The internet being what it is these days you can sometimes find the part you want by searching your junkyard's website! A junkyard search like this couldn't be easier! You'll also be able to find the location of the junkyard and their hours. If you do query the search engines or yellow pages you might be surprised to find that there is more than one place you can look for auto parts near you. Just remember that looking for used auto parts isn't much different than looking for a used car. Check the classifieds too. All of these ways of looking will save you time and money.
A few great tips when buying at online auctions: look for auctions that are only a few hours from ending. This is the best gauge for what the final price of that car will be. Also, if you are bidding on a fresh auction, do not overshoot the price. Bid shyly, so that the price will not go sky high.
For parts that are large, some auto salvage yards will haul them for you. This is something to ask when you make the phone call. Some people will buy the entire vehicle in order to scrap it themselves. Other parts such as trunk lids, hoods, door panels, and roofs can be too large for some to haul as well. If you need them to haul it for you, ask them how much they will do it for. Make sure that you comparison shop if you feel the price is too steep. If no one else can do any better or they don't have the part, you can always call them back and tell them you will be there to make the purchase. You are not obligated the moment you make the phone call.
If it's an aluminum system check for corrosion and epoxy around the tank joins. Aluminum radiators need special coolant. If it's not used they will corrode rapidly and begin springing pin leaks. Also, a common failure with aluminum cores is separation from the plastic tank. The common repair is epoxy cement. Stay clear if you see these obvious repairs.
There are also various types of cheap auto parts available in the market which carries the same brand name but are made of cheaper material. Though they come in much lower prices, they can get damaged easily. Then you may have to spend a lot after fixing the problems. You can identify the cheap parts easily by their packaging and quality.
When rehabbing, of course, keep all your receipts for tax and file purposes. For the big stuff, take back what you don't need and get a store credit or get your cash back when you're done. But keep the little stuff. You're bound to have tons of miscellaneous leftovers like nails, screws, bags of sand, concrete mix, tubes of spackling, a pallet or two of roofing shingles, tile pieces, felt, sheetrock, mud, tape, etc. Just find a nifty corner in your garage or basement for this stuff. If you're in this business for the long haul, you'll use it again.
Second item that we are going to need is our battery. You are going to need a rechargeable battery that you can get at your local automotive accessories. Get any size deep cycle 12 Volt lead/acid or gel battery (gel battery is more expensive and it last longer). Deep cycle batteries are designed for prolonged use. It's the kind of battery you have in your car. You can pick one up for as little at $60 or some gel batteries for as high as $250.
Sometimes you can save money by using used parts rather than new ones. Some garages will have contracts or partnerships with junkyards where they can get used parts. Ask whether or not this option exists. Not all garages have it, but if your budget is tight you might want to look for one that does. Keep in mind that you may not be able to find a used part for your particular vehicle, even if the garage offers this option, because you will be limited to the stock on hand in the junkyard.
Get Factual Information About Your Supplier: A trustworthy supplier isn't only about impressive talking skills or frequent smiles. What you need to know is the background of the seller, and how much experience they have, or what do others who've bought from the seller say about him? Several online buying platforms are equipped with either systems to allow you to sift through the responses of other people. And/or they have some kind of a certification program, wherein those sellers who meet a specific quality criteria can be easily identified.