How do I recover payment if a buyer ghosts me after picking up scrap on credit terms?
Short answer: Start with a formal written demand for payment referencing your agreed credit terms and delivery proof, and if that doesn't produce a response, escalate through whatever formal channel is available — a platform's dispute process if applicable, or for larger amounts, small claims proceedings or other appropriate legal recourse, depending on your jurisdiction and the amount involved.
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List Free →Why credit terms carry more risk than upfront payment
Agreeing to be paid after delivery, on credit terms, inherently shifts risk toward you as the seller — you’ve already given up the material before receiving payment, which is exactly why a buyer ghosting on credit terms is a more serious problem than a payment delay on an upfront-payment sale.
The first formal step
Send a clear, written demand for payment that references your specific agreed credit terms, the delivery date, and proof of delivery — this creates a documented record and is often enough to prompt a response from a buyer who was simply slow rather than deliberately avoiding payment.
Escalation if the formal demand doesn’t work
If a written demand goes unanswered, your options depend on the transaction size and your jurisdiction — smaller amounts may be worth pursuing through small claims processes, while larger amounts might justify formal legal advice; a platform-based dispute process, if the sale went through one, is also worth using if available.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
ScrapTrade’s escrow-protected payment structure is specifically designed to prevent the credit-terms ghosting scenario by holding funds securely rather than relying on a buyer’s promise to pay after the fact.
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