In what is not my first time being defeated at a junkyard, I was again turned away from two today and prevented from looking, at my leisure, at the cars in the junkyard lots. My experience has prompted the following questions:

What can I say and how should I present myself that will encourage junkyard owners to let me wander around their lots looking at the 240s (and 740s) from the various years?

Apparently at most junkyards their policy is not to let customers wander around the yard. Officially, that may be the case, and I don't mind that since it's probably for liability reasons, but there have been a few times where I've been allowed to wander freely. I think, for the most part, the owners don't mind if I take a look around the lot. However, I don't always speak with such laid-back people when trying to take a look around a junkyard.

My specific encounters today came while I was seeking out the power antenna wiring harness (the wiring between the motor itself and the plug in the 240 trunk). I went to a junkyard and explained to the person at the counter that I was looking for the wiring for the antenna, not the motor itself. He asked the year of the car and I said that it was a 1989 model. He said that they didn't have any models from that year and that stuff from other years wouldn't work. I knew that to be blatantly uninformed and false (frustrates me INCREDIBLY), but I let that slide. He also said that they normally sold wiring harnesses to body shops. I began asking about 740s, finally saying that "there was a gauge or something" that would work in 240s as well; could I take a look at the cars on the lot? The person said that they don't let people in the yard and directed me to another nearby junkyard that might have something useful.

What frustrated me is that I wasn't allowed to look at the cars on the lot, that they probably have exactly what I need in one of the 740s/760s, that they turned away a customer who was ready to spend money on the part he found, and that all junkyards are so insistent on matching the year. Unlike other cars that changed significantly yearly, everyone here knows that parts from 240s can be used on many other year cars (I've got headlights from an '80 and a seat heater switch from an '86 in my '89), and even in some 700-series cars!

How can I politely correct junkyard people who think that they don't have the part I want? What can I say that will give me free reign of the cars there?

In other instances, if I go to the junkyard with a specific part in mind, then they will get it themselves and I won't get to wander around the lot. If I don't have something in mind, then they'll marginalize me and turn me away. Either way, I don't get to search out rare and unique parts.

Fortunately, the junkyards in my hometown have let me wander the yards without problems. Unfortunately, I won't be home from school for another month, and I'm stuck in a location with the unfriendly junkyards. I would like to get this power antenna installed now. Does anyone have any other tips (or perhaps the part I need)?
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'89 244 GL -- 111,490 miles (see profile for info on car)

Find a Volvo recycler. I'm pretty fond of Sweden Auto Warehouse in Sacramento, CA. I've gotten some big ticket items from them (which I'm sure helped), and was pleased with both their prices and service. They're a bit pushy sales-wise, but that's such an insignificant nit.

The Rancho Cordova guys were just.. bait and switch as far as I'm concerned (and also much more expensive).

Admittedly both SAW and the RCSR Volvo/Saab guys have both let me wander around a bit. I agree with whomever said that if the yard doesn't appear to be behaving in an up and up manner, there's probably something shady going on.

Your other option is to search out self-service yards. There are a bunch around here. I find myself a bit frustrated with how expensive stuff is becoming, the various surcharges that are being tacked on to receipts, and the amount of driving I have to do to visit the yards.

That said, the self-service yards are much less expensive than the "recyclers". But the yards are freaking biohazards with cars full of mold, bloody interior bits from wrecks, insects living everywhere, etc, etc.

Now that San Francisco has contracted parking enforcement to a different (hopefully less corrupt) company, I've noticed that there are newer and newer cars showing up in two of the yards around here. In the past two weeks I've seen a 96 855T, 93 854, 94 Jetta, 98 528i, etc. The 1990 Volvos seem to be popping up pretty regularly as well.

My less favoured chain (the "Pick Your Part" ones) has "Primo" yards at some of their locations. These "Primo" yards are all insurance wrecks. What a scam, it's mostly mid-80s American cars.

