Car scrapping has never been easier, which in some ways is exactly where the problem lies. Not that’s it’s a good thing for anything to be needlessly complicated, but in the case of car scrapping it’s so simple to go about these days that it’s natural to become a bit complacent about the whole thing.
What’s the harm in just going about it with a lackadaisical attitude? Well, admittedly it’s not the end of the world to find yourself on the receiving end of a bum deal, but if you’d rather not be ripped off in the process, there are certainly a few pointers to be aware of. 
So in the spirit of fair treatment and getting the best deal, here’s an overview of warning signs that you should probably walk away from the deal:
If There’s a Fee Attached
It’s you that’s supposed to be paid for the car, so when the scrapping service adds any kind of fee onto things, you’re basically being scammed. This can be anything from an admin charge to a percentage fee for the whole process or really anything else – if they’re not offering an all-in service with a fixed cash price guaranteed to you, don’t bother.
If You Have to Pay for Towage
The same also applies for the towing of the car, as there are still some places that will charge you an arm and a leg to come and pick the car up for wherever it is. Towage and haulage charges are admittedly huge at the best of times, but this represents part and parcel of the scrapping service. So, if you have to pay for towage, walk away.
If You’re Expected to Deliver the Car
By contrast, there are plenty of car scrapping services these days that will happily take your car off your hands and pay you for it, but only if you yourself arrange for it to be taken to the scrap yard. If you happen to own a tow-truck and loads of equipment, then this might not be a problem, but for about 99.9% of the population it represents a huge pain and an expense that the scrapping folks should be sorting out on your behalf. So if they don’t, don’t do business with them.
If You’re Told the Car’s Condition Affects Scrap Value
When you scrap a car for cash, what you’re essentially doing is handing over a lump of metal to be recycled. As such, it technically makes no difference if the metal is a month old, a year old or has been sitting around for a decade. So it if you’re told your car isn’t worth jack just because it’s a little long in the tooth, you’re being lied to.
If No Price Guarantees Are Offered
Last but not least, there’s only one reason why a scrap car dealer would refuse to offer a price promise and that’s if they were clearly out to rip you off. After all, if you know you’re offering a fair price that’s at least in line with market averages, what’s the harm in backing this with a guarantee?
