Junkyard Poll How Do You Roll?

[rbpwrd240]

So I went to the yard today to dig through all the car for desirable items and I noticed a lot of people scrounging items out of cars all around me. Then later at check out these same folks either didn't buy anything at all but carried parts for paying buddies. or payed for said parts while others carried them. I saw a scam but a fairly interesting one; a scam none the less.

3-4 guys were there pillaging cars for whatever fit in their pockets mainly interior bits, injectors etc. Meanwhile two other guys went and hit a few worth while items that could be purchased and resold while also filling their pockets.

So I found it funny at the time and after thinking about it some more I wondered how everyone else rolls.

By the way these guys didn't look like junkies but more like a well oiled chop shop operating out of a junkyard with minimal tools and fast action. They were all in their mid twenties or so.

[corkscrew]

2 tool bags in case i find something awesome to pull. Normally I'll grab small stuff and pay for big items

[LockOn!]

Hardware, fasteners, etc, pockets.


Actual shelvable inventory, pay.

[Gingersmurf]

I only go to the junkyard when i need items that i cannot get easily locally. Ive recently picked up 3 nx1600 clusters, an s2000 cluster, digital climate control bits, sub-wiring harness, relays, and a ton of the little plastic trim pieces that were in better shape than mine. I always pay for everything, because if everyone steals shit eventually there will be a point where they have to enforce anti-theft rules and it will take forever to checkout, or they will pack up shop completely. I will grab the fasteners for any thing i pay for though, just so i have the right bolts and whatnot for it

As for tools, I take a small tool box with some cutters/pliers, mallet, couple screw drivers, impact gun, and a small metric socket set. I also keep a sledge hammer in the car, but i don't lug that around with me unless i need it. Don't really need anything else when you're hunting for Nissan parts.

[ZenkiKid]

toolbag with sockets and wrenches going up to at least 18mm. Cargo shorts with gloves in them.

if I dont find what I am looking for I just grab some bulbs or small bits like fasteners or bolts I may need just to make up for the admission. Its stuff they were gonna throw away anyway so they dont care.

[deolio]

the last time i went and put a couple bolts on the counter with whatever else i was getting they told me no charge for the bolts. i think it's more effort to look up the price of hardware than it's worth. just throw that shit with my tools now and they never say anything ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[iJDM]

Personally, I use flipping junkyard parts as my second source of income after my full time job. I do my research on the current market using recently sold items on ebay.

Personally I put anything I'm taking on the counter to pay for. It's not worth getting in trouble for something stupid.

Often times the cashier won't make you pay for bolts, some wiring, small things like that. All the cashiers know me and how honest I am by now, and won't make me pay anything for small to medium sized items.

By now, if I take 5 items now, I usually only pay for 2. Regardless of size or significance.


Honesty pays off, and since you're getting the parts for so cheap, why shouldn't you be honest. It pays off more in the long run and you have nothing to lose that way...

Anyone that puts parts in their toolbag is moronic, when every junkyard I've ever seen days "NO PARTS ALLOWED IN JUNKYARD, TOOLS ONLY"

all it takes is one "bags checker" having a bad day to see that and call the police on you. Is it likely? Not at all. Is it possible? Absolutely. And to me it's not at all worth the risk.


Junkyards are fun and a great place to be, just treat them well and I promise they will do the same for you.

[AnonymousBlackX]

every time I go to the junk yard I leave my tools in the truck and if I find something worth the work I will pick it up, I've only turned a few items on ebay, few ecu's made some good money.

[SoundEfx]

What ever could fit in my tool box is going with me. Bigger items will be paid for.

[Sumslapper]

I bring just a backpack with the basics. 8mm-21mm sockets and (36mm?) axle socket. Then 8mm-19mm wrenches, 10mm box wrench, BFH, couple screwdrivers, and snips/shears. Pocket nuts and bolts, pay for everything else because I'm not a buster ass trick.

I went to the Junkyard in Sacramento about 3 weeks ago. There was a few J30's with diffs and 6 bolt axles on all of them, untouched. I was feeling to lazy to pull them though.

[Rob's S14]

Wow, pretty disappointing how many people (fellow zilvians) steal. Yes the parts are small and may end up being trashed by them, but leave it up to them to say no charge. iJDM and Ginger had it right, junkyard parts aren't worth being arrested.

As for tools, an adjustable wrench, two combo wrenches, and screwdrivers. I leave the rest in the car if needed, don't want to be lugging it around.

[rbpwrd240]

^^^^????^^^^