What's my recourse if a buyer claims my converter is "aftermarket" and pays a much lower price than an OEM one?
Short answer: Ask the buyer to explain specifically how they identified it as aftermarket — a legitimate identification is usually based on markings, construction, or a lookup against the original part number — and if you're not confident in their assessment, getting a second opinion from another buyer is a reasonable way to confirm whether the aftermarket classification, and the resulting lower price, genuinely holds up.
Skip the phone calls. List your catalytic converters or precious metal scrap once and let verified buyers on ScrapTrade come to you.
List Free →Why OEM versus aftermarket genuinely matters for price
Original equipment manufacturer converters typically have known, documented PGM loadings tied to their specific part number, while aftermarket replacement converters often use less precious metal content to reduce manufacturing cost — this is a real, legitimate distinction that affects actual value, not an arbitrary excuse.
What a legitimate identification looks like
A buyer genuinely identifying an aftermarket unit should be able to point to specific markings, stampings, or construction differences, or reference a lookup against the original OEM part number — a vague claim without any specific supporting detail is weaker grounds for a price reduction.
What to do if you’re not confident in the classification
If the explanation seems thin or you have reason to believe the converter is genuinely OEM, getting a second opinion from another buyer, ideally one who can independently assess the same specific unit, is a reasonable way to confirm whether the classification and resulting price actually hold up.
How ScrapTrade Makes This Easier
Comparing how different ScrapTrade buyers assess the same converter helps confirm whether an aftermarket classification is consistent across independent assessments or specific to one buyer’s claim.
Ready to sell your catalytic converters or precious metal scrap without the guesswork? ScrapTrade connects verified buyers and sellers with escrow-protected payments and transparent weighing.
List or Find Scrap on ScrapTrade →