How ScrapTrade.now Works

Create Your Free Account

Getting started on ScrapTrade.now takes just minutes. Registration is completely free with no credit card required, no hidden fees, and no long-term commitments.

What you'll need:

• Email address: Your primary contact for platform communications
• Business details (if applicable): Company name, ABN/tax ID, business address
• Personal information: Name, phone number, location for individual sellers
• Account type selection: Choose Seller, Buyer, or Both (recommended)

The verification process:

After registration, you'll complete our verification process to become a trusted member of the trading community. This involves:

• Business verification (for companies): ABN lookup, business registration confirmation, authorized person identification
• Identity confirmation: Government-issued ID verification (driver's license or passport)
• Contact verification: Email and phone number confirmation
• Banking validation: Bank account verification for payments

Timeline: Verification typically completes within 24-48 hours. You'll receive a "Verified Trader" badge on your profile, which significantly increases trust and response rates from other traders.

List Your Materials or Search for Supply

For Sellers - Creating Listings:

Transform your scrap into cash by creating professional listings that reach thousands of verified buyers instantly.

• Take quality photos: Use your smartphone to capture 3-7 clear photos showing:
  • Overall view of material quantity
  • Close-ups demonstrating quality and grade
  • Any contamination or condition issues (transparency builds trust)
  • Material form (baled, loose, cut, whole items)
• Specify material details:
  • Material type (copper, aluminum, steel, stainless, etc.)
  • Grade (bare bright copper, #1 copper, UBC aluminum, 304 stainless, etc.)
  • Total weight or quantity (accurate weighing increases buyer confidence)
  • Current location (city and state/country)
  • Form and condition (clean, contaminated, sorted, mixed)
• Set your price:
  • Fixed pricing: Set exact price per kg/tonne if you know what you want
  • Negotiable: Set starting price but indicate willingness to negotiate
  • Request offers: Let buyers submit proposals without revealing your target
  • Auction: Set reserve price and let competitive bidding determine final price
• Delivery terms: Specify FOB (buyer arranges pickup) or Delivered (you transport)
• Payment preferences: Indicate preferred payment methods and terms

For Buyers - Searching for Materials:

Find exactly what you need from thousands of listings updated in real-time.

• Use advanced search filters:
  • Material type and grade specifications
  • Geographic location (city, state, country, distance radius)
  • Quantity ranges (minimum and maximum)
  • Price ranges
  • Seller ratings (filter for highly-rated suppliers)
  • Delivery options (pickup available, delivered, FOB)
• Save searches: Create saved searches and receive automatic notifications when matching materials are listed
• Post buying requirements: Create RFQ (Request for Quote) listings where sellers submit proposals to you
• Browse categories: Explore by material type to discover opportunities

Pro tip: Check the platform's real-time pricing data before listing or offering to ensure competitive pricing aligned with current market conditions.

Connect and Negotiate

Once listings are live or you've found materials of interest, direct communication begins through our secure messaging system.

For Sellers:

• Receive inquiries: Buyers interested in your materials send messages asking questions or submitting offers
• Review buyer profiles: Check their verification status, ratings, and transaction history before responding
• Answer questions promptly: Fast responses (within 2-4 hours) significantly improve conversion rates
• Provide additional information: Share extra photos, specifications, test results, or certifications if requested
• Compare multiple offers: If multiple buyers are interested, the platform displays all offers side-by-side for easy comparison
• Negotiate terms: Discuss pricing, payment methods, delivery arrangements, and timelines
• Accept best offer: Choose the offer that best meets your requirements (highest price, best payment terms, most reliable buyer, etc.)

For Buyers:

• Contact sellers: Send messages asking questions about material specifications, quality, availability, delivery options
• Request additional information: Ask for extra photos, test results, certifications, or specific details
• Review seller history: Check ratings, reviews, and past transaction feedback
• Submit offers: Propose pricing and terms for materials of interest
• Negotiate: Discuss quantity adjustments, delivery schedules, payment terms, quality specifications
• Confirm specifications: Ensure complete agreement on material type, grade, quantity, quality before finalizing

Platform features supporting negotiation:

• All communication documented and timestamped
• Offer/counteroffer system with clear tracking
• File attachments for sharing documents, photos, test results
• Notification system ensures you don't miss messages
• Multi-device access (continue conversations on desktop or mobile)

Best practices: Be professional, honest about material condition, respond promptly, and negotiate in good faith. Building positive reputation through fair dealing leads to repeat business and better long-term outcomes.

