I don't know of that kind of yard in SoCal. I have been to many
self-serve yards here and they are all part of chains of yards. They are
run more like tight ships and they have guards and cashiers. Cars come
in, get set out in rows on stands so you can pick at them. It is catch
as catch can for several weeks or a month. Then they send out a gleaning
crew to get what is left off of a row, like starter, alternators, etc.
Then that whole row goes to off to the crusher. You pay 2 bucks to get
in and bring whatever tools you need in with you. The parts are usually
pretty cheap and it usually makes no difference what brand or model they
are from as far as the price goes. You drag your parts to a cashier
window. They look up the generic parts on their terminal and tell you
how much. Then you pay and get a printed receipt. You take your parts to
the exit guard who compares your receipt to the parts you have and signs
off on it.

Mark

Jim Felder wrote:
>
> There are a few old-school junkyards left. I can describe every one I know
> of in a single paragraph because they are all the same. They have lots and
> lots of VWs. The owners are either ancient or look it because of their
> lifestyles and general poor health. They chain smoke in an office stacked
> high with parts books and repair manuals. They will talk to you all day
> about the parts business, and what parts you want, but they will never
> actually sell you anything because they are all bat-**** crazy, living on
> disability checks and sitting on thousands of rusting VWs.
>
> I know of five of these places within 100 miles. Is this a southern thing,
> or true of elsewhere as well?
>
> Jim
>