Have you ever purchased a car part or battery and noticed an additional charge called a "core charge"? What exactly is a core charge and why is it applied? Let's delve into the details of this common practice in the automotive industry.
What is a Core Charge?
A core charge is a refundable deposit that is added to the purchase price of certain automotive parts, such as batteries, alternators, calipers, and differentials. This charge is essentially a recycling fee that encourages customers to return their old, used parts (referred to as the "core") for proper disposal or remanufacturing.
How Does it Work?
When you buy a part with a core charge, you pay the additional fee for the core return. Once you install the new part, you are expected to return the old, used part to us within a specified timeframe. Upon returning the core, you will receive a refund for the core charge amount. The core return takes about 3 to 8 business days to reflect on account.
For orders that are delivered locally to Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Rio Grande Valley, we can schedule the delivery for when the core is ready. If the core is not ready at the time of delivery, then there will be a core charge and next time we are in the area we can pick up the core. It might take us up to 2 months to return for the core.
For orders that require freight, when purchasing an axle from us, the freight charge is charged up front for the new part and the core return. Once the core is ready to pick up, please set it on the pallet it was shipped on and strap the core to pallet, send us a picture to our email or phone number. We will schedule a pick up, and send bill of lading for core return.
Why is it Important?
Core charges play a crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability by ensuring that old parts are recycled or remanufactured instead of being discarded in landfills. By incentivizing customers to return their cores, the automotive industry can reduce waste and conserve resources.
How Much is the Core Charge?
The core charge amount varies depending on the specific part. Core charges can range from as low as $10 to over $1500, depending on the value of the core being returned. For full core refund, please ensure the core in complete. Incomplete cores, missing pieces, and parts lost during transportation will be deducted from core deposit based on replacement price of the parts. It is important to factor in the core charge when budgeting for automotive repairs or purchases.
Conclusion
Next time you encounter a core charge when purchasing an automotive part, remember that it is a standard practice aimed at promoting sustainability and responsible disposal of old parts. By understanding the purpose of core charges, you can contribute to a greener and more efficient automotive industry.
