At a lot of specialty places like that, they charge a percentage of retail on the parts. There are some random pieces that slip through the cracks, but most of it is based on new retail price. They do a lot of wholesale work, and the retail business is retained to bring in the huge markups.

Some yards have good prices, but they often don't have the later stuff, or the best quality stuff because they won't pay up for it at auction. Some of the auction pieces that show up in the choice salvage yards are there because the yard paid big money to have the parts there.

It is not unusual where the aftermarket develops a replacement part for a vehicle. You have to shop new and used to make sure you're actually getting a deal. I see it a lot where a new aftermarket mirror for a Ford Explorer is $60. And when you check the local recycler, they want $80 (1/2 of "new" retail) for the Ford product.

And worse, when you call the Ford dealer, you find out that they've adjusted THEIR "new" retail price to meet the aftermarket, and the Ford-branded product is now $66. Thereby making the salvage yard price the WORST of the three, and the worst prices gets you a used, scratched mirror when you could've had a brand new one for LESS money.

Basically if you understand the pricing dynamics of salvage parts, you'll be able to find the best price. Sometimes salvage is the way to go, and sometimes it's the worst.
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chris herbst, near chicago