What's my recourse if the copper I received is heavily oxidised despite being sold as "bright and clean"?
Short answer: Document the actual condition with clear photos immediately upon receipt, before any further handling, and raise the discrepancy with the seller directly, referencing the specific grade description you were sold against — a legitimate grading mismatch, especially one as visually apparent as heavy oxidation on material sold as bright and clean, is a reasonable basis to request a price adjustment or partial refund.
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Source Scrap →Why this kind of grade mismatch is usually straightforward to establish
Heavy oxidation is visually obvious and well-understood as a distinct condition from bright, clean copper — this isn’t a subtle or ambiguous quality difference, which makes it a relatively clear-cut basis for a dispute compared to more nuanced grading disagreements.
What to document immediately
Clear, well-lit photos of the material’s actual condition upon receipt, ideally before any further handling or mixing with other stock, give you concrete evidence of the discrepancy between what was described and what actually arrived.
What a reasonable resolution looks like
Depending on the severity, a price adjustment reflecting the material’s actual grade, rather than the originally invoiced “bright and clean” price, is a reasonable outcome — the specific adjustment should reflect the real difference in value between the two grades for the quantity involved.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Buyers sourcing through ScrapTrade can reference the original listing description directly when raising a grade discrepancy, giving a clear, documented basis for the dispute.
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