# Reputable sources

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/reputable-sources/61589>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** continental, lincoln\
**Created:** [February 20, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/reputable-sources/61589 "2011-02-20T01:41:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mrwolrab](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mrwolrab/32/2250_2.png) [@mrwolrab](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mrwolrab)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/reputable-sources/61589/1 "2011-02-20T01:41:31Z")

</div>

I am looking for a couple body parts for a 1979 Lincoln Continental. Since I must buy these via the internet from far away sources I need to know from others who I can trust. How do I know a salvage dealer is reputable?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/reputable-sources/61589/2 "2011-02-20T01:51:07Z")

</div>

It’s far better if you can see, feel, and touch the body part before taking delivery. With buying body parts off the internet, it’s crap-shoot. Sometimes you get a good part, and sometimes you get a part that’s in worse condition than the body part you’re trying to replace.

Tester

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mrwolrab](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mrwolrab/32/2250_2.png) [@mrwolrab](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mrwolrab)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 2:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/reputable-sources/61589/3 "2011-02-20T02:36:43Z")

</div>

Understood I am trying to avoid the crap shoot. I asked one dealer to send photos of the part and am still waiting. I am hoping serious collectors and antique admirers will know companies who are reputable.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 10:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/reputable-sources/61589/4 "2011-02-20T10:27:12Z")

</div>

You can usually judge the character of salvage yard owners/employees by the way they treat the dog that patrols the lot. Really you can test this business the same way you would any other, perhaps do a test purchase and see how it goes.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jimgray](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e99b99/32.png) [@jimgray](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jimgray)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 11:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/reputable-sources/61589/5 "2011-02-20T11:50:49Z")

</div>

maybe you could call a few repair shops / body shops in their area. check the BBB.  
you could also try [Hemmings.com](http://Hemmings.com). most advertisers there have good stuff

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\
**Post date:** [February 20, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/reputable-sources/61589/6 "2011-02-20T14:30:41Z")

</div>

If you have a relationship with a local body shop, he may be your best source even if it costs a bit more. He knows which sources are reputable and which ones he avoids like the plague; we usually don’t. Any additional mark up is worth it in my opinion.