While junk yards are one of the most common places where you can find used parts, they’re not the only places. Though, you will always get much better deals at junkyards than any other place. Most of the damaged and old vehicles always have a number of spares that work perfectly well. Sometimes these parts are almost new. The only problem with junkyards is that at most of the times you will have to locate and remove the spare part yourself. On the flipside, this saves your money on labor charges that some other dedicated stores might charge you.
Also the automotive service business and the backyard mechanic will be affected because those cars that were scrapped cannot be used for parts. So if you go to a salvage yard, different from a car part out near me, you won’t be able to find a good used part to fix your (clunker?) car. And if you can find used parts look to pay 20%-30% more due to shortage.
There are a number of websites today that feature a list of auto salvage suppliers who can hook you up with the used car parts you need. The process is simple and you can find what you are looking for from the comfort of your own home. Searching for options online can save you the trouble of running from one salvage yard to another or making unnecessary calls to salvage yards you know nothing about.
Before the internet age the auto parts industry had been primarily occupied by the big conglomerates such as NAPA, Checker and a few others but thanks to the internet this is changing. Today anyone who has an access to the internet has the opportunity to unlimited potential, and better yet create it from the comfort of their home. According to eBay motors 4.5 billion dollars worth of automotive related items are sold annually making it the most profitable sectors on eBay. The majority of sellers are ordinary people who buy and sell for a profit.
To start off, try checking out a junk yard. Usually, people don’t throw away individual parts, they throw away entire machines. These machines may have a few bad parts, but the ones you’re looking for could be in perfect condition. On top of that, you’ll get them for next to nothing. Not to mention it’s a great place to find obsolete models.
If what you are hunting has small parts like screws and washers, take a Ziploc baggy with you too. This will make sure you don’t lose them somewhere in the junkyard!
In fact most cities have codes, and code enforcers who drive around just looking for such “offences” so they can write you a little “nastygram.” All kidding aside… A refrigerator is a BIG safety hazard when it comes to little children, which I’ll discuss further in detail.
Be willing to give in a little bit on the value that you expect to receive. If the insurance company is increasing their offer to you, then in the spirit of fair business dealings, you should reduce your demand. Always move in small increments, don’t give away the house or settle for too little (insurance adjusters are trained to move as little as possible to try and settle low, so why shouldn’t you do the same, but in an attempt to settle high?). Be confident in your negotiation, but don’t be over-confident. Remember if you fight for every penny, you will likely spend at least a few hundred dollars fighting, you know? And it is possible that you have overlooked something that an adjuster or attorney has already found.
Today, everything is computerized with each item stored within a database. Every radiator, passenger seat, water pump, and stereo knob can be accounted for with a few clicks of a button. If you need to find a specific item, you won’t be forced to spend hours digging through a dirty lot. Just ask an attendant to check the database. What’s more, a lot of salvage yards are now connected through a network. If one location cannot find a component in their database, they can check the databases of other locations.
In some cases, new parts can rarely be managed from the manufacturer and even too much costly. You can easily find a good replacement of new parts from your nearby junkyards. Some automotive parts remain in good condition even though the car is damaged. If you can manage your required parts from the junkyard, then it would save a huge from your budget.