What questions should I ask a dealer to gauge if they're genuinely a good fit before I commit to selling?
Short answer: Ask about their specific licensing and registration, how they grade and weigh material, what payment method and timing they use, and whether they can provide references or show a trading history — a dealer confident in their legitimacy should answer these specifically and readily, while vague or evasive answers to basic questions are worth treating as a caution sign.
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Find Verified Buyers →Why asking upfront questions matters before you commit
Once you’ve delivered material to a dealer, your leverage to walk away drops considerably — asking the right questions before committing to a specific dealer is the point where you have the most ability to identify a poor fit and choose someone else instead.
The core questions worth asking
Specifically ask about their licensing status, their grading and weighing process, exactly how and when you’ll be paid, and whether they can point to any track record or references — these cover the main areas where problems tend to show up if a dealer isn’t operating properly.
What their answers actually tell you
A legitimate, experienced dealer typically answers these questions specifically and without hesitation, since they’re standard, reasonable things to ask — vague, evasive, or annoyed responses to basic questions like these are a meaningful signal worth taking seriously before you commit any material.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Buyers on ScrapTrade have already been through a business verification process, which answers several of these baseline questions before you even start a direct conversation.
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