What is a Core Charge?

The sale of a remanufactured part involves the price of the part itself, as well as an additional core charge to encourage the return of the old part for remanufacturing purposes. The core charge, sometimes called a core price, is a form of deposit you pay until returning your old part. If you don't have the core at the time of purchase, you must pay the core charge. That charge is refunded to you when you return the core.

Let's say you buy a remanufactured water pump with a $15 core charge, but you haven't removed the old water pump yet. You must pay the core charge when you buy the part. After you replace the pump, you return the old one to the store with your receipt (which includes the core charge). As long as the old part is in acceptable condition, the store will then refund the $15.

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