# Why do junkyards have core charges for trash parts? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 3, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898 "2020-01-03T19:52:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/1 "2020-01-03T19:52:02Z")
When I’ve gotten parts from the junkyard, they often have a core charge associated with them. This is true for many different parts from large to small. I can kind of understand something like a hood having a core charge since it would have some scrap metal value, but I’ve had core charges for all kinds of trash parts like door latches, air intakes, side mirrors, etc. I can’t imagine that any of those minor parts that I bring back to get the core charge refunded have any scrap value to the junkyard. I would think they all go straight into the trash. Is there some legitimate reason for those core charges, or are they just a way for the junkyard to make extra profit from people who don’t go back? ---
**Author:** ![excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e8c25b/32.png) [@excavating\_for\_a\_mind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/excavating_for_a_mind)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/2 "2020-01-03T22:12:07Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > … or are they just a way for the junkyard to make extra profit from people who don’t go back? I think you got it. ---
**Author:** ![KMS94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ad7895/32.png) [@KMS94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KMS94)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/3 "2020-01-04T01:02:02Z")
IME, core charges are usually on parts that are sent back to be re-manufactured and sold again, like a starter motor, or brake calipers. You bring them back the broken starter, they refund some of your purchase price because now they have another broken one to rebuild and sell. From the parts you’re describing, it does sound a bit odd to see a core charge for something like a side mirror, but a junkyard is in the business of selling used parts. I would guess this junkyard has discovered that this is a win-win situation for them. Either they keep the money for the core charge of the thing you don’t bring back, or you do bring it back and give them another used part they can then try to sell for 100% profit. And if they can’t sell it, there is always scrap value. The scrap value of your broken door hinge might not be worth much to you, but they can let the pile of them build up until it’s 10 tons of broken door hinges and get a couple hundred free dollars. I once bought an old motorcycle that came with no battery. I was trying to get out of paying the battery core charge at a big box store by explaining I wasn’t replacing a battery, there was no core to return. The store would have none of my argument, and charged me the core charge anyway. I stewed on it, and a week later returned with a dead, 6 volt lantern battery, kind with the little springs on top. I was fully expecting to be laughed away from the counter, but she took my little battery and the receipt and returned the core charge. I tried not to giggle as she turned around and delicately set it on the cart full of dead automibile batteries that had also been returned. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/4 "2020-01-04T01:02:27Z")
I’ve never heard of this before. While I know auto parts stores have core charges for a few parts like alternators (where the alternator can be rebuilt) I’ve never heard this about junk yards. Is this common? ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/5 "2020-01-04T02:37:43Z")
If one doesn’t need the old part, look at it as a recycling fee. Everyone wins. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/6 "2020-01-04T02:46:57Z")
Your being screwed. No reason for that BS. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/7 "2020-01-04T04:48:01Z")
There needs to be an incentive to maintain the supply of rebuildable cores. Especially with parts no longer manufactured, the old ones need to come back or there will no longer be “new” ones. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/8 "2020-01-04T11:07:14Z")
> [@KMS94](#): > > I once bought an old motorcycle that came with no battery. I was trying to get out of paying the battery core charge at a big box store by explaining I wasn’t replacing a battery, there was no core to return. The store would have none of my argument, and charged me the core charge anyway. I stewed on it, \*snip. I’m not sure why you were upset by that. Say the store is selling a part for $300 with a $50 core charge. That represents the fact that they are willing to sell you a new part for $250 so long as they get an old one back to resell. Your personal circumstances, i.e. that you had no core to return, doesn’t change their pricing one whit. They are still out a new part and without a core, and therefore a customer should be charged full price in that case. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/9 "2020-01-04T11:27:10Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > Especially with parts no longer manufactured, the old ones need to come back or there will no longer be “new” ones. There will be “new” ones: large numbers of cars get junked every year. But the OP seems to be talking about products which are not being rebuilt. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/10 "2020-01-04T14:37:36Z")
