How Can You Get Cash For Your Junk Car?

Having a luxurious vehicle is always appreciated. If you own a car, you need to spend a lot in order to buy it. Then a lot of money is also spent on its maintenance. Vehicle lovers love to do it.

Issues arise when you look forward to get some money in exchange of your old vehicle. It gets very difficult for people to find a dealer in order to sell their vehicles when it has been used for long. In many places of the United States it will be actually difficult for you to sell junk cars for cash. Boulder in Colorado has many dealers who are into the business of junk automobiles.

Boulder is a populous city, so it is obvious that the number of vehicle accidents would also be high. So with regard to dealers in junk cars for cash, Boulder has much to offer. Two places in Colorado are densely populated, Denver and Boulder. Hence the business of junk cars is prominent in the two renowned cities. Many businessmen who deal in junk vehicle for cash in Boulder and Denver are proud members of the Better Business Bureau with Gold star ratings since 1990.

You can have numerous reasons selling your car. You may also sell an automobile which is in the perfect running condition. You may also sell a car in its worst condition when it is absolutely wrecked and distorted. You may not get the return you expect from businessmen in other places. You may not be satisfied with the amount that is given to you. There is always an injustice done in other states when you try to sell your junk cars for cash. Boulder is one of the places where you will get a reasonable amount for your car. Therefore even if your vehicle is smashed, you will get a good price.

Getting Cash For Your Junk Car

The first thing you need to do is call the auto salvage companies in your area. Ask them how much they pay for junk cars. Scrap metal usually sells by the pound. Most cars have a sticker in the drivers' door that tells the weight of the vehicle. By reading this you can get an idea of how much cash you will get for your junk car.

When you contact the salvage yard, ask them what they require as far as buying a junk car. Many places ask that you remove the wheels and tires before bringing them in. They sometimes require that the gas tanks have been removed as well. Some will accept them without the removal of wheels and tires, but you will receive a less amount for your vehicle.

You need to find out if they will pick the car up or if you need to bring it in. Depending on your area they may be willing to pick it up, but most often they will pay more if you bring your junk car to them. You should only have the car towed if it is not in drivable condition. If you do have to tow your junk car be sure to check on the towing laws in your town, you do not want to get a ticket.

Before you commit to any action, you should always call several salvage yards and get price quotes before deciding on a specific yard. You want to sell your car to the one that pays the most. Keep in mind that the price of scrap metal fluctuates. It may sell high today and be considerably less tomorrow.

Finally, if you hold any entrepreneur values, scrap metal can be a very beneficial business. If you know anybody who is trying get rid of their junk cars, you can actually buy it from them for cheap, and re-sell it to the junk yard and make a profit off of it. This is a great way to earn some extra cash.

Bond Mejeh produces automotive related articles for Quick Cash Auto, a cash for cars service. Quick Cash Auto not only buys pre-owned vehicles of any year, make or model, but they also provide numerous articles about vehicle repair and automotive news.

Sell Your Junk Car Online

It's been good to you, but it might be time to let your old car go. It was your high school dream. It saw you and your friends through a number of great times. You can remember packing them all into your car and heading to parties, games and movie theaters. You looked forward to those times. Once Friday came, you knew it was time to gas up your car and head out with your buddies. You may have even taken it with you once you left for college. You packed on the miles as you headed back home for Thanksgiving, Christmas and every other reason you could find to head back home. It's time to stop funding repairs for your high school vehicle. Another month brings another expensive repair. You're already paying a car note by funding the numerous problems that your old vehicle brings. What is your car actually worth? Is there any value left in it? Instead of holding onto the memories that are attached to it, sell your junk car to a salvage company.

These companies will pay you to tow away your old junk. You'll actually receive cash for the car that is probably worth little to nothing. Don't let a car salesman tell you that you can't get anything out of your old car. A car salvage company will pay you for your car. They even provide free towing services. Many of these companies offer free online quotes. Head online and see just how much you could potentially receive for your junk.

What other options do you know? The faded color, high mileage and broken features probably won't be great selling points. Instead of letting your vehicle simply rust away on your property, head online and get paid to waive bye to it. Sell your junk car to a salvage company today.

