Is it risky to deal with a seller who refuses any video verification of their stockpile?
Short answer: Yes, this is a meaningful caution sign, particularly for a larger transaction — a legitimate seller with genuine stock generally has little reason to refuse a reasonable request to verify it exists via video or photos, and a seller who's cagey or evasive specifically about proving their material exists is exhibiting a pattern consistent with fraudulent "available stock" listings.
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Source Scrap →Why verification requests are entirely reasonable
Asking a seller to show their actual stockpile via video or recent photos, particularly before committing to a large transaction, is a standard, low-burden request for anyone with genuine material to sell — this shouldn’t be an unusual or difficult ask for a legitimate seller.
Why refusal specifically is concerning
A seller who declines this reasonable request, especially while still pushing to move forward with the deal, is showing a pattern consistent with scams where the listed material either doesn’t exist or isn’t actually what’s described — legitimate sellers generally don’t have this specific reluctance.
What to do if you encounter this
Treat continued refusal as a serious warning sign and strongly consider walking away, particularly for anything beyond a small, low-risk transaction — the inconvenience of finding another seller is a reasonable trade-off against the risk of proceeding with someone unwilling to prove their stock is real.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Buyers sourcing through ScrapTrade can request verification directly as part of arranging a transaction, and a seller’s willingness to accommodate this reasonable request is a useful signal before committing.
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