The Bessler Management Team is comprised of experienced hands-on leaders who possess decades of experience working within the automotive salvage industry.

People choosing to repair rather than replace vehicles

Mar 17, 2009 9:28 AM EDT
By Scott Harvey

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Sales of new and used cars are declining, but a few local businesses are booming. Instead of spending money on a down payment, many people are re-investing in their old vehicles. It's just another way of surviving in a struggling economy.

People we talked to say they just don't have the money to spend on a new car. That's why they are going the cheaper route and simply fixing up the old one.

At Hikes Lane Auto Repair, they have seen a drop-off in one service they offer. "We used to have a lot of people bring cars in here to check them out before they bought them at a dealership," said Manager William Miller. "We've probably only had one this year ... we usually have about four or five a month."

But the rest of its business is booming. "We are seeing a lot of motor work," Miller said. "We've probably done about four to five motor jobs this year so far, which is usually the whole year for us."

Miller says they are currently installing a new engine on a van for a fleet customer. "Probably about a $3,000 or $4,000 job." The owner decided to buy a new engine instead of a new vehicle.

"That's better than going out and buying a new van for $30,000 to $40,000," Miller said.

Customers are even going out of their way to save money on parts. "We've got a lot of people coming up there with their own parts, just trying to get us to put them on," Miller said. "They are going to junk yards and buying parts instead of going to even the auto parts places."

And that's good news for salvage yard businesses.

"I would say we've seen at least a 50 percent increase if not more," said Mike McLean, Manager of Bessler Auto Parts. "We see all kinds of people. People you wouldn't normally see. People come in in suits."

At Bessler's they allow customers to come in and pull their own parts off cars in the lot. "The price is - probably 60 to 75 percent cheaper than what you would pay new," McLean said. "Granted, it might have a little dust, a little dirt. Nothing that a little soap and water can't clean."

It just shows customers are becoming thrifty shoppers all around. "Like a fender that would normally cost you, say at a dealer, $200, you can come in here and pull it for $35," McLean said. "Maybe take you 20 to 30 minutes of your time. It's a no-brainer."

If you are buying parts from a salvage yard and taking them to a mechanic to install, always ask both about warranty options beforehand.

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