Yeah, I was more wondering about why all these minor parts had core charges. My most recent one was a $1 core charge on a $13 dashboard latch. I don’t think that they save the latch to get rebuilt or anything like that. I’ve gotten parts from a few junkyards over the years and I can’t recall if these kinds of core charges are universal. I’m pretty sure that at least 2 of the local junkyards do it. I usually don’t pay much attention since I’m not going to drive an hour to get a few dollars back. Fortunately in this most recent case, I was able to swap the latch in the parking lot and got my dollar back. Whoo!!! ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/11 "2020-01-04T16:54:26Z")
Hmm, I’ve made many trips to the junkyard, and have never encountered a “core charge” there. It’s always been “How much for a X off a YY Z if I pull it myself?” Often, there hasn’t even been a receipt for the transaction if I was paying in cash. Now, there may be an assumed core charge in there, because if you bring in expired parts, they’ll at least give you scrap value for them. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/12 "2020-01-04T17:31:17Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Hmm, I’ve made many trips to the junkyard, and have never encountered a “core charge” there. It’s always been “How much for a X off a YY Z if I pull it myself?” Often, there hasn’t even been a receipt for the transaction if I was paying in cash. Now, there may be an assumed core charge in there, because if you bring in expired parts, they’ll at least give you scrap value for them. In my adventures with maintaining old cars, I’ve generally found that junkyards fall into two categories: well organized with raised up cars in rows versus completely disorganized with cars piled up everywhere surrounded by weeds and mud. I typically go to the well organized ones since they’ll have the inventory online and I can easily work on their cars. I’ve checked out the disorganized ones a few times, but it’s generally not worth it since it’s harder to find what I need and several cars might need to be unpiled so I could get at the part I wanted. I wouldn’t be surprised if the less organized ones tended to be more of a simple price out the door. The well organized ones have everything computerized, so I’m sure it’s no trouble for them to manage the core charges. One thing I was wondering is if there are some kinds of regulations about disposing of old parts. I think tires often have a disposal fee associated with them. Could the junkyards be adding the core charge as a way of complying with disposal regulations? ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2020, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/13 "2020-01-04T21:53:21Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Hmm, I’ve made many trips to the junkyard, and have never encountered a “core charge” there. It’s always been “How much for a X off a YY Z if I pull it myself?” You must have a different sort of junkyard. Every “junkyard” I’ve ever been at was entirely self-serve “pick and pull” in that you bring tools, roam around Fordland, Moparville, whatever, to hopefully find a likely donor and extract the part. Some of the fancier ones might have a tiny selection of cherry-picked parts like full engines pulled from recent model year rear-end wrecks, hoping they can sell a long block ready to drop into your car complete with fuel injectors, plugs and coil packs, alternator, water pump, etc. already mounted for a premium vs leaving it in the car to be scavenged and damaged piece by piece. More than once, I’ve seen people use a big hammer as a sort of clearing wrench to beat things out of their way to get at what they really want underneath. And yes, there would be core charges for just about everything except window glass since they probably didn’t want to get back a box of broken glass for the exchange. Most of the charges were small enough to guarantee they live on as extra profit - are you really going to come back within a week to exchange a broken seat track and get back the fifty cents? ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/14 "2020-01-05T04:25:43Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > There will be “new” ones: large numbers of cars get junked every year. > > But the OP seems to be talking about products which are not being rebuilt. I acknowledge that I don’t understand all core charges. But, I can assure you that things like calipers for an oddball 60’s car, or even Quadrajets, are disappearing. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/15 "2020-01-05T04:43:29Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Hmm, I’ve made many trips to the junkyard, and have never encountered a “core charge” there. It’s always been “How much for a X off a YY Z if I pull it myself?” Often, there hasn’t even been a receipt for the transaction if I was paying in cash. Now, there may be an assumed core charge in there, because if you bring in expired parts, they’ll at least give you scrap value for them. I’ve never heard of a core charge at a junkyard. The last one I went to (to get a trailer receiver for my truck) did have a refundable entry fee. As I recall, it was $5, and you got it back if you bought something. I suspect that they might get a lot of petty thieves stealing pocketable parts, and this helps cut down on that. The girl behind the counter looked at me (old white guy) and waved me through without charging the fee. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2020, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-junkyards-have-core-charges-for-trash-parts/845898/16 "2020-01-05T20:11:14Z")
The local pull n pay, where my son worked for awhile, charges $2 entry and only a core charge on some items, like the alternators and starters listed above, but I did pay about $6-8 of a $40 total for a door as a core charge. I still have the old door.