dodgy automotive spare parts/wreckers

J_Putz · 30-11-2010, 03:48 PM

I have made many trips to numerous wreckers and I am beginning to strongly get the impression that unless you are spending big they aren't likely to be of any help.
I was at a wreckers today to try and get some odd bits. I tell him what I need and he says someone will be with me shortly. I sit and wait. In the mean time 3 people who walked in after me were greeted served and sent on their merry way.
I got up and asked had I misunderstood them because I still haven't been served.
The man claims it was a mistake so I accept his excuse and tell him no harm's been done.
I am finally served by a very insincere man. After telling him what I want he soon returns with nothing for me and suggests I should try a specific car wreckers. I point to where his wrecking yard has exact said vehicles and ask if he could check that one. It was literally ten yards off the main walkway and not inside the main fenced area.
I try to follow him and he says I need to stay back, hesitates for a minute then says that they dog will eat me.
In the 40 minutes I spent waiting I never saw a dog in that area. All I saw was a beware of dog sign which was on the fence to the closed off area.
I respect his wishes but know full well he just doesn't want to sell the parts to me. He returns after only seconds (obviously didn't even look) and says no.

And in the 40 minutes I was there I heard them openly and loudly gossip/trash talk about a handful of their other customers. One of their staff was even bragging that a work mate agressively threatened a customer recently.

That is the final straw. From now on I buy all my parts online.
The high value of the aussie dollar is resulting in increased internet sales. It is a fact this is taking a huge chunk out of local businesses income. You would think they would be trying harder to satisfy local punters.

GTP 044 · 30-11-2010, 03:59 PM

Try FTg Auto salvage mate, one of the Forum sponsors. I have used them a few times and can vouch for them as I am sure heaps of other AFF users will do too.

Cheers,
Greg.

Yellow_Festiva · 30-11-2010, 04:08 PM

Are you a youngish chap??

I had similar experiences with all the wreckers I dealt with while trying to repair my first car myself at 17 after a small prang.

They seemed to enjoy walking over young people who perhaps didn't have the voice of an older person, or the ability to stand up for themselves.

One wrecker said he had the exact parts I needed, in the right colour and were directly bolt on items. (some front end parts). I told him how lucky I was, and that it would make my repair a whole lot easier.

He dragged the first part back (a guard) along the floor, paint side down, scraping the crap out of it down to the metal. He then plonked it on the counter and asked to be paid prior to getting the rest (bonnet, bumper and stone apron).

I started to get angry.. I questioned him as to why he would be so rough and that I now needed to prep and paint the whole guard due to his actions. After all, the guard weighed all of 7 or 8kg.

By this time, 40 minutes had passed (the regular big spenders were also served after my arrival), and mum (who was waiting in the car) walked into the place to see where I was mid conversation. When she heard what happened she said to just lest go and leave the parts.

The guy then tried to get a 're-stocking fee' for the guard... mum told him where to go in ways that I can't post here.

fmc351 · 30-11-2010, 04:32 PM

Mate, try another wrecker. They arent all like that. My local went and ripped two old rims off car for me to use as car stands, $10.

What were you after?

FNQracing · 30-11-2010, 05:36 PM

Not all are the same, but many cater for the trade, and really can't be stuffed with Wally the Weekend Warrior wanting $4.50 worth of parts who is more than likely going to bring the items back anyway as they are the wrong size/type/color. The weekend warriors do cause them a fair bit of grief with mucking them about.

Not right, but its the way it is.

Kryton · 30-11-2010, 05:39 PM

Im going to take a stab here and ask if its a Ballarat wreckers?
Sounds like the exact same attitude i got from one in particular.
Even as far as bagging out previous customers that had come in and left in the time that i was there.

Magna · 30-11-2010, 06:08 PM

or just head to a self serve wrecker they are the easiest to deal with cause you can check out the parts first and take what you need.

ThaFlash · 30-11-2010, 06:15 PM

Yeap wreckers are a funny breed of people, but like everything, if you pay your dues, you will get that little bit extra you are looking for.

And if you can make people laugh, even strangers, you will find the come onside real quick

Another vote here for FTG Auto Salavage, those guys go above and beyond the call of duty sometimes.

**ebxr8240** · 30-11-2010, 06:17 PM

They wander why we buy on line ???

Jim Goose · 30-11-2010, 06:57 PM

some wreckers dont allow people in because of insurance reasons.
I have been to some where they will allow you to pull stuff off cars and others wont.

