Prepay!?

I think the risk to reward ratio is too great for buyers to take a chance.
It would have to be for the most well established customers who (in your case) regularly send in large loads, where a high percentage of the items test good for more than scrap value.
I have come to accept the fact that if I sell to various buyers where I need to ship items, there will be a delay in getting paid. That is just the nature of the beast. If I need to get paid right away, my sale is going to be made locally and is going to be for scrap value only.
Bottom line is that if I want more than scrap value and more than the local yards are paying, then I need to wait. Would I be tempted to try a buyer that offers pre-pay, yes. But I think any buyer that offers that would probably have to lower prices a little to make up for the risk they are taking.

I can understand the concerns. I think the current system exists because you have no idea what material you will be receiving. That makes sense. But as far as risk goes ... where else does a buyer get product before payment? With the current setup, the seller is taking all the risk. So it is just a matter of flipping the risk.

Originally Posted by mikeinreco

when I do ebay I am always pre-paid for product

The risk of buyer fraud still exists.

If you pay in advance, I would only do so with Paypal.

In my opinion, the customers you would gain by prepaying would not be customers you that would keep long term. The risk/reward ratio, and the additional time required when the shipment that arrived is not as presented, would not be worth it. You have more profitable things to do with your time than to try to collect on a $200 prepayment. The current method of business - we send material, you grade and sort to your specifications, you pay according to either the weight or the each price, you send payment, we jump up and down for joy that we got paid - is probably the best for the time being.

With all that being said, I have sent to material to a buyer (who is no longer on this threat), received confirmation that it was received, and never received payment. Did I pursue it? A little bit, until I realized that if I worked a bit faster I would recover in a few days and not be irritated anymore. From three other buyers (yourself included) I have had great experiences, with loads from a small box of processors to multiple gaylords of scrap. Sellers need to work with buyers with whom they trust either thru personal dealings or solid testimonials from other sellers.

The Chinese love to pre buy your stuff if you own a scrap yard specially there beloved precious red metals,if you open a yard usually within a couple of weeks they will be calling you or showing up offering you a boat load of money up front so you can buy them there Coppa!