What records should I keep in case a buyer later disputes what was agreed?
Short answer: Keep a record of the agreed price and terms (ideally in writing), proof of delivery or handover, any photos of the material's condition before the sale, and a copy of any receipt or payment confirmation — together these give you a reasonably complete picture to reference if a buyer later claims something different from what you understood was agreed.
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List Free →The core documents worth keeping
A written record of the agreed price and terms, whether a formal agreement or just a confirming text or email, is the foundation — beyond that, proof of delivery, any pre-sale photos of the material’s condition, and payment confirmation together build a reasonably complete picture of the transaction.
Why photos specifically are worth taking
A quick photo of your material before handover, especially for anything where condition or quantity could later be disputed, gives you independent visual evidence rather than relying purely on your own description if a buyer later claims the material was different from what was actually delivered.
How long to keep these records
For anything beyond a trivial, low-value sale, keeping records for at least the period relevant to any tax reporting obligations, and ideally somewhat longer, is a reasonable practice — records cost little to store digitally and can be genuinely valuable if a dispute or question arises well after the fact.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
ScrapTrade automatically retains transaction records as part of the platform, giving you a documented reference without needing to separately compile and store everything yourself.
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