Common Junkyard Scams and How to Avoid Them
Everyone wants to squeeze as much money as they can from their business. Like any other endeavor, operating a junkyard is a business. Some owners will try to scam their customers to boost their profits.
It is easy to avoid a scam after learning a bit more about the industry.
Keep an eye on the paperwork
Taking a car to a salvage yard involves signing over the title of the vehicle. It’s what makes the transaction legal, and some junkyards promise to handle all the paperwork.
What they sometimes don’t do is cancel the registration. Not doing so can incur late fees, often sent by the junkyard for hauling and storing the car on the lot.
Take the money upfront
Junkyards often promise a certain amount of money for the junk car, only to lower their offer at the exchange. Salvage yards may promise to handle the transportation too. Any negotiation would rarely yield a positive result for the seller.
If the seller has to travel to reach the junkyard, the offer extended by the buyer may be even lower. Some buyers try to prey on a seller who has invested considerable effort and time to get there. They might not want to leave empty-handed.
Never hand over the paperwork and the car before you receive the check. Check for the promised amount first. Research junk car buyers and find one with good reviews and a spotless reputation to increase the odds of getting fair value.
Worthless incentives
Scam artists are known to get creative. A common scam involves promising a cash payment and various prizes. Unfortunately, paying in cash usually implies a shady evaluation at under-market rates.
Other junkyard operators have a more blunt approach. Some will try to get cars for free by telling the owner that they’re worthless. Even the most broken-down vehicle has some value once turned to scrap metal.
It’s also common to run into drivers and operators who act like used car dealers. They talk people up, take too much time doing the inspection, and confuse the seller at every corner. By the time the junk car owner does the math, the junkyard may have copped a great deal.
Failure to offer free towing
Usually, one would expect the quote to include the cost of towing. After all, few cars that make it to the junkyard can get there without transportation. Tow-truck drivers often ask for a fee at pickup. They may even refuse to take the vehicle to the junkyard until the seller pays.
Due diligence is key
It’s also a fact that many junkyards operate without a license. Some try to steal good cars as scrap to resell for profit. Others try to make every car seem worthless so they can pay pennies on the dollar. Researching the available options and finding reputable businesses is the best way to avoid scams.
If you are in the Phoenix Metro area and want a no-hassle cash offer on an old, wrecked, unwanted, salvage or burned car, SUV, van or truck, give us a call at I Buy Junk Cars. 480-771-8290.