Cash for clunkers - scrap value

[janey99]

If I interpret the Cash for Clunkers website correctly, you should additionally get a credit from your dealer for the scrap value of your car that you are turning in. Does anyone know if there's a calculator out there to get an independent idea of what scrap value for a particular car should be, so we don't have to rely solely on the dealer eyeballing it on site and taking his word for it?

Thanks!

Jane

 

[3boymthr]

Call your local junkyard. They should tell you what it's worth to them, but I don't think it's going to be much. We turned a car in for junk once and got $50 for it.

I hadn't heard about the junk value can you tell me where that is on the website? We already have a deal all lined up (deposit is made and all) but I just want to make sure we're getting all the credits we should.

 

[janey99]

Call your local junkyard. They should tell you what it's worth to them, but I don't think it's going to be much. We turned a car in for junk once and got $50 for it.

I hadn't heard about the junk value can you tell me where that is on the website? We already have a deal all lined up (deposit is made and all) but I just want to make sure we're getting all the credits we should.

Actually, I have just gone back and read the website, and it seems the dealer must definitely disclose the scrap value of your car to you, but it is not explicit that you also receive a gross-up to your credit for that amount. Perhaps they only need to disclose the scrap value so you can properly compare the value of doing cash for clunkers against simply trading in or scrapping your vehicle?

In any case, it is probably worth it to ask your dealer what is the purpose of them disclosing the scrap value - if there is any chance they need to reimburse you for that too, it would probably come out in that conversation.

I will definitely ask my dealer when we are shopping this weekend!

Jane