What an agent does
A scrap agent does the listing and dealing work for you
Selling or buying scrap well takes time, and it takes knowing how listings and deals work. A scrap agent is someone you hire to do that work on your behalf. The hiring agreement on ScrapTrade records who hired whom, the commission and the scope of the work, and the agent acts for you.
What you can hand over
- For sellers: describing and photographing your material, creating the listings and handling the deal.
- For buyers: finding and shortlisting suitable material, posting requests and handling the deal.
- For both: answering questions, negotiating on your behalf and keeping you informed.
- Your choice of scope: some people hand over only the listings, others the whole deal.
Who hires one
When it makes sense to hire help
Sellers short of time
You have scrap to sell but not the hours to describe, list and answer buyers.
Sellers unsure how to describe it
You are not confident about grades, quantities or how to present a mixed load.
Buyers sourcing specific material
You need particular material and would rather someone screened listings and sellers for you.
Businesses without a dedicated person
Scrap sales or purchases happen too rarely to justify staff, but often enough to be a nuisance.
How it works
From request to completed deal in six steps
- Say what you needUse the form below to describe your material and what you want an agent to do.
- Choose an agentCompare agents on experience with your kind of material, then see how to choose a scrap agent.
- Set the commission and confirmYou set the commission percentage (the default is 5%) and confirm the hiring agreement. After that the rate is locked. The agreement checklist lists what to check.
- The agent creates listings or runs the dealThey work to the scope of the hiring agreement and keep you informed.
- The deal goes through the platformThe deal runs on ScrapTrade like any other. Ask the ScrapTrade team how the platform's usual protections apply to a deal an agent handles.
- The deal settles and the agent is paidThe agreed commission is settled through ScrapTrade. A seller's agent is paid from the seller's proceeds, and a buyer's agent is paid on top of the purchase price.
Ready to hand over the listing or the deal? Tell us what you need.
Request a scrap agentWhat it costs
One percentage, set before you confirm
| If a seller hires the agent | If a buyer hires the agent | |
|---|---|---|
| Who pays | The seller | The buyer |
| How | Deducted from the seller's proceeds at settlement | Added on top of the purchase price |
| Default and changes | 5% default, editable before you confirm, locked after | 5% default, editable before you confirm, locked after |
The other party's price is not affected: a seller's agent does not change what the buyer pays, and a buyer's agent does not reduce what the seller receives. See agent fees and commission for worked examples.
What stays with you
An agent acts for you, and the decisions are yours
An agent acts for you, but the deal is still yours. Only material you own or may sell should be listed, and you should check the scope of the hiring agreement before you confirm it. ScrapTrade does not guarantee the work of any agent or the outcome of any deal, so choose carefully and keep records.
Agent or broker?
Two different roles with similar names
A scrap agent is hired by a seller or buyer and earns a commission set at hiring. A scrap broker sources scrap from an original seller and resells it as a seller on ScrapTrade, with a margin arranged privately. To compare them, read scrap agent versus scrap broker or see the broker page.
In Australia
Selling or buying scrap in Australia
Whether you are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or a regional town, the same steps apply. Scrap dealing in Australia is shaped by state and territory rules, so ask your state regulator what applies to the material and the deal. Speak to a registered tax agent about whether you need an ABN and how GST applies to the commission and to the deal.
Request an agent
Tell us what you want an agent to do
Describe what you need. A member of the ScrapTrade team will reply by email about next steps. Sending this request does not commit you to hiring anyone.
Request a scrap agent
It takes about two minutes. We use these details only to follow up on your request.
Thanks, we have your request
We will email you shortly about next steps.
We will never sell your details. They are used only to follow up on your request.
Frequently asked questions
What is a scrap agent?
A scrap agent is someone a scrap seller or buyer hires to create listings or handle deals on their behalf. The agent acts for the person who hires them and earns a commission set at hiring.
Who pays the agent?
The seller or buyer who hires them. A seller's agent is paid from the seller's proceeds, and a buyer's agent is paid on top of the purchase price.
How much is the commission?
The hirer sets it as a percentage before confirming the hiring agreement. ScrapTrade suggests 5% as the default, and the hirer can change it before confirming. After confirmation it is locked.
What is the difference between an agent and a broker?
An agent is hired by a seller or buyer to work for them and earns a commission set at hiring. A broker sources scrap from an original seller and resells it as a seller, with a margin arranged privately.
Can an agent create listings for me?
Yes, creating listings on your behalf is one of the main things an agent can do, within the scope of your hiring agreement.
Does ScrapTrade guarantee the agent's work?
No. ScrapTrade does not guarantee any price, buyer, sale or the work of any agent. Choose carefully and keep records.
More about hiring a scrap agent
Related reading: How hiring an agent works · Hire an agent to sell your scrap · Hire an agent to buy scrap