302 XC · 30-11-2010, 08:35 PM

Insurance as mentioned is certainly a major issue these days
So is the five finger discount brigade

As many wreckers as ive had to deal with over the years,
most have been very reasonable
The more you buy the more discount and general knowledge and assistance you get

geckoGT · 30-11-2010, 08:47 PM

FTG are great in Vic, not so if you don't and you need the part in a hurry.

I was after a throttle body to suit a ford and a local wrecker had a heaps sitting on engines. They told me I could not have one because they will only sell a complete engine. I thought the idea or wreckers was to buy the parts you need, sometimes it is an engine and sometimes it is individual parts. Seems the days of going in and buying an individual part such as a cylinder head are gone, now you have to buy the whole engine. It's not like back in the 80's when I was buying cylinder heads etc to keep the paddock basher going.

Every wrecker I have been to recently have been a pain in the neck and rude as hell, seems they do not need my business.

GreenR · 30-11-2010, 10:29 PM

Probably not allowed but I think we should be able to name and shame these places. They only have themselves to blame for their actions and poor customer service. Hopefully begins to teach them to never underestimate how word can spread

ZDI-970 · 30-11-2010, 10:40 PM

ive had good dealings with the wreckers i go to, the owner even offered to bring a part off one of his cars from home for me... good prices too

GoldCoastGTP · 30-11-2010, 10:43 PM

I had one on the sth side of Brissy root me around and tried to rip me a new ahole when I confronted him on the dodgy dealings
Went back there a few days later in the discount uniform with a few boys from another unit and went thru every car in a time wasting look for stolen parts that took a few days and a heap in lost trade for him

tankclare · 30-11-2010, 10:43 PM

I love our local wreckers.. We know them pretty well. We were there on saturday and he seen us get out of the car. He said "just help yourself fellas, you know where the tools are" haha. Thats how it usually is.

Took a mate to get a valiant front bumper for his sons burnout car and there was a mint VF ute sitting there with only 2 spots of rust about the size of 5 cent coins. We asked about it and the wrecker bloke said the fella who took it there only just gave it to his mate this morning for nothing. We kept asking about it and really looking at it (mate is the biggest mopar nut and could tell you every little detail). Then when we were leaving the wrecker said if the fella dont come back by the end of the week to get it he can have it for scrap value. Safe to say my mate might have finally found a new home for his 930hp 588 big block :-)

Also some people need to visit pick n payless wreckers in blacktown. $2 entry fee and take your own tools and go crazy. Just pay for the bits on the way out

Feathers · 01-12-2010, 12:17 AM

Another vote for FTG here. Always helpful.

Dad and I used to go to a wrecker in Chipping Norton that was a pick your own type place, and it depended on who was working that day, but I went in a few times alone and they gave me really good prices on the parts I needed.

One of the boys even booted out a group of guys who were harrassing me in the yard.

frd906 · 01-12-2010, 02:05 AM

lol which state are you talking about ones in queensland and pretty good

midnightXR6 · 01-12-2010, 08:06 AM

I would highly rate FTG and Darren as he has always sent me little bits ive needed overseas but also genuine ford filters etcand hopefully bigger bits once he gets some FPV bodyparts in. Its very rare to find a place to do that even a couple of main dealers were not interested in sending me parts over. They wanted me to send my own courior to them and ship it back to me.

Most of the UK scrappies let you walk around but you have to wear high vis jackets.

saber · 01-12-2010, 09:51 AM

Another vote for FTG. Always helpful, and have been a pleasure to deal with.

OP if you can, try a self service wrecker. Places such as u-pickit, Pick apart and Harvey wreckers (for you mornington peninsula blokes. Not sure of the dude behind the counters name, but he is fantastic to deal with) are great places.
As somebody else previously stated, you pay an entrance fee (usually $1 or $2), you bring your own tools and you grab what you need off the cars in the yard.
At the end of your trip, you pay for what you’ve removed.

ZA-289 · 01-12-2010, 11:45 AM

I work in a Distmantling yard.

Some places charge $75 MIMIMUM these days
We charge $20 Minimum. It really is how you come across, ie First impressions. If you are a ****** you will get nothing, if you are a good bloke we will go out of our way.

But we are running a business not a charity, you want us to spend half an hour chasing 3 clips for you its not going to happen.

**Mesa** · 01-12-2010, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZA-289

I work in a Distmantling yard.

Some places charge $75 MIMIMUM these days
We charge $20 Minimum. It really is how you come across, ie First impressions. If you are a ****** you will get nothing, if you are a good bloke we will go out of our way.

But we are running a business not a charity, you want us to spend half an hour chasing 3 clips for you its not going to happen.

I've worked in various parts places and dealt often with wreckers. There's the old adage that the customer is alway's right. If he's after three clips and you won't sell them, then why are you in business?? His $30 is as good as anyones. Can you afford to turn away customers if your running a business because your too lazy??

