I'd be afraid of buying metals from a local scrap dealer unless they can certify metal content. The thing I like about online metals is that they certify the content of their metals. I've met some real fly-by-night scrap dealers, and I wouldn't trust anything they would sell me. But then, I'm in the BFE, also. Maybe it's different where you all live.
I wouldn't pay ANYTHING to have my neighbor's Volvo melted down whole and turned into a water block ... well, maybe a little ...