Q: Recently, I was told by two repair shops that I needed to replace the original catalytic converter on my 2005 Honda Accord coupe. The Honda dealer where I purchased the car recommended a certain shop because a particular mechanic working there might be able to save the old one with welding or using an expander. The dealer said a new OEM cat from him would cost more than the value of the car. Neither repair shop would let me take the old cat. The local scrap yard said it belonged to me and I should insist, but that didn't help. So, you could say there is more than one kind of catalytic converter theft. Why is it OK for the shop to keep the old part that I had paid for?
C.O., Syracuse, New York
A: Your parts are yours — anything removed from your vehicle, even the battery. But here is the fine print: a core charge. You have the option to pay the core charge and keep the old part or let the shop keep the component and get its core charge money back. The core charge is like a deposit held for the return of the used part and encourages returning it. Core charges are set by suppliers based on the value of the materials in the part or its reusability. Your shop paid a core charge and then got its money back from its supplier. If you buy and install a battery, the store will charge you $10-20 but you will get it back when you return your old battery.
