What evidence should I collect on my end before dropping off scrap, in case of a later grading dispute?
Short answer: Take clear, well-lit photos of your material showing its actual condition immediately before you deliver it, ideally with a timestamp or something establishing the date visible, weigh it yourself if you have access to a scale, and keep a simple written note of how you sorted or prepared it — this combination gives you a documented reference point if a buyer's assessment later differs significantly from what you actually delivered.
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List Free →Why timing matters for photo evidence
Photos taken well before delivery, or of a different batch entirely, are less useful as evidence than photos taken immediately before you actually hand the material over — the closer in time your documentation is to the actual delivery, the more it genuinely reflects what the buyer received.
What to actually capture
Clear photos from multiple angles showing the material’s condition, your own weight reading if you have scale access, and a brief note of any preparation you did — sorting, cleaning, stripping — together build a reasonably complete record of what you delivered and its condition.
Why this preparation pays off even if you never need it
Most transactions won’t end in a dispute, so this documentation often goes unused — but the time cost is minimal, and having it ready removes any scramble to reconstruct evidence after the fact if a genuine disagreement does arise.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Including your own pre-delivery photos as part of a ScrapTrade listing creates a documented record from the start, rather than something you have to separately maintain and produce later if needed.
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