You might have seen the following commercial on television. a driver pulls into a parking space, stops the car, swings open the door, and then -- BOOM! -- a Ford pick up truck takes out the door, window regulator, and possibly the truck's mirror. If you have insurance, you are probably covered for such a misfortune, but if you don't have insurance or if your deductible is very high then you can count on a fairly large out of pocket expense. Not what you want to hear, but a costly mistake nevertheless.

Fortunately, you can limit your expenses if you shop around for replacement auto parts. If it is just your driver's mirror that needs replacing, then your overall bill won't be too high. Let's take a look at some options on how you can find affordable discount auto parts and accessories for your truck, car or SUV vehicle.

To The Salvage Yard: Years ago I had to get some VW parts for my Rabbit convertible replace the window regulator for my VW Rabbit. I saved plenty of money by going to the local junk yard and getting a new regulator for my car. Of course, the color didn’t match up but I didn’t really care. Besides, who would notice if your Nissan mirror or Ford mirror didn't match up? Okay, you and everyone else! Unfortunately, that is one of the pitfalls of shopping the salvage yards trying to find the right part that looks good on your vehicle. That can be especially hard to do if you are looking for a hard to find Chevy mirror for your 1987 Citation.

To The Dealer: If highway robbery is what you're into, then shopping at your dealer's parts department brings new meaning to getting taken. How else do you think your dealer finances their spanking new showroom? On your back, of course. Do you say, Oh, what a feeling! when shopping at a Toyota dealership? Guaranteed, you will pay a huge mark up for a replacement Toyota mirror if you shop there. Not just foreign dealers either. That Dodge mirror may be ram tough, but you'll pay a king's ransom for it if you shop your dealer's parts department.

To The Retailer: Okay, decent prices can be had at some local retail shops. Some shops and usually on only some of the items. Still, you will pay the prevailing retail rate. How else does the store pay for their building, wages, property taxes, utilities, and more? The mark ups will probably not be as high versus your dealer's parts department, but you will pay more for your Honda mirror or other fine part.

To The Online Wholesaler: Over the past several years, a new phenomenon in auto parts shopping has sprung up: online wholesalers. These cyber stores stock a huge variety of parts and sell them well below retail rate. Auto Parts Warehouse, for example, is one such wholesaler. By purchasing everything in their inventory directly from leading manufacturers, you are ensured that the parts you purchase are sold to you at the lowest possible prices. So, if it is a brand new mirror that you need, expect to pay a price that is reasonable and affordable.

Accidents do happen, and replacing any part on your car shouldn't cost you an outrageous amount of money. Shop online, via the Auto Parts Warehouse, and you will find the service, price and selection that only a salvage yard, dealership, or retailer can dream of.

We also serve the surrounding communities of Alachua, High Springs, Hawthorne, and Newberry!

Thank you for visiting the ECONOMECHANIX WEB SITE. Please feel free to comment. We also serve the surrounding communities of Alachua, High Springs, Hawthorne, and Newberry! Gainesville has been my home since 1974, and I've loved Gvl and the Gators since I came here in the fall of 1974 to attend the University of Florida. I loved it so much I stayed and opened my car repair business. Originally it was out of the back of a 1963 Chevrolet wagon, but in 1977 a fellow mechanic and I opened an auto repair shop with actual walls, etc. I stayed in the same location for 26 years, and recently moved my operation to property I bought 15 miles east of Gainesville. I am doing most all the repairs myself now, having reduced my overhead from $1500 per month to practically nothing. I do work by appointment only. I mostly work only on my established customers cars, but I will occasionally take on new clients. E-mail me and I will either make arrangements to look at your car, or I will recommend you to someone who will.

George G. Scott, Jr.