Who is Ralph? Is there a Ralph or is it just a name?

Yes, Ralph is the owner of the organization. If you would like to have more information regarding Ralph James please visit our history page.

Why buy used auto parts?

Not all used parts are good parts, but the majority of parts on the insurance salvage vehicles we purchase are in good working or undamaged condition. Just think of your own vehicle - if it was in an accident today that destroyed its right front fender, right suspension, and right front door, what parts would you still be willing to use if you had an identical car to drive? Quite often parts have been replaced just shortly before the accident. Save on tires, batteries, transmission, starters & alternators, radiators, brakes and more. You can save about 50 to 75% off the retail price of a new original part. Also used auto parts might be your only option as parts become unavailable from dealerships. By buying recycled parts you are helping to reduce the use of nature's resources and the energy required to manufacture new parts.

Why is a used part any better than the one that just failed on my car?

Even though your part has failed, often used parts are available that may have just been replaced in the vehicle before it was written off by an insurance company. Another reason is the parts could have been better maintained or driven less miles than your vehicle. A general rule of thumb is that a non-service related part won't need replacing more than once in the life of the vehicle.

What happens if the part I get from you is no good?

We have a four month or 120 day conditional warranty which assures you that if the part is no good we will replace the part at no cost, or refund your money if a replacement part is not available.

How do you set the price for the part?

We use new parts pricing guides provided by ADP Hollander and Mitchell Manuals and then in general divide the price in half. Supply and demand, and what our competitors are charging for a comparable part, also affects how we set our prices.

Who is the best person to talk to about a particular part?

Everyone is a specialist in their own particlar fields. Ask any of the counter staff and they will direct you to the proper person to answer your questions.

Are your parts on a computer inventory system?

We currently are using two computer inventory systems: ARMS (Automotive Recyclers Management System) is just being setup at RM; Empire uses ADP Hollander Yard Management System. All the rest of our yards have some inventory on computers, being mostly engines and transmissions at this time. We do list all of our new arrivals on our web-site. Please check out the New Arrivals section of the website located on the menu bar.

Why does your web-site ask for my VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

We have a VIN decoder in every one of our locations. The VIN has particular information regarding your vehicle like original color, type of vehicle such as 2 door, 4 door, station wagon, etc. as well as your engine size. Therefore if your vehicle has been modified from the way it left the factory brand new, you should be more specific when requesting parts.

Can I order any part online?

Yes, all of our yards receive your requests instantly and you should receive a phone call within 48 hours if we have the parts you need in stock.

Do you deliver to private residences?

Yes, we charge the customer for the delivery costs, based on distance and weight.

I've located the part I need in your Richmond store but I live in Mission, Can I pickup the part from your Abbotsford store?

Absolutely, we will have the part delivered to any of our locations that you require within 48 hours.

How long has Ralph's been in business?

41 years, although Ralph worked for his father at Vancouver Auto Wrecking for about 25 years before he started his own company.

What does interchange mean?

All of our locations have a computerized interchange data system. Interchange assists us in supplying our customers with the correct part that they require when the identical vehicle is not available as a donor. Interchange is a listing of the different vehicles and years that a specific part has been used in. For example an alternator from a 1990 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24 can be used in a 1988 Lumina Station Wagon.

How do you prevent soil or ground water contamination from occuring when you remove the special wastes from your salvage vehicles?

Ralph's Auto Supply developed almost all of the procedures that became the basis for the Code Of Practice for Auto Recyclers in BC, developed in conjunction with Enviro Canada and the BC Minister of the Environment for Lands and Parks. We reduced the land area that could possibly be contaminated to as tiny a size as possible by grouping the processing steps into one small site. We follow the policy we developed that requires primary and secondary containment for all draining, storage and internal transportation of parts. In case of an accident, all of our locations are equipped with emergency spill kits and we have trained and certified environmental coordinators to oversee all related employees and procedures.

Do you purchase vehicles from private individuals?

Occasionally we will purchase a vehicle but it needs to meet a certain criteria:
1. It has to be driveable; you have to bring the vehicle in to the proper yard so the manager can view the vehicle.
2. The vehicle must be registered in your name, so bring your ID with you.
3. We will do a lien check so there can't be any liens against the vehicle.

Do you sell whole vehicles?

Yes we do sell whole vehicles. These are vehicles designated as rebuildable by the insurance companies. If a vehicle is designated as DPO (Dismantle Parts Only), we can only sell parts of the vehicle.

Should I put a used cylinder head on my car?

There are several reasons to change your cylinder head. The most common is warping, caused by overheating the engine. This may also cause the cylinder head to crack. Buying a used cylinder head means you will have to pressure test the head before you plane the surface and reseat the valves. One option is to replace the entire engine as it can be cheaper than having the head machined. You have to consider the cost of labour and parts for replacing the head. If you decide to go with rebuilding the head, you run the risk of blowing out the bottom half of the engine. When you machine the head and reseat the valves you have made yourself a stronger head but the piston rings and bearings in the block will remain the way it was. The stronger head will put more pressure into the block causing problems with the piston rings and bearings in the block. The bearings may be damaged if there was water getting into the oil because of the blown head gasket. Before making any major decisions consult your certified repair shop.

How do you test an Engine?

We test the engine by first checking the coolant and oil levels. The engine is started and brought up to operating temperature. By continually monitoring the blowby and exhaust smoke, we determine if the engine is excessively burning oil. We listen for any noises, such as knocks and top end noise. Oil pressure is checked by a pressure guage whenever possible. The engine is compression tested and the data recorded. We don’t record the mileage as we don’t know if the engine or speedometer has been replaced during the life of that vehicle.

How do you test a Transmission?

Testing a transmission is more difficult, as the vehicles we purchase from insurance companies have been in accidents. Other areas that make it difficult to test are the electronics and computers in the vehicles today. To properly test a transmission the vehicle needs to be road tested. We check the color and smell of the fluid to see if there is any discoloration and burnt fluid smell. If possible we run the transmission through all the gears while it is lifted up in the air or operate the vehicle briefly in our holding compound before processing it. We provide 120 days warranty on all our transmissions, so if any problems arise after installation you can rest assured knowing it's covered by Ralph's.

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