If you're getting people who are balking at the model year, either ask what year cars they have, or tell them that your car is of a different year.

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alex

I'm running into this now I'm shopping for Volvo parts. Historically I've never had problems roaming junkyards--but these were generic lots, nothing Volvo specific.

One local Volvo shop has a yard but wouldn't tell me where it is. He did agree to take me there though ... when I sounded confused, he explained the covert operation was an antidote to folks stealing parts.

Another Volvo only junkyard (with hundreds of Volvos) recently put in a no-access policy citing liability. I think he's happy to comply since theft at his lot, with high prices, would be costly. Examples: $500 for third seat on wagon; $65 door pocket; $375 ECU; $150 OD solenoid; $1200 B230 engine; $100 wagon tail light etc.
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Norm Cook Vancouver BC; 1989 745T 204,000KM

I figure it's like this...

You don't want to go to a hair salon to get your tires rotated, do you?

So why do you want to go to a Used Auto Parts Salvage Yard? You want to go to a junkyard!

If a place isn't willing to sell what you want, shop elsewhere.
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'73 142, '75 242, '75 245, '80 245, '86 244, '87 745T

I don't think that I can add to what the others have said, as they have pretty much covered it. The other thing that I have noticed with one particulard junk yard in my area is that they charge a $1.00 just to look. Why, it does not cost them anything. I have found some yards in the area that know me by name and they have always been helpful, while others are kind of a pain. Good luck and happy bricking.
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1988 244 DL + Virgos, and Power Windows, 1983 244 Turbo +Intercooler

DIY yards typically charge $1 for only one reason: insurance.

See, technically, if you paid them nothing, you are not yet a customer. If you pay them, you technically become a customer, and are therefore covered by their insurance.
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'73 142, '75 242, '75 245, '80 245, '86 244, '87 745T

$1 isn't so bad. The yards around here want $2 for entry, and $2 if you go into the "Primo" yard. Then they tack on taxable environmental surcharges, and of course California requires companies to collect sales tax on core charges. Bleh.

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alex

you're a guy that gets incredibly frustrated about: wiring for a car antenna, right?
people that work in junk yards don't give a shit about people like you.
you must perceive that on some level. don't make a pest of yourself. this is not an insult.

Yes, I completely understand how a junkyard doesn't really care about people like me looking for small, cheap parts that don't do much to boost the bottom line. It's still a little perturbing that they're turning away money nevertheless, but I understand that I'm ranked way below someone looking for an entire transmission or several body panels.

What bothers me the most is that junkyard people think that parts can only be used from that year, that model car. For the 240 it's patently false, but every time I go somewhere they always want to know what year it is. Even when I try to indicate that I'm interested in other-year cars, they aren't any more permissive in letting me go on the lot.
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'89 244 GL -- 111,490 miles (see profile for info on car)

They might not give a sh*t about guys like him but we won't give a sh$t about them when out of business because they have sh%t customer service.

If they had been helpful about a small low-profit part, who will he think of when he needs an engine, for example? If he's had good service at Business X, who will he recommend to his friends also needing Volvo parts?
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Norm Cook Vancouver BC; 1989 745T 204,000KM

I think what frustrates him is not the antenna wiring, persay, but the people telling him things that are blantantly incorrect and refusing to believe him when he tries to correct him. I do see your point though, that in the whole scheme of things, his business isnt all that important to them.

One of the junkyards where I live is like that...BUT..the other junkyard doesn't care.

When I bought my tranny for my '89, they let me go back WITH ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES to check out the different trannies. I'd suggest going sometime when they're not busy. The employee might not want to wander aimlessly around with you..so you might say that you just want to look at Volvos to see if they have anything that you want to buy. Key word is tell them that you have money and are willing to spend it IF you see something you want. Agree to go with their employee. This should work.
Cabbie2169

Many yards have focused their marketing on the professional community and would rather not deal with the insurance hassles and confusion of DIYers. The market rules; you'll just have to take your business elsewhere.