How to Reclaim a Repossessed Junk Car

Automobiles, especially new ones, are quite heavy on one's budget. Without sustained amounts of income, paying for a car is a battle, and the challenge gets replenished once the next payment period enters. In a lot of cases, loans are secured, which eventually aren't settled in time, thus paving the way for repossession. So, does this mean your junk car is gone for good? Yes, if you don't act fast enough.

A Quick Visit to the Creditor

The repossessed vehicle, whether a junk car or a brand new model, is taken away from owners because of unpaid dues. So, the first order of reclaiming repossessed junk cars, or any vehicle for that matter, is to talk to the creditor, and fast. Act slow and it would mean money for scrap cars, in the creditor's case.

The prerogative of crediting firms is to sell the car or put it up for auction, so they can garner profits. Your job is to beat your creditor to it, and then present a convincing case. In other words, you still have a shot at claiming your car, if you promise to pay your dues within a few days and of course deliver.

Setting a Timeline

To strengthen your case, set a realistic timeline regarding when you can pay the outstanding balance in full. Make it too lengthy, and the creditor will probably scrap your plan. The timeline, ideally, should stretch for only a few days. Your creditor, after all, is doing you a huge favor, if he or she agrees with your plan.

A Hasty Way to Pay

Before you proceed with your plan, find a way to pay for your dues quickly, otherwise the creditor won't likely agree. You can secure loans from loved ones or find several short projects at work, so you can secure cash, quickly.

Since the balance, which stands to increase due to interest, is your main concern, you can also find alternative ways to make money for old cars. For instance, you can find a buyer for the vehicle or secure it through an auction, to cut down or perhaps clear off the balance.

Once You Seal the Deal

If you manage to pay off your dues, you should request the creditor to scratch off the repossession on your credit report. He or she should contact the credit bureau for that to happen.

Repossessed junk cars are not impossible to reacquire, especially for critical thinkers. A good plan and a nifty way to make money are your biggest assets in this case.

The Easiest Junk Car Disposal Solution

For many, contacting a junk car removal service is the best car disposal solution. You can contact a local towing company but you'll have better results using a nationwide car removal service. Not only is it fast and hassle free this way, but they buy junk cars and pay top dollar for them. Even car scrap yards will not pay as much.

Most local car towing companies are picky and may not accept vehicles in any condition or every make and model. A national service is also more able to help you through the process. They have arrangements with towing companies throughout the United States and Canada. They will buy any vehicle, in absolutely any condition at any location no questions asked.

The main benefit of going with a national car removal company is their ability to pay top dollar for your junk vehicle. Not only do they buy cars and pay well, but you'll receive a quote for your car over the phone before a car pick up is even scheduled. They'll line up a buyer for your vehicle, line up vehicle towing to meet your schedule, then pay you.

Here are the main benefits of a national car removal service.

• Fast and reliable service. You know they're not too busy to pickup your vehicle.
• Any condition, year, make and model are accepted and paid for.
• A title is not required before 1995.
• There's no charge for pickup or disposal, you actually get paid well.

Here's how it works. First you have a problem and need to arrange some form of car disposal to get rid of your junk or used car that won't work, or won't sell. Next you're going to look for a junk car removal company that pays cash for junk cars such as the one at the bottom of this article. Once you contact them they'll ask you a few questions about your car or truck and give you a quote right over the phone. If you accept the quote they'll send over a car towing company to tow your car and you'll get paid.

Now that you know how it works, don't worry about how to get your car to the vehicle salvage yard. Contact the Junk Car Removal service below today and get paid for your car that doesn't work or won't sell in any condition.

Car Salvage Company Versus Junk Car Removal Service

A junk car removal company is one that renders the service of towing away your junk vehicle. A junk car is not only inoperable but one for which you have no use. It is that vehicle sitting somewhere in your porch or garage and gathering dust. As far as you are concerned, it is a vehicle you do not intend to use or even fix.

Matter of fact, you are thinking of how to get rid of it. This is where a junk car service steps in. They come buy your junk vehicle for an appropriate price, tow it to a junk yard, dismantle it, sell off useful spare parts and recycle the scrap metal. This scrap metal is then sold to construction companies, metal fabricators etc.

