Salvage yard trouble/Arm rests

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

Question for the masses. Wondering if I have much of a leg to stand on just move on. I'll try to explain this the best I can.

I had been searching for replacement arm rests for my rear passenger doors because several mount points are broken off. I have pieces that I could try gluing them back together, but I'm missing the pieces for where they actually get screwed to the door. I haven't been very successful in finding replacements that match on ebay or the local salvage yards (I have the grey panels with nearly black arm rests). I ended up finding what I needed online at salvage yard that was over an hours drive from my house. I ended up having to buy the whole panel, but noted I specifically needed the arm rests. I ordered them and since this was during the week I elected to have them shipped to my house instead of taking the day off work and then spending the money in fuel to get them since fuel cost was about the same as shipping. This was about $235 total cost shipped to my house. They were received on Wednesday and I went to install them tonight. I ended up finding out that both arm rests have broken tabs where they hook into the door and the lower mount points for both panels are tore out. My existing panels are in better shape than the ones I bought. Do I try to cannibalize these and make a good set? I thought the salvage yard would have had a bit more care in what they were selling. Do I see if they would make good on this? Or just cut my losses and move on?

 

[Alex_M]

Your luck will vary yard to yard. I'd call them up and have a chat about it. It really depends on if they're inclined to deal with integrity or not. To me, the damage certainly should have been disclosed prior to your purchase.

 

[Mudsport96]

X2 With Alex's reply

 

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

Thanks guys. I should add too that when I found them online they were still installed on the vehicle doors so they had to be removed before shipping.

 

[OR VietVet]

Since it was likely paid with a c/c, ask for a reduction on price or tell them you will dispute the whole cost and have all the pics ready for review.

 

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

@OR VietVet yup was a card payment over the phone.

 

[iamdub]

I understand the inconvenience and costs with taking off work, etc. But, when it comes to hard-to-find parts such as this, and especially at a salvage yard, you can't ever trust a parts puller to give a damn. Rarely ever do they realize the real value in something such as this. They're getting paid just to retrieve parts in the 100° heat so they're not gonna surgically remove them. Also, NOBODY cares about your car more than you.

They could've been cracked already, maybe from the previous owner of the vehicle. You'll never know. Regardless, unless it's a more common part, it's always worth going to get it yourself, if possible.

 

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

@iamdub yea should have just went with my first instinct.

 

[Mudsport96]

Also, NOBODY cares about your car more than you.

I don't know, I keep getting calls about an extended warranty even after telling them it is a 1995 with 330k miles.

 

[Jobi-Wan Kenobi]

I talked to the salvage yard yesterday. They are supposed to be issuing a refund.