That old adage

[crankedup]

Shop around.

Well I did just that and saved myself 50% from the highest quotation to my acceptance quote. Replacement of the awful DIY bodge job of the headlining on my 12/4. I'm having a lovely 'Cloth of England' headlining and trim fitted next week by a chap just up the road from me (10 miles) His works excellent and he saves me £300 too.

[Coco H]

I even find that the price of parts can vary so much - the same items.

[lanciachris]

Indeed. looking for a part for your car? Find out other cars its used on, pick the lowest cost, most common one and say its for that if asked

True story - ignition amp for lancia volumex - £90
same ignition amp, same shop, but said it was for rover 214 - £21

[Pigeon]

Mate of mine once ordered a replacement radio aerial for a Triumph 1500 FWD. It came in a Jaguar box... apparently the Triumph and some Jag share a wing curvature.

[M3 Mitch]

Quite true and also consider used parts even for wear parts - I picked up a fan clutch for the Chevy, used, for $25 from a local and very Chevy-savvy breaker, new they are $100. The used part was from some sort of truck that used the same small block 400 CI V-8, seems to be heavier-duty than the one I took off. Been working just fine for several years.

On cars where it's easy to access them, used starters can be a very good deal and at most you need to put in new brushes, usually, to bring them up to good spec.