Your attitude at the counter will convey how the customer presents himself. If your leaning all over the counter looking down on the customer until he's basically licking your *** or ignoring him while you dribble **** about the last customer or last nights **** up, then you shouldn't be on the front counter.

If your too lazy to dismantle a car for the part or even find if you have one, why do you have a job?? The business is there to make money and profit. Anyone who presents at the front counter is someone who want's to part with his cash. Why make the experience that unpleasant he doesn't want to return or worse still, go somewhere else?? If the customers a ****, it's up to you not to stoop to their level. Again, his money is as good as the next blokes. It's called profesionalism. Make the customer want to come back and spend his money.
If you can't do that, why are you working there?

aussie muscle · 01-12-2010, 12:31 PM

only wreckers i'm familiar with is Flynn's in Cooma. they are a family business and quite friendly. when i wanted some toyota parts for mum's car, he gave me some tools to get em myself. walking around the yard is a treat if you like old rusty cars, he says he's got 4000 cars on site.

xisled · 01-12-2010, 01:54 PM

Some wreckers who employee people, do not want small jobs.

The reason being, a small job may be only get them a few dollars in profit and its cost more for the wrecker to pay the employee to pull the part from the car. The owner probally has other bigger jobs that the employee needs to do. Try find a family run wrecker, you will probally have bettter luck with smaller parts.

ZA-289 · 01-12-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingy351

I've worked in various parts places and dealt often with wreckers. There's the old adage that the customer is alway's right. If he's after three clips and you won't sell them, then why are you in business?? His $30 is as good as anyones. Can you afford to turn away customers if your running a business because your too lazy??

Your attitude at the counter will convey how the customer presents himself. If your leaning all over the counter looking down on the customer until he's basically licking your *** or ignoring him while you dribble **** about the last customer or last nights **** up, then you shouldn't be on the front counter.

If your too lazy to dismantle a car for the part or even find if you have one, why do you have a job?? The business is there to make money and profit. Anyone who presents at the front counter is someone who want's to part with his cash. Why make the experience that unpleasant he doesn't want to return or worse still, go somewhere else?? If the customers a ****, it's up to you not to stoop to their level. Again, his money is as good as the next blokes. It's called profesionalism. Make the customer want to come back and spend his money.
If you can't do that, why are you working there?

For starters the customer wont part with $30 for 3 clips he wants to pay $5-even when I explain that it will take me 20mins to get said clips. In the time i spend getting his 3 clips for $5- I could have missed half a dozen phone calls from people chasing motors or gearboxes and could have sold $10,000 worth of parts. Once again we are here to make money and we can afford to turn away the time waster and his clips. If the customer will pay the $20 minumum charge he will get his clips.

XRFutura · 01-12-2010, 05:20 PM

I had a similar experience down at a large wrecker down in blacktown, asked for a price on two Fairmont taillights and was basicly told to f-off, went to my local wrecker after that expecting the same, but they were totally different, were really helpfull and ended up being $40 cheaper.

Then I was installing the XR seats into my futura and one of the clips that hold the head rest in was broken, the guys at the local wreckers had a El wagon there, I asked if could get the clip myself, they gave me some tools and told me to get what ever i needed off the wagon. If I ever need some parts they are now my first port of call.

Eleanor · 01-12-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plarazza

Probably not allowed but I think we should be able to name and shame these places. They only have themselves to blame for their actions and poor customer service. Hopefully begins to teach them to never underestimate how word can spread

Maybe we all just start giving a plug for the good guys. That way people will know who to buy from and who to avoid without having to name them (which is frowned upon on most forums these days.)

Bobman · 01-12-2010, 05:53 PM

This is why you should get whatever you need from self-serve yards. Most have car models up to 2002.

The biggest problem with wreckers is the prices they charge for parts. You can get most parts on eBay for half the price and don't have to put up with the hassle. Makes you wonder if some parts places even want any business.

I've seen wreckers charge 20% higher prices for used parts than what you can buy brand new from a dealer.

b2tf · 01-12-2010, 05:58 PM

Most wreckers I've dealt with are thieves that sell crap parts for top dollar. I just keep looking for the stuff I need now, havent actually been to a wreckers in months.

Road Games · 01-12-2010, 06:20 PM

I have never had a problem and apart from purchasing for myself i also buy for others while i'm there, hey Linz

I generally approach the counter, stretch out my hand , announce myself, state what im looking for and ASK if i may search for myself so i dont tie them up and i still have all my limbs......

Communication isnt hard if you have the right attitude and people skills