Junkyard prices: How much haggling is too much?

Haven't been to one in a long time. Don't have them around here, got to drive at least two hours to get to one. EBAY is a lot easier, as are the classifieds on forums like this.

BTW: What is the going rate for admission into "pick up your parts"? Last one I was in was a buck! Probably 5-10 now days. I checked online and I used to get an automatic for $40, now up to near $90. Guess their insurance premiums have gone up, along with the EPA fees.

 

it depends on your junkyard guy.
Ours all i deal with have one price. They dont care of if I buy it I suspect because if I dont someone else will. That said sometimes I wince , sometimes I grin . In the end I and they are both happy BUT here is how learned not to be a idiot at the wrecking yard. Long ago (42 years ago) I was attending Trade school in Trenton Ont. Many of us apprentice Mech' were also hotrodders. One of my pals came in and told me the Gregory's auto wreckers had an Anglia or something in perfect shape as they were just there getting parts for thier winter beater. Gregory's know to us locals as Giggers were folks I knew. Friends of friends if you will. As soon as class got out three of us rushed over there in my 56 Plymouth . Sure enough right inside the gate about 50 feet sat this beautful green car. It wasnt an Anglia though it was a 48 Morris. If you haven't seen one maybe someone would be kind enough to post a photo. This one didnt have a mark on it. I went in and talked to Gigger. He told me this old gal had kept it in her garge for years after her husband died. She decided to bring it out and they discovered the motor was siezed. She called Gigger and here it sat. i asked what he wanted for it . (I had a 392 hemi then looking for a home) "For you Don," he said, "$175 bucks." My friends and i had dicussed the subject you are on right now so I "knew" it was just not normal to pay what was asked. I offered him $125. "Let me think about it ," he said. "Come back Wed. A week from now." Seemed like the longest week of my life. Next Wed we snuck out of school early and headed for Giggers. He was waiting and told us to follow him. He said he had something to show us. There in the exact same spot was a totally crushed 48 Morris about 7 inches high. He continued, "Don when I tell you $175 I mean $175 . Not $150 , Not $125. I offered you a good deal cause we are friends. Next time dont mess with me! I drove over it with the D8 seven times so you would get the picture" I left a sorry lad I will tell you. and I learned my lesson right there. The only question I ask now is do i need it . If it is too much I say "No thank you. I didnt want to put that much in the project" and walk away. My days of playing camel bazzar haggler are OVER! forever. I have learned as will you someday that the more I deal with a wreckers without hassling them the less I pay each time. I have also realized most of them dont need the money . They already have gold coming out their ears so they really dont care. Do you all understand?They dont need the money! Haggling annoys them and when I am annoyed I never give anyone a deal. Neither do you. So why would they?
Don

 

Yah I have a real hard time keeping my eyes on the road when Im passing through! I stoped and talked to him years ago he HATES Mopars. Theres a lot of neat stuff at his house too!

 

Always amazes me that some folks actually have a "HATE" for another make of car ---
unless it's a YUGO.

 

In all of my years, the worst thing that can happen if I say "I have an offer that's less than what you are asking", is a "No".

I've visited this thread a few times and with that in mind, last week when I went to my fav yard I looked around. No where did I see a sign that even suggested that "all prices quoted are Firm, we do not negotiate prices".

I can't see one single down-side for expressing an interest on getting a part for a lower price than quoted, understanding that that price is a completely arbitrary "artificial" applied amount. The junk yard manager has already put his 'top dollar' estimate on it and if I can get it for less, I will. I have proven that theory numerous times. Further, I have NEVER had hostility expressed to me because I attempted to haggle.