Chat with a scrappy guy at Pick-n-Pull changed how I shop now

I was at the Pick-n-Pull off of 82nd last Saturday pulling a alternator off a 2002 Civic and this older fella next to me was grabbing a whole intake manifold for his S10. He told me he stopped buying any parts new unless it was gaskets or sensors cause he figures junkyards have everything he needs if he just takes his time. He said "new parts are for people who don't trust their own hands" and that hit me different cause I've spent way too much cash on basic stuff like a radiator from AutoZone that cost me $120 when I could have pulled one for $25. Now I'm rethinking every single purchase I make for my project. Has anyone else had a junk yard guru drop some wisdom on you that made you change your whole approach?

2 comments

2 Comments

grant.luna8d ago

Can't fully agree with that take. That AutoZone radiator came with a warranty and I knew it would fit without having to fight rusted bolts for an hour. Picked a brake caliper off a wrecked Focus once and the bleeder valve was stripped, wasted my whole Saturday going back for another one. There's something to be said for knowing the part in your hand has never been exposed to road salt and corrosion. Sometimes paying extra just means you're buying your own time back.

patricia427d ago

Seen this play out in so many areas of life, not just car parts. People will spend hours hunting for a deal on a used couch, then end up with one that has a weird smell or a busted spring. Meanwhile the new one from a normal store would have just worked and been delivered. There's this whole idea that saving money always means you're being smart, but sometimes the cheapest path costs you more in hassle and frustration down the road. Time and peace of mind are a real currency too, your mileage just varies on what you're willing to trade for them.