Thread: Junkyard Etiquette?

This may seem like a weird question, but how do I find a junkyard near me and what is the protocol?

Am I allowed to just walk in and start taking things? That seems odd to me.

When my brother totaled his mustang, we went to the collision place where they towed it, so he could get his plates and other valuables from it. But we were surprised that overnight, no one took the radio or anything that he had in there, especially since the windows were open, which leads me to believe people aren't allowed to just stroll in there.

Otherwise, wouldn't people just hang out there all the time waiting for cars to get towed in to see what they could get?

Do you have to pay for anything you take? You can just go into one of these cars and take the parts you want?

I don't know, maybe I'm thinking of it wrong, but I'd love to know how to go junkyardin' and if I should know anything before going.

Thanks!

depends on where you go really. some places may charge an entrance fee, others may just see what you've taken and charge based only on that.

It all depends, but either way it's always a good time to go to the j yard. You never knew what good stuff you can find there.

pick n pull and u pik it type places generally have an entrance fee you go in find what ya need dismantle it and pay at the front
others are more controlled you tell them what your looking for or need and they will get it or help you find it

just look in the phone book under auti dismantlers or auto recyclers

yea Ive actually pretty happy where im at theres a few i can walk through and all gm stuff is in front Now parts for my buddys kia are in japan land like 1/2 mile towards the back

Kinda reminds me i should go hunting see what i can find

Wow every yard Ive been to lets you walk in the yard. If I walked into a JY and they said they had to get the part, Id turn around and leave.

Although I have noticed the yards that charge like $1 or whatever to enter tend to sell parts for cheaper than yards that let you enter for free.

At my yard I go sign in by the counter, walk in, take what I need, go make em an offer on it at the counter, pay, they check my toolbox to make sure I didn't jack anything, and I leave. That's how most yards are.

Originally Posted by BwolfGT

they check my toolbox to make sure I didn't jack anything, and I leave.

They don't check your pockets.

Originally Posted by SuperSport

They don't check your pockets.

Oh you mean that spot on your pants where GTP badges fit perfectly?

i live in los angeles, and the yards here are pretty cool..
very small entrance fees, and very low cost for parts
only problem is that people really do wait for new things to come in.. all 3800 cars ive seen have had their whole engine/tranny, etc. taken first LOL. even the damn car fire ones were taken

Idk if it is a junkyard I guess it isn't to bad to steal junk not to mention the turn around they make on most cars, but who am I to justify stealing from a junkyard?

ya, The Pick-and-pull in Calgary is expensive for most stuff... they dont care what it came from or what shape it is in, they have set prices... like a alternator is the same price if it is off a 1980 honda, or off a 2009 lexus.... so some ppl get good deals, and others get screwed. And now I am in Red Deer and there is a guy that says he has a bunch of GP's, but when I ask him for parts he doesent know if he has them..? and when I call back, he still doesent know. I asked him if I could come have a look, cuz there is a handfull of things I wanted to get, but he doesent want ppl to know where his cars are...