How To Obtain Auto Parts At Discounted Prices
Shop around. There is a ton of money to be saved on your parts if you are willing to shop around. If you are buying from a dealer then it is a good idea to tell them if you have found the part cheaper, they will usually be more than willing to give you a better price.
Let us start with ease of obtaining. Obviously newer car parts will be easier to get than older ones. A friend of mine still has a 1975 Pontiac Lemans. To obtain parts for this car he has to literally go to junk yards and even online. No new car dealers keep parts beyond 10 years or so and even auto parts stores limit their inventory to cars under 20 years. A 30 year old vehicle is almost impossible to find parts for. Plus, if you can find the part, depending on where you get it, the cost could be anywhere from 20 to 100% over the original part cost. To say that late model car owners are taken advantage of would be a gross understatement.
If you don't have a title for the vehicle, you will need one of the following documents to sell the automobile: an auction sales receipt, a mechanic's lien, a salvage lot lien, or a repossession affidavit. A salvage lot can provide you with information on how to acquire these documents.
Once you have found that you can get your auto part there, you need to know if you will have to pull it on your own or if they have people that do that for you. This is a big deal because you could end up losing a whole afternoon to getting that one little auto part if you end up having to pull it on your own. If you are able to just go pick it up at the junk yard, you will only have to give a couple minutes of your time up for the auto part that you are getting. This could make a huge difference in the costs of the auto parts if you are not careful though.
Increase the light. Garages tend to be dark and dirty. Change the overhead light bulbs by installing a higher wattage light bulb. Wash the windows in the garage and clear the windows of any shelves or debris that's blocking the light.
No need to put in the extra mileage to get all the junk looking neat and pretty and in the proper categories. Worry about that for the stuff you're keeping. They'll take it however it is, in whatever disarray they find it. It's just going on a truck, after all!
The first place you should consider is your local auto wreckers or junkyard. You never know what hidden gem you may find amid the rubble. Often people will dispose of a vehicle without realizing the potential worth in it. Many would rather not invest the time and money necessary for the restoration of classic cars. That alone is a great way to get them to unload their classic on you. There is a good chance you will find an old car at the buckeye auto parts that has been left there due to age or missing parts. If restoration is what you plan, this can be a goldmine.
Scope out some car shows in your area or neighboring cities in order to meet other car lovers, and discover potential vehicle sales. There are a lot of informed people that may know of a good classic car being sold. Asking around lets others know what you are looking for so speak to people and get to know local car enthusiasts. A connection can always come in useful later.
There is no need for concern. Aftermarket car parts are produced with the same machinery and materials as OEM and genuine parts. While the parts may have a few minor differences in look and feel, they basically do the same job. The companies who manufacture these aftermarket auto parts are credible. They legitimately buy the rights to manufacture those parts.