Finalize the Deal

Once terms are agreed, ScrapTrade.now generates a comprehensive digital contract documenting all aspects of the transaction.

Digital contract includes:

• Parties: Complete buyer and seller information with verification status
• Material specifications:
  • Material type and grade
  • Total quantity (weight in kg or tonnes)
  • Quality standards and contamination limits
  • Form and condition descriptions
  • Any certifications or test results referenced
• Pricing:
  • Price per unit ($/kg or $/tonne)
  • Total transaction value
  • Currency specified
  • Any price adjustments or deductions agreed
• Payment terms:
  • Payment method (wire transfer, ACH, escrow, cash, etc.)
  • Payment timing (advance, upon delivery, net 30/60, etc.)
  • Bank details or escrow account information
• Delivery arrangements:
  • FOB location or delivery address
  • Pickup/delivery date and time window
  • Responsibility for transport costs
  • Loading/unloading responsibilities
• Quality assurance:
  • Inspection procedures
  • Acceptance criteria
  • Dispute resolution process
  • Rejection procedures if material doesn't meet specifications

Contract review and signing:

• Both parties receive contract for review
• Time to review terms and request modifications if needed
• Digital signature from both buyer and seller
• Legally binding agreement created
• Contract stored permanently on platform for reference

Payment security options:

• Escrow service (recommended for high-value or new relationships):
  • Buyer deposits payment to escrow account
  • Seller ships materials knowing payment is secured
  • Buyer receives and inspects materials
  • Upon buyer confirmation, escrow releases payment to seller
  • Both parties protected throughout transaction
• Direct payment: For established relationships or where trust exists
• Letter of credit: For large international transactions
• Cash on delivery: For local transactions

Complete Transaction & Build Reputation

The final step involves physical transfer of materials, payment processing, and mutual feedback.

Material transfer:

• Pickup coordination: If buyer is collecting, schedule specific date/time and provide clear location details and contact information
• Delivery execution: If seller is delivering, coordinate with buyer for receipt
• Weighing: Materials weighed upon loading and/or delivery to confirm quantity
• Quality inspection: Buyer inspects materials to verify they match agreed specifications
• Documentation: Both parties sign delivery receipts, weight tickets, or inspection reports
• Photos: Document condition at time of transfer for records

Payment processing:

• Escrow transactions: Buyer confirms receipt and quality, platform releases payment to seller
• Direct payment: Payment processed according to agreed terms
• Payment confirmation: Both parties confirm payment received/sent on platform
• Documentation: Platform maintains complete payment records

Quality disputes (rare but handled systematically):

• If materials don't match specifications, buyer documents issues with photos and details
• Seller reviews evidence and responds
• Options include: price adjustment, partial rejection, full rejection and return
• Platform support team mediates if parties can't resolve directly
• Contract terms and documentation guide resolution

Mutual rating and review:

After transaction completion, both parties rate each other across multiple criteria. This is crucial for building platform reputation.

Rating categories:

• Communication quality: Responsiveness, clarity, professionalism
• Material accuracy (for sellers): Did materials match listing descriptions?
• Transaction smoothness: Overall ease of completing the deal
• Payment promptness (for buyers): Paid on time as agreed?
• Delivery reliability: Logistics executed as promised?
• Overall satisfaction: Would you trade with this person again?

Written reviews:

• Both parties write brief reviews describing their experience
• Reviews are public and appear on trader profiles
• Positive reviews build credibility and attract future business
• Negative reviews are visible but both parties can respond

Reputation benefits:

• For sellers: High ratings lead to more inquiries, faster sales, and ability to command premium prices
• For buyers: Good reputation makes sellers more willing to negotiate, offer better payment terms, and prioritize your orders
• Long-term: Excellent reputation becomes valuable business asset, enabling larger transactions and better opportunities

Transaction complete! Both parties have successfully traded, payment is complete, and reputation is enhanced. The platform maintains permanent records of the entire transaction for accounting, tax, and reference purposes.