Who decides the final grade if the buyer and I disagree, and is their word final?
Short answer: In a straightforward transaction without a formal agreement specifying otherwise, the buyer's assessment often functionally determines the price offered, but that doesn't mean their word is legally or practically the final, unchallengeable word — you can dispute a grading decision, request evidence, seek a second opinion from another buyer, or in the case of a platform-based sale, escalate through a formal dispute process.
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List Free →Why the buyer’s grading isn’t automatically the final word
A buyer’s grading assessment determines what they’re willing to pay, but that’s different from it being an unchallengeable, objectively correct final determination — you retain the right to disagree, ask questions, seek other opinions, and ultimately decide whether to accept their price or pursue the material elsewhere.
What actually gives you leverage in a disagreement
Your strongest position comes from having your own documentation — photos, any prior test results, a clear description of how you prepared the material — combined with a willingness to seek a second opinion or walk away if the grading seems genuinely unreasonable.
When a formal dispute process applies
If your sale went through a platform with its own grading dispute process, that formal mechanism may give you a more structured way to challenge a grading decision than a purely informal disagreement with the buyer directly.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Transactions on ScrapTrade can be escalated through a formal dispute process if a grading disagreement can’t be resolved directly with the buyer, giving you a structured path beyond just accepting their assessment.
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