Getting Started on ScrapTrade
If you've never used the platform before, this is where to start — no jargon, just what actually happens at each step.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Click Register, enter your email address, and you'll get a 6-digit code by email within a few seconds. Enter that code and you're verified — no password to remember, no email link to click. You'll also pick a role during signup (Individual, Trader, or Business — see below), and your country sets your default currency automatically.
Step 2: Choose Your Account Type
This decides which dashboard tools you see. Pick based on how you'll actually use the platform, not how big you hope to grow — you can always talk to support about switching later.
Individual
Casual sellers and buyers — clearing out scrap from a garage, or sourcing a small quantity.
Trader
Professional dealers running regular volume — bulk CSV listing import, yard management tools, analytics.
Business
Companies and recycling plants — everything Trader has, plus team accounts for multiple staff.
Step 3: Browsing and Searching
The Marketplace is the main browse page — filter by material category, country, listing type (fixed price or auction), and price range, or just use the search bar for a specific material or grade. The Auctions page shows only live and upcoming auctions if that's specifically what you're after.
Step 4: How Payments and Trust Actually Work
Two mechanisms carry almost all of the trust on ScrapTrade, and they're worth understanding before your first trade:
GPS Video Verification
Every listing includes a short video recorded at the material's actual location, with live GPS data captured automatically. Our team reviews it before the listing goes live — so what you see is checked against where and what it claims to be.
Escrow-Held Payments
When a buyer pays, the money doesn't go straight to the seller — it's held by Stripe until the buyer confirms the order is complete (or 14 days after delivery, automatically, if nothing's raised). If something's wrong, a dispute can be opened before that money ever moves.
Step 5: Messaging, Notifications, and Reviews
Once an order is placed, in-app messaging unlocks between buyer and seller to coordinate shipping details. You'll get a notification (and email, if enabled) for bids, outbids, offers, order status changes, and messages — check Settings if you want to turn any of those off. After a trade completes, both sides can leave a review, which builds the public rating shown on profiles and listings.
One thing worth doing on day one
Turn on push notifications when prompted (install the app to your phone's home screen for the best experience) — bidding and messaging move fast, and it's the difference between catching an outbid alert in time and losing a lot you were winning.
Common Questions
Do I need a password to sign up?
No. ScrapTrade uses a one-time code sent to your email instead of a password — enter your email, get a 6-digit code, enter the code, and you're in. You can add a password later in Settings if you'd rather log in that way, but it's never required.
Can I change my account type after signing up?
Contact support if you need to switch between Individual, Trader, and Business — it's not a self-service toggle, since each type has different dashboard tools and (for Trader/Business) different verification expectations.
Is it free to join?
Yes. Creating an account, browsing, and listing are all free. ScrapTrade only takes a 1% commission on the final sale price when something actually sells — nothing is charged upfront.
Next: pick the guide for your account type