loading.
QUANTITY : 160, 000 MT (One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Metric Tons)
SHIPMENT : 30,000 MT (Thirty Thousand Metric Tons per Month.)

CONTRACT PERIOD : 12 Months.
PRICE : USD$75 per Metric Ton.
Payment Terms : Letter of Credit
DELIVERY : FOB.
INSPECTION : Quality, Quantity, Weight & Photo by Buyer at buyers cost at port of loading for invoicing Quantity assay issued by SGS in clear, clean faxed or e-mailed version, showing the quantity of the goods loaded on board vessel. Hard copies will follow with-in seven (7) banking days.

Chemical Composition: International Standards as follows:
R50 - 51.67 kg/m GOST 7173-75
C : 0.67 -- 0.8%
Mn : 0.75 -- 1.05%
Si : 0.13 -- 0.28%
P : max. 0.035%
S : max. 0.045%
Ar : max. 0.15%

R65 - 64.72 kg/m GOST 8165-75
C: 0.6 -- 0.082%
n: 0.75 -- 1.05%
Si: 0.13 - 0.28%
P: max. 0.035%
S: max. 0.045%
Ar: max. 0.15

The scrap rail consists out of the used rails scraps from the South African Railway Commuters Corporation. All materials are totally free from any types of radiation; bombs, arms and ammunition, and explosive in any form either used or otherwise.

Please confirm if you are willing to close down the contract as to enable us schedule and arrange for your urgent trip to South Africa for inspections of the materials and signing of the contract with us and the representatives of the ministry.

Finally, be informed that upon your acceptance to this offer, we will be providing you with all the related documents for your perusals before coming down to South Africa for the signing of the contract with us, Please revert via: Email: [EDIT] for faster attention.

Thanks and regards,
Ben.M. Radebe

+27 722242640

Posted by: Ben.M. Radebe | December 14, 2006 3:45 AM

Wow, the price has gone from $8 per metric ton to $75 per metric ton in four months? That's inflation for ya.

OK, that's enough example scam comments. Any more get deleted. :P

Edit: That means please do not try to sell used rail in the comments!

Posted by: Alden Bates | December 14, 2006 6:23 AM

can anybody verify if there is R65 used Railway in Southern Africa , only geninue takers.
i already supplied 300 000 metric tons to China
have contract for further 500 000 metric tons

will pay between $50 to $110 US DOLLARS PER TON

Posted by: Peter Opperman | March 9, 2007 3:06 AM

Dear Peter Opperman;

I am trying to see if Ukraine and Russia is
where the SCAMMERS are claiming to have
scrap metal sites?

Have you come across such? Let me know.
I have a few friends that are not so sure if
they know what they are getting into. I need to
protect them by warning them with some proofs.
Would you help me?

Thanks,

Posted by: T. Johng | March 30, 2007 6:27 AM

Most of the used rail things I've seen so far seem to be in African nations, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was spreading...

Posted by: Alden Bates | March 30, 2007 10:36 AM