Why is the price you are paid sometimes lower than the price quoted on a list?
Short answer: The quoted price usually assumes the material matches the stated grade, quantity and condition, so deductions for contamination, moisture, attachments or a smaller-than-minimum load, plus any fees or weighing differences, can bring the amount you are paid below the headline figure, which is why confirming the conditions behind a price before you sell matters as much as the number itself.
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List Free →Conditions behind the headline number
A price is normally quoted for material that meets a particular description, so if yours is dirtier, mixed or lighter than that, the price you are paid is likely to be adjusted.
Weighing and deductions
Differences in how a load is weighed, and deductions for non-metal content or moisture, can reduce the paid weight below what you estimated, so ask how deductions are calculated in advance.
Why asking up front helps
Asking what would cause a deduction before you sell is the simplest way to avoid surprises, and a buyer who answers clearly is usually a better bet than one who is vague.
How ScrapTrade Fits In
ScrapTrade offers come with stated conditions and transparent weighing, which narrows the gap between the quoted and paid price.
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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