we have one multi location company around here that behaves as you describe. They would be ok to sell to, but you won't get anything out of there.
And then there is another yard, a little hole next to some train tracks where the guys are happy to let peopl walk the yard and buy. selection is a bit limited, but they seem to have got a deal with some kind of large steel supplier as they are getting more raw stock to go with the cars and appliances they get a lot of.
I'm on good terms with them so they cut me some deals and buy things they wouldn't sell to others, but I've been buying off them regular for almost five years now, so it's taken a while to get to that level of deal. when they close up I'll probably be out of luck locally for scrap steel.
if I need something specific, I call up thelocal steel shop and deal with their counter guy. Good guy, been buying off him for year now too. They are a combination steel warehouse, dealing with building companies(steel girders,etc) and a customer steel fabrication shop. They are the go to guys if you need a custom steel railing around here. so they will deal with me as a small fish. prices are good, selection is solid. but if I can get it out of the scrap yard, I get a much better deal.
your profile desn't say where your at, but depending on where you are at, you may still have an old school scrap yard around if you dig hard enough.
