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Reading Price Lists

How often do scrap metal prices change, and how old can a price list be before you stop trusting it?

Short answer: Scrap prices can change daily or weekly because they follow wider metal markets and local demand, so a price list from the last few days is a reasonable guide while one that is weeks old, or undated, should be treated as a rough indication only and confirmed with the buyer before you commit to a load.

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Why prices move

Scrap prices follow wider metal markets, exchange rates and local demand, so they do not stand still, and some metals move more than others.

How to judge a list’s age

Look for a date on the list, and if there is none, ask when it was last updated, since an undated list cannot be relied upon.

Confirm before you load

Even a recent list can change by the time you arrive, so confirming the price on the day, ideally in writing, avoids disappointment.

How ScrapTrade Fits In

ScrapTrade shows current market prices, so you are working from numbers that reflect today’s market.

Reading a price list well is half the job. ScrapTrade shows current market prices and connects you with verified buyers, transparent weighing and escrow-protected payments.

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