Can I ask for a recent photo with a timestamp or my company name written on paper to confirm the stock is real?
Short answer: Yes, this is a simple, reasonable, and genuinely effective verification request — asking a seller to photograph their stock with a handwritten note showing your name or company and today's date is one of the easiest ways to rule out recycled or stock photos, and any seller with real material should have no issue providing it.
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Browse Listings →Why this simple request works so well
A handwritten note with specific, current details — your name and today’s date — can’t be faked from an old photo or someone else’s listing, since it requires the seller to actually create something new, right now, specifically for you.
How to ask for it without seeming excessive
Framing it as standard practice for any new online purchase, rather than a special accusation aimed at this particular seller, keeps the request straightforward — a legitimate seller generally understands this as normal due diligence, not an insult.
What it doesn’t verify
This confirms the photo is current and taken specifically for you, but it doesn’t independently verify the material’s grade or exact quantity — pair it with other checks like a video call or sample for a fuller picture on a larger purchase.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Requesting this kind of verification through ScrapTrade’s messaging keeps it on record as part of your pre-purchase due diligence, which is useful context if a dispute comes up later.
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