Did I get burned on a cat?

**drpepper687** · 05-26-2022, 04:00 PM

Funny thread title. Possibly not funny question. I’m new here but not new to scrapping, I go 4 or 5 times a year, just when I feel like it.

On a recent trip, I brought along a catalytic converter from a car I had previously been driving and junked 2-3 years ago. My first time ever bringing one. Everything else in my load went smoothly, but the worker comes up and says “hey man, I can only give you 5 bucks for it since it’s aftermarket”. I said, what are you talking about? He points out the weld marks for his suspicions. I told him it’s not aftermarket, it’s just that the Ford Tore-ass I was driving was such a piece of junk that we had to re-weld the exhaust numerous times. I pointed out that the two pipes seen welded to the cat were clearly prefab sections you can buy at NAPA or any auto store, and we used those to fit over the rest of the exhaust on the vehicle, like a plumbing coupler. For additional proof, I showed him the welding underneath my Jeep (frame repair) so he could compare and confirm my unique shoddy welding skills on both. He goes ok, walks away, and comes back with “I can give you 20 bucks”.

I have to admit, I was excited to have “convinced” him of the truth and was happy with what I thought was getting the correct price. Wasn’t until 2 weeks later now that I look at cat prices online and see small domestic cats are going for $185 each. Did I get ripped off???? Should I bring my receipt back and ask what the heck? I’ve been going there for years.

Wish I could include pics in this post, but I don’t think you can via phone.

**mikeinreco** · 05-26-2022, 04:23 PM

If not satisfied with price get a 2nd quote from another dealer before selling

**CopperMiner** · 05-26-2022, 06:06 PM

I agree. If you unhappy with the quote, it is still yours and go elsewhere. If he really wants it, he gotta give you a more honest price or die with his decision. By the way, not all scrap yards are specialized in cats. From the yards I visit the most often, if I have a cat for sale, I would prefer to sell to yard A, but I would never sell to yard B even if they both buy cats. Yard A will check the serial number and give you the best price they can give you and I think that Yard B is giving a lowball offer at best or more probably a dirt cheap flat rate offer somewhere on his commodity list.

Also, yard A has cats clearly listed on its front sign and yard B has metals (unspecified which ones) on its front sign. It is not an absolute rule, but I think that it shows what are they like to buy or what they try to do the most.