In my quest for a bumper for my 91 iS I went to a salvage yard. Now mind you I went there last week and negotiated a price, but the salesman I dealt with last week wasn't there. His coworker from the week before was there and I initially dealt with him. He told me,"Dude you should have took it last week at $150 you won't be able to this week." As I was preparing to go out and look at the fogs of the donor in question, I presume the "Boss" showed up. He said, "I was offered $175 for it already." I said,"Well I'd pay $175." He replies,"The price is $425, I could get that from any bodyshop." Then attempts to lecture me on the market of used parts and bodyshops. I would have mentioned to him that I am aware of the hows and whys of prices, having worked in a wrecking yard and managed one as well as being a contract hauler for an insurance company. Back in the day I asked one of the adjusters who frequently came by what their criteria was. I had seen him total cars that looked very salvageable. He said that once a car reached a certain age the company he worked for went by the state assesed value of the vehicle. Didn't matter how nice or well kept it was. So if we look at the math here's how it plays out. Washington stated a value of around $3200 for my iS. If you add up the $425 for the bumper then the $100 for the fogs(although the counter guy told me today he could cut me a deal for $80) we get $525 plus the cost of the trim strip labor and repaint. I'm pretty sure there isn't an insurance company that's gonna pay that bill. I had a good laugh as I walked out the door. Campbell Nelson is "Otay"!
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Its not (gold). And by a long shot too. There were TONS of these cars made and considering the avalability factors that your friend spoke of, parts of this nature are only starting to become prime. Meaning $50-$125 is the usual, depending on certain factors.
Btw, welcome to the board. FYI, internet forum etiquette dictates you should parse your delivery into breaths or concise thoughts. At least you didnt try to use all caps. ;) -
Sorry Bro' I was still in between fuming and laughing at stupidity.
Mainly threw this out to give someone less experienced a way to wrangle a deal by putting the facts out there.
I also wanted to warn folks local to Washington and Portland to Campbell Nelson's idiocy.Comment
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Originally posted by xLibelle View Post
Yea - you lost me after the first sentence.
So - you tried to buy a part, and the junk yard dog wanted too much? Call Joe Funk - he is a member of this board. And semi-local. You can't go wrong with "funkmaster".....Originally posted by Matt-BComment
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i think its more of laughing at the guy who tried to explain the details behind wanting an idiotic price. At least thats what i gather. Its actually an amusing topic if you yourself has ever been in the same situation.Originally posted by george graves View Post
Theres a yard several miles from my house that has in total around 12 e30 shells or better. Its a weird collection, a couple grey markets. Anyway, i continue to get a run around for special items or off the wall prices, somehow based on new price. How in the hell can thy expect to turn a profit if they want to rip everyone off like that?
Maybe its me? I'm some white kid coming in asking for import parts at a black family run place who's clientel are almost entirely caprieces, etc.
at my last visit, i was so pissed, and yet the situation was epic. Im in the parking lot, waiting for a part to be pulled and one of the imployees was wotking in an engine bay, got in the car cranked it and a gas like came off and doused the front of the car in flames! In an evil kinda way, i had hoped the family would get a little realization ... like a fire under their ass to improve thier business. Anyway, all i could or would do was sit and watch as it got a little crazy for a moment before the back pressure was finally done and the flames died.Comment
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I've had an offer from another member here about a bumper. I'm keeping "funkmasta" in mind though. The "masta" is like 6 hours away from me, but I have some friends in Portland who want me to come and visit, it's just a matter of timing.Comment
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