How Our Scrap Yard Works
Selling scrap metal at QuickStop Metals is simple. Three steps — no faff, no waiting, same day payment.
Opening Hours — All Three Scrap Yards
Preston, Stockport, and Sheffield all operate the same hours.
Non-Ferrous & Ferrous Metals We Accept
Domestic and trade — we take pretty much anything metal.
Calibrated Scales — You See the Reading
Transparent weighing is non-negotiable. You watch the display yourself.
Every QuickStop yard uses Avery-certified digital platform scales. When your metal is weighed, the display faces you — you see exactly the same number we do. There are no hidden deductions, no "docking" for moisture or dirt, and no adjustments after the fact. What the scale reads is what we pay against.
We separate and grade your metal correctly. If you bring a van with copper, aluminium, and steel mixed together, we'll sort it out and weigh each grade separately — that way you get the right price for the high-value material rather than a blended rate pulled down by the steel. Grading correctly takes a few minutes and it's almost always worth it.
If you're unsure how to present your load for the best return, just ask when you arrive. Our team grades metal all day — we can quickly tell you whether separating something is worth the effort given today's prices.
How and When You Get Paid
BACS bank transfer — typically in your account within 2 hours of leaving the yard.
We pay by BACS bank transfer only. No cash, no cheques. This isn't bureaucracy — it's a legal requirement under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, which prohibits cash payments for scrap metal. Every legitimate scrap yard in the UK operates this way.
On your first visit you'll need to register your bank details. Bring your sort code and account number — you can find these on your bank card or in your banking app. Once registered, future visits are faster because your payment details are already on file.
Payment is processed the same day. For most customers, money arrives within an hour or two of leaving the yard. Occasionally bank processing means it appears the following morning — this is rare but can happen with some banks on late-afternoon transactions.
VAT: If you're VAT-registered, ask for a VAT receipt at the yard. We can issue purchase documentation for every transaction. If you're selling as an individual or a non-VAT-registered business, no VAT applies to the transaction on your side.
ID Requirements — Why We Need Them and What to Bring
Required by law. Takes 2 minutes on your first visit.
Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, we are legally required to verify the identity of every person who sells metal to us, and to record their details. This is not optional — failure to comply carries serious penalties for us as a licensed dealer. The law was introduced to combat metal theft, and it works: legitimate sellers have nothing to worry about and the process is quick.
On your first visit you need to bring:
- Photo ID — driving licence or passport
- Proof of address — utility bill, bank statement, or council tax letter dated within the last 3 months
- Bank details — sort code and account number for your BACS payment
Once registered, you don't need to bring proof of address again. Photo ID is required on every visit. If you're selling on behalf of a company, we'll also need a confirmation letter or Companies House printout on your first visit.
We retain your records for a minimum of three years as required by law, and they may be inspected by police or licensing officers on request. Our full privacy policy explains how your data is handled.
How to Maximise Your Payout
Five practical things that make a real difference to what you receive.
1. Separate your grades. Mixed loads get blended prices. Copper in one bag, aluminium in another, steel in a separate pile. Even a rough separation by metal type — copper from brass from aluminium — makes a measurable difference on any load over 20kg.
2. Remove steel from non-ferrous. Steel nuts, bolts, and iron fittings mixed into a copper or brass load pull the grade down. A minute with a pair of grips removing obvious steel contamination before you arrive is usually worth it.
3. Don't burn cable. Burning insulation is illegal and damages the copper — oxidised, burnt wire grades lower than properly stripped wire. Use a mechanical stripper if you want the bright wire price.
4. Check today's prices before you travel. Our prices page updates every working day. Copper in particular can move 5–8% in a week. For a significant load, it's worth a quick check before a long drive.
5. Ask about trade accounts. If you visit more than once a month, a trade account gets you preferential rates and dedicated service. Ask at the yard or contact us to set one up.
Ready to sell or have a question?