What is a core?

A "core" is your vehicle or appliance's old, worn-out part taken out when you replace it with a new or rebuilt one.  That old part is garbage, it can be cleaned up, rebuilt, and sold again for a fraction of the cost of a brand-new one. Many places add a refundable deposit called a "core charge" when you buy the part, and you get that money back once you hand over the old unit, since the rebuilders need those used parts as the raw material to make the next round of rebuilt ones.

What is a “rebuildable core”? 

For Circuit Board Medics, a rebuildable core is an original, OEM part, that we can fully refurbish from both a cosmetic and functionality standpoint. You likely wouldn’t want to install a part in your vehicle that looks damaged, even though it may function properly. We want to provide every customer with a replacement that not only functions better than new but also looks better than new. If you send us a part with a clearly damaged, non-repairable housing, then we cannot reuse that part of the module. Or if the housing looks like it is in great shape, but the board is beyond repair, then we cannot refurbish the board.  

Partial Core Charges 

When you order an exchange from Circuit Board Medics, there is an expectation of quality that comes with the part. If you are spending your hard-earned money on something, you expect it to look good and perform even better. In order for us to provide a part that does that, we must start with what we call a “rebuildable” core. 

What happens if a core isn’t 100% rebuildable? 

When this happens, we must charge a partial core charge because we will need to use the housing or board from another core to make one good, rebuildable unit. This is added expense that, over time, would cause the retail price of the unit to rise. In an effort to keep our exchange prices fair for everyone, we charge partial core charges on non-rebuildable parts, based on criteria that are communicated on our listings and in email confirmations sent at the time of purchase. We understand that bolts seize, corrosion occurs, etc. So instead of charging the full core amount, we only charge for what we cannot re-use. 

How to avoid a partial core. 

The most important thing you can do to avoid a partial core charge is to be careful when removing your original module. For example, if a mounting bolt is seized in a turbo actuator, rather than cutting the head off with a cutoff wheel, take your time with penetrating oil, heating, and cooling of the bolt while working it loose. The more care you take when removal of the module, the less likely you are to damage it and end up with additional charges.