MANASSAS, VA, December 17, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- It's the season for shopping and spending - which means that consumers are making their list and checking it twice as they look for ways to save money. Fortunately, for those who need to buy parts for their car, there's a way to keep more jingle in their pockets and still get the best automotive parts on the market.
"This is the time of year when money is tight for everyone," says Bill Tolpa, President of the Automotive Recyclers Association. "The last thing people want to do is spend money on expensive replacement parts for their car."
At the same time, however, this is often a busy time for automotive repair shops, thanks to weather-related fender benders and even broken windows from holiday-related car break-ins. Finding the money to finance the necessary repairs can make even the cheeriest of consumers left feeling like a Scrooge.
Fortunately, there's good news for car owners who find themselves in need of replacement automotive parts. The Automotive Recyclers Association, a non-profit trade association dedicated to more efficient removal and reuse of auto parts, is working to build awareness of used auto parts as a low-cost alternative for consumers. Automobiles that are acquired by automotive recyclers have a number of parts that still work perfectly well - and can be purchased for a much lower cost than a brand-new replacement part.
In addition to saving the customer money, buying used parts also helps save the planet, as it gives new life to automotive parts that are still in good working condition. Since the parts come directly from the automobile, they are OEM (original equipment manufacturer), which means they are the genuine part you would receive from your automotive dealer instead of an aftermarket reproduction.
"This is a great way to help the planet and help your pocketbook at the same time," Tolpa says. "In addition to benefiting the consumer, it's also like giving a Christmas present to Mother Earth."
Since 1943, the Automotive Recyclers Association ("ARA") has represented an industry dedicated to the efficient removal and reuse of "green" automotive parts, and the recycling of inoperable motor vehicles. ARA represents over 4,500 automotive recycling facilities through memberships in the United States and fourteen other countries around the world. With programs such as the Certified Automotive Recycler Program (CAR) and other partnerships, ARA members continue to provide consumers with quality, low-cost alternatives for vehicle replacement parts, while preserving our environment for a "greener" tomorrow.
To learn more about the Association, visit ARA's home page at www.a-r-a.org or call (703) 385-1001.
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