A auto salvage company on the other hand buys salvage cars, fixes them and then sells them off. Question now is "What is a salvage car?" A salvage car is when the cost of repairs on a vehicle exceeds the actual worth of the vehicle. For instance, you have a car that is not working and you do not have the needed amount of money to fix it. You then decide to sell it off.

Problem is "who's going to but a car that's not working?" This is where a car salvage company steps in. They buy cars that are faulty, but still repairable. They fix such cars and sell it off as a second hand car. So now you know the difference between a car salvage company and a junk car removal service, you can make informed decisions.

Junk Car Removal - No Title, No Problem!

You would think that the world of junk car removal with no title would just be ripe for abuse. After all, without having the official paperwork that actually states that you own the car, any person could claim that any old abandoned vehicle was theirs, sell it for salveagable parts, or donate the car and fraudulently claim a tax deduction. But then there are those honest people who own an old vehicle outright but do not have the title to state ownership. Can you still get that junk car towed away from your property for good without a title? The answer is yes!

Order a replacement title

If you have a junk car that you would like to be rid of, one of the most obvious answers to your problem of not having the title is to get a replacement. In most states, you can order a replacement title as long as you have your vehicle identification number (VIN). Get your replacement title and then you can finally say goodbye to your old, unusable car. After you receive your replacement title for your auto, then you can go about making arrangements have your junk car picked up and removed.

Find a company that doesn't require a title

Some people just may not want to go through the hassle of getting that replacement title, and that's fine, there are ways to work around getting rid of your junk car without title in hand. The first is to sell your junk car via private bill of sale. If you can find a buyer, you can negotiate a private sale, describing the make, model, and year of the vehicle, the agreed-upon sale price, and legal signatures. Before going through with the sale, you will want to make check with an attorney to make sure that all of this paperwork is legit in the eyes of the law. Ending up in small claims court is a major hassle that can completely be avoided by doing your homework beforehand.

Another option is to completely outsource this process by going through a nationally recognized service, such as Junk My Car. You can get rid of your old clunker, no matter where you live in the United States or Canada. Simply call the hotline and an operator will walk you through the process. There is no fee for this service and you can generally expect to receive a call from a towing company within 48 hours to finally get your old automobile off of your hands. And to save yourself a headache, you do not need a title.

If you do not have a title, check the state-by-state Vehicle Documentation Guide on the Junk My Car website to review the steps you need to take to prepare for the vehicle removal process. If you live in one of the Canadian provinces, the information you need is also live on their website.

What Happens After You Schedule Your Vehicle To Be Removed?

One of the best things about using the Junk My Car service is that your car will be scrapped for usable parts. It doesn't matter whether your car is wrecked, totaled, missing parts, or inoperable. While this is a free junk car removal service, you may interested in how you can earn cold hard cash for your junk car. If so, then you can consult their sister company, Buy My Wreck, and have them make you an offer. You can consult with an operator to determine how much your car may be worth, you will be emailed a purchase agreement, and upon agreement, arrangements will be made to tow away your used car for recycling. You can expect to get paid for your vehicle in some cases on the spot during pickup or, in some cases, no later than 14 days via check.

Cash for Junk Car

Do you realize the fact that by selling your junk car you can easily get a good sum of money in return? So, if you think that having more than one junk car in your garage is something really painful then you are completely wrong. For realizing the quick cash, you need to find reliable resources to sell off your cars. If you are a resident of the United States, you are definitely in luck. You can find so many junk car collectors' programs available these days. These programs are running just to help people to realize cash easily and conveniently. These cars can be sold under 1000 dollars or below 500 dollars, depending on the condition of your car and competence of its parts.

Get cash for junk cars:
There are companies that offer an easy sell of your car. These vehicles can help you realize returns instantly. Be it any makes or models, foreign or domestic, working or not working, it will have its buyer for sure.

Why people buy junk cars?
Many people call these sell - a cheap deal but its demand is increasing day-by-day. Some companies buy these automotives just to make them a cheap old usable car for resale. Some company buys over them and converts them into project cars. Sometimes, these cars can be converted into valuable classic cars and treasured for years to come. Car lovers buy such cars and protect them a lot. Sometimes, they can be put into the museums and proper car is ensured to ensure their good condition.

