For starters, owners of junkyards don’t usually refer to their businesses as junk yards. They prefer to call their businesses, automotive recycling centers because that’s what they do. They sell good used parts and want you to know what they do. But public perception and old habits are hard to change so we decided to go with GreensboroJunkyards.com. Besides, Greensboro Auto Parts was already taken.
Throughout the Piedmont Triad Region of North Carolina there are lots of different kinds of used auto parts retailers. We have pick-a-part yards, full service yards and yards that offer both. Most area auto parts resellers have computerized inventories but a few still do it the old fashioned way.
Some specialize in certain makes and models of parts. Others specialize in used truck parts or used motorcycle parts. We’ve even got a few golf cart yards stuck back here and there and at least one used tractor parts dealer. In time, all of these locally owned businesses will be listed in GreensboroJunkyards.com.
Most yards prefer you not walk on their yard without first checking in with their office. I know you’re not a thief but how are they to know that? If someone stops you at the junk yard and tells you that you must first check in with their office then rest assured it’s for good reason. Remember: you’re on someone else’s property and you must respect the property owner’s rules. Not knowing the rules is your fault because you didn’t ask. Besides, their insurance regulations probably require you to check in and we all know lawyers and insurance companies rule the world.
Be patient. Yes, everyone’s in a hurry these days but junk yards are dangerous places made more dangerous by impatient customers. In the summer you’ll be hot and in the winter you’ll be cold. Get used to it as small businesses don’t control the weather or the city and county zoning boards who won’t allow used auto parts dealers to locate in air conditioned down town high rises.
While not currently in the used auto parts business, this author has worked for several area junk yards and holds these men in high regards. Most used auto parts and junk yard owners are nice guys who pay their employees well, contribute to local charities, work with neighborhood children and do their best to help their local economies despite the fact that most local government regulatory bodies shun them mostly because they’re men of the earth and not slick suits with expensive lawyers. Yes, they have bad days but every junk yard owner can tell you horror stories about the customers they deal with every day they’re open for business which is usually a lot more days than any of the uptown businesses run by the suits. Many of North Carolina’s used auto parts sellers are in their second, third or even fourth generation of operating a family owned business. These companies were recycling long before most other businesses even knew the meaning of the word. They’ve earned your respect and are providing you with a very valuable service at a much lower cost than new replacement parts.
Continue reading Part 2.
