Can I request a video call to inspect the material remotely before arranging pickup?
Short answer: Yes, and for any online-only purchase where you can't visit in person, this is one of the most effective verification steps available — a legitimate seller can walk you through the actual stockpile on camera, and reluctance to do a live video call, as opposed to just sending more photos, is a meaningful signal worth paying attention to.
Skip the guesswork. Source scrap from business-verified sellers on ScrapTrade with escrow-protected payments.
Browse Listings →Why video beats more photos
Photos, even many of them, can be curated to show only the best material or recycled from an old listing. A live video call, especially one where you can ask the seller to pan around or show specific angles in real time, is much harder to stage convincingly.
What to actually ask for during the call
Ask the seller to show the material from multiple angles, hold up something with today’s date visible — a phone screen or handwritten note — and if relevant, show the surrounding environment, since a real yard or workshop looks different from a hastily arranged scene.
What if a seller can’t or won’t do a video call
Time zone differences or genuinely being away from the material for legitimate reasons can explain a delay, but an outright refusal or repeated excuses for an online-only transaction is worth treating as a real reason for caution, not just an inconvenience.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Verified sellers on ScrapTrade are generally responsive to a reasonable video verification request as part of normal due diligence before a first-time online purchase.
Ready to source scrap online without the guesswork? ScrapTrade connects you with verified sellers, escrow-protected payments, and transparent weighing.
Find Verified Sellers on ScrapTrade →