Bought a new transmission- should I ask shop for old one? (vehicle, manual transmission)

[Wartrace]

The bearings are shot on my old manual transmission and due to the cost of rebuilt VS factory new I opted for a new transmission. While looking at the "Core charges" for my old transmission it seems the rebuilders charge 300.00 for the core.

Seems to me I could recoup some of my investment in the new transmission if I sold the core. From what I gather the core is not very common. The rebuilders I contacted seemed very concerned if I had a core exchange when I was asking about a rebuild. Worst case I could sell the transmission as scrap metal and get a couple of bucks.

Should I ask the shop to put the old transmission in the bed of my truck after they remove it? It seems reasonable to me that since I bought a brand new transmission I still retain ownership of the old one.

Any ideas on how to sell the core? Is there a marketplace for this?

[tropicare]

Almost everyone wants the old transmission so they can rebuild and sell them as a rebuilt unit. I have seen used transmissions have cores, aftermarket transmissions have cores, reman transmissions from the dealer, and even brand new transmissions from the dealer all have a core charge. So yes, I would tell them to drain the fluid from the transmission and save it for you. If you get lucky find someone that wants the core before you leave the shop and they might send someone out to pick it up for you and save you the time and energy of moving that thing around.

[reed303]

Usually when a shop lists a "core charge" on their estimate or actual bill, it means they will keep the old unit (if it is rebuildable), and then credit you the $300 on your final bill.

If it is not rebuildable (ie; too damaged to save), then you can keep it and sell it as scrap metal if you want. But you owe them the $300. In other words, a broken, but rebuildable, unit is worth $300 to them.

[camaro69]

Don't be shocked if they claim their price for the new install included the Core.

[AK76]

A brand new part should never include a core, it is BRAND NEW, meaning that no core was used to manufacture it and that it is not refurbished or rebuilt. If they try to pull a core charge on you, call BS. That part is yours, you own it outright.

Now a "new" rebuilt/reman/refurb is another matter, then a core would be appropriate, none the less, that part is still yours and you can choose to "let them have it" so that you receive the core credit as explained above, or you can keep it and pay the $300.00 addtl.

What does your invoice and/or written estimate say regarding the exact description of the "new" part and is there mention of a core charge?

P.S. Just read your post again. You say it a brand new transmission, and if there is no core charge levied against the repair the rest of the discusion is moot. As for selling the core, the only interest will be transmission repair facility and they "may" wish to prurchase, but I doubt you would get $300.00 for it, although that knowledge gives you some bargaining power. Another way to look at it is to let the repair shop keep it as a "tip" and move on.

[blktoptrvl]

Depends on how mechanical you are. If you can repair it and have the time to do so it might be a good idea, but then again, do you plan to warranty the work if you can sell it. If I had the choice of paying $2k for a tranny from a reputable shop or $1k from Joe Blow, i'd choose the $2k unit every time.

If you plan to keep it so that you can put it back in your vehicle if the new tranny goes bad, then how long do you think that might take?

I used to save a lot of parts from the mechanic so I could do something with them later, but eventually they just become more junk laying around the garage or shed.

[tickyul]

Your prices probably reflects the cost of your new tranny...minus the credit you get for the "core deposit".

[need4speed2012]

Factory new needs no core, recheck to see if you did get a new one !!!