Be a Smarter Auto Parts Shopper
Have you ever called an auto dealership for a replacement part but almost dropped the phone when they proudly announced the extremely high price? It’s not unheard of for the parts department at your local car dealer to mark up prices up to 5,000% over their cost. They get away with it because a lot of car owners don’t know that there are more affordable options available. Take the time to shop around and compare prices. For even bigger savings, shop at the junkyards.
Do Your Research
Before making a purchase from a local salvage yard or online shop, make sure the business is legitimate. Inquire about any warranties, guarantees and refund policies. No matter how affordable a part is, don’t get stuck with it just because you clicked buy without reading the small print. If you’re shopping online, check their shipping costs. Some offer free shipping, period. Others offer free shipping after you spend a specific amount. You may find an amazing price on a part and hit the checkout page only to find that the shipping costs twice as much as the product. If you have the luxury of time, shop around before you buy
Always Verify Parts Numbers
You can often get the correct part number that you need by calling the dealership, checking online or referring to the manual in your glove box. Confirming your part number saves you money, time and the headache of having to make an exchange, or worse, being stuck with a part you can’t use. Some parts will fit multiple years while others are unique to a certain model or engine type. Make sure you know what you are looking for without just guessing it’ll fit your car.
Don’t Shop Craigslist
Honestly, you will be better off if you skip all of the selling forums and apps. We know that your friend’s cousin’s sister’s uncle got an absolutely wonderful deal on Craigslist but that isn’t the norm. Everything you purchase from a private seller is sold-as is so it’s possible to buy an engine that doesn’t even run. The seller isn’t a business so they have no obligation to refund your money or swap out the defective part.
Don’t forget there is also a chance that what you are looking at is a scam. If any buyer wants you to send any funds first, end the communication because you are about to send money to someone who has no intention of giving you the part you paid for. The person may not even have the actual part. Some scammers will continue to post the same photos and products in different online groups or apps until they get caught.
Shop For Your Parts In Person
These days everyone buys groceries, clothing, plants and even car parts from online sellers like Amazon, eBay or just about any other retailer with an online shop. There’s nothing wrong with buying parts online but sometimes, that in-person assistance is priceless. For a quick drive to the local salvage yard, you have friendly, knowledgeable staff in front of you that can guide you and answer any questions you may have. Creating that customer-business relationship at a local business is not something that is possible when you shop online.
Shop Our Junkyard Online or Visit Our Used Car Parts Store
At Gardner Auto Parts, we want to make sure you get the right part the first time. Whether you call our shop or stop in, we will make every effort to help you get the correct parts and accessories. When it comes to replacing parts or making repairs on your European or Japanese vehicles, we are the local parts experts.
Our friendly staff is available to assist you with finding the right part or accessory you need. We also sell OEM parts at a fraction of the cost of buying new parts without sacrificing quality or reliability. Shop our large inventory of European and Japanese OEM car parts online or visit our Pompano Beach junkyard at 2090 NW 21st Street, just south of Copans Road. For faster service, give us a call at 954-972-9407.
Gardner Auto Parts warranties each part sold for 90 days. We also will ship your car parts to you across the street or across the country!