I sent photos showing bare bright copper, but the buyer downgraded it to #2 copper on arrival — what recourse do I have?
Short answer: Start by asking the buyer for specific evidence of what changed the assessment — photos or a detailed explanation of the actual material condition on arrival — since a genuine discrepancy between photos and delivered material can happen, but you're entitled to understand exactly why the grade differs from what your photos showed before simply accepting a lower price.
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List Free →Why the discrepancy needs a specific explanation
If your photos genuinely showed bare bright copper and the buyer is now asserting a lower grade, there should be a specific, identifiable reason — actual material condition differing from what was photographed, contamination not visible in photos, or another concrete factor — rather than just a stated downgrade with no explanation.
What to ask for specifically
Request photos of the material as the buyer actually received and assessed it, ideally showing whatever specific issue led to the downgrade — this lets you compare directly against your original photos and judge whether the discrepancy is genuine or not.
What to do if the explanation doesn’t hold up
If the buyer can’t provide specific evidence, or their explanation doesn’t reasonably account for the gap between your photos and their assessment, it’s reasonable to push back on the grade, request a third-party opinion, or decline the revised price and consider other buyers going forward.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Keeping your own timestamped photos as part of a ScrapTrade listing gives you a documented reference point to compare against any grading claim a buyer makes after delivery.
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