That's rough man. I've never been refused entry to a junkyard, but I know from experience you can't tell most of those guys a thing. They can be a hardheaded(ignorant) bunch of a**holes.

Good luck

I have run into exactly the same thing. In this area, most don't like customers wandering around the yard for liability reasons. Here is what I have done with success.
Question? Do you have any Volvos in your yard? Yes, what are you looking for? I always say either "interior trim pieces, plastic knobs, door trim, etc. I also volunteer that any year from XX to XX will work, even if the color is wrong".
Trim is vague enough that they realize you have to see the part to judge that it is right. "Looking for good bucket seats" is another, since all the cars have the seats still inside and they will let you check them out for quality.
Usual response is "you can go back and check yourself", which is what you want or they get one of their guys to take you back to the cars. I also find that once you get access, buy something, even if small, and they get to know you, the next time I start with "Still have those Volvos back in the corner? I frequent a local yard enough that they just say, "you know where they are, go ahead..." That lets the yard workers service other customers.
I also have had luck with "I'm looking for some nice wheels, any model 200, 700, whatever, bolt pattern is same". Wheels are a big ticket item that they love to remove and sell....I actually found some Virgos that way...
As you already know, these guys can have less than cooperative personalities...

Stay vague with interior/exterior trim, mouldings, light lens, etc...Usually, they don't know the Volvos well enough to just say no on trim parts....

Jay
84 245 GLTi 230k
88 740 GLE 192k

Some yards just won't cooperate.
Some have a policy forced on them by the local or state government, or by their insurance carrier.
They may not want to tell you that, they'll just make you go away.
Life's not fair.

To get into those yards that aren't forced to keep you out - - -

I think you've got to look and act like you belong there.
Like you're comfortable working with the mess you'll be dealing with out there.
I don't know if that's what's keeping you out, but it could be.

Arriving real early on a Saturday morning tells them that your're serious.
Show up with a few tools, so they can see you're serious and ready to go.
Sturdy shoes and clothes so they won't worry that you'll hurt yourself.
Let 'em know you're looking for one or two specific things, and a bunch of other little stuff - like the plactic things that are always breaking.

If you know in advance that years x through y will fit, just say you need an antenna out of an '86 to '93 Volvo 240 (I made up the dates).

With any luck, some of this will help.

I like to not shave for a few days, maybe have a few beers the night before and put holes in your jeans. Alot of the other posts are great, the yards around me most are die hard chevy fans, so tell them you got the car cheap, times are hard and you need this part, maybe say someday you'll drop a 350 chevy motor in and they'll want to help you...hell they may even let you know when certain parts you need come in. I like going on crappy days, less people and like the others said more willing to help you or let you roam on your own.

Wish you luck, try Toledo Ohio, about half the yards let you roam.

Good luck, if my suggestion doesn't work its still fun to try.

I agree with the previous posts.Thought that I should add a few things.Maybe, those particular yards are NOT on the up and up.They wouldn't want an undercover officer wandering their yard and trip over a few stolen cars or bikes.They may be acting shady and unfriendly because they ARE shady and unfriendly!It may be wise to just not try to deal with them.Spend your time and money elsewhere.
In my area, the guys working in the yards are not paid well at all.Even though they do dirty, sometimes dangerous work.They won't have insurance coverage for injuries. Many are working under the table without any job stability.That may contribute to a poor attitude. Not trying to make excuses for them, just stating the facts.
In our larger, commercialized yards, the counter men are kids with tunnel vision.All they care about is the brand of vehicle they currently own. So if the computer doesn't spit out the inventory as you have requested it, word for word.Then they don't have it.They will get their $6.00 an hour whether they help you or not.( I love the gen-x ers!)I guess that's brought us back to customer service!( or lack of).
Let the jerks go out of business.Support the people who support your Volvo habit.
-more than my two cents worth-