Learn more about Junk It Florida

Junk Car Removal Service

Junk car removal can be done in so many ways. Most people keep old cars for a variety of reasons. Some people simply love the idea o having an old care in their garage whereas others wait for the right time to make the good money in exchange of their vehicle. Whatever the reason they give, having an extra car is all about carrying a burden that require maintenance, time and money. In absence of all these essential determinants, it would be useful to keep a burdened car. What could you do to remove your burdened car? There are so many charities and organizations that take your old car for cash and earn tax deductions in return. Don't you think you need to find a dignified method to earn cash while making a sell of your old car?

How Car Donation Companies Help?

Car donation companies usually take vehicles that are in absolutely good conditions or vehicles that need repairs or just vehicles available as a junk. It simply means that you can donate any kind of car that you think is useless for your needs. In a timely manner, you can donate your car, truck, RV, motorcycle or boat. Some companies also make the provision for towing your vehicles straight away from your home. Once such companies buys or accepts junk cars, they either put some more money to make them useable and make the sell. In addition, if the car seems completely useless, they make some money by selling into scrap dealers through an auction.

JunkYards Vs Junk Car Removal

When you have a junk car or any other junk vehicle, it can be a bit frustrating finding out how to get rid of it.

There's advantages and disadvantages of bringing your junk vehicle to car scrap yards. Bringing a scrap car directly to a scrap yard (in most cases) will earn a little bit more money than calling a junk car removal service. Although it may only be a $50 difference, $50 dollars can go a long way in this economy.

However, some people don't want to deal with the hassle. There's a lot more to the car salvage process than most realize. If you decide to tow it in yourself somehow, there's a few things you should know. You must drain all fluids from the vehicle, and in some case the tires are not accepted at the salvage yard.

Prepping a car to be towed to the car salvage yard isn't something most people want to deal with. So the next option is to call a professional car removal company.

Contacting an auto recycling company is typically more convenient and preferred more than doing it yourself. Even recycle guys who scraps cars often times get cash for junk cars from one of these services.

Don't fall for the free junk vehicle removal ads because a little more searching and there's always a company that will actually pay you for them.

There are a few things you should know prior to having a car removal company to tow your car, truck, or RV.

Cars and trucks that are 1995 or newer, as of 2010 must have the title. Junk cars that are more than 15 years old don't require a title. Also having a registration can help in some cases it depends on your location and state rules/regulations.

Now a company who removes junk cars can pay equal to or more than bringing it directly to the scrapyards. Anywhere from $50 to $600 can be paid for a junk auto. It's certainly worth it to have a car removal company get rid of the junk vehicle. They pay well, and the tow able condition and location of the scrap car doesn't matter.

Transforming a Junk Car To A Treasure

How would you turn your junk car into a treasure? Consider making a car donation. If you have not yet make one, allow me to propose to you how significant it is. Have you ever wanted to make a difference and reach out less privileged people? You can by donating your car. Giving is a way to make life more meaningful not only for the less privileged people that you can help but also to you because of the rewarding feeling it will bring to your heart.

If you do not know what to do with your car, I suggest that you donate it rather than selling it. You might get lesser money from doing this act but think of the joy it will bring to the hearts of many. By donating your car, you can make a difference and show the world how much you care. The fund that would be produced out of your donation can be used to send some kids to school. It can also be a help for the cancer patients who are in need of a regular medication, people that are now homeless because they have been affected by calamities, rescue abandoned animals, and help cleaning the environment. Just think of those people. Many would benefit out of your kindness. Come to think about it.

What else are you waiting for? This simple deed can turn your junk car into a treasure. Your old and used car may be a junk in your garage but hey, it can mean a life to thousands of people suffering for their adversities. This good deed can be a life saving. Get rid of your junk car. Look for a non-profit organization. Donate your junk car and turn it into a treasure. See what happens. People that you have helped will surely bring a smile with them everyday.

Sell your Junk Car

Like most of the people there are chances that even you have an old car that is not in a working condition and is just occupying lots of space in your drive way. It just takes up the valuable space in your driveway, and is mostly a hazard for your children and neighbors. But, do you know that there are companies that specialize in buying old and salvage car. These are the companies that buy junk car and pay maximum cash for it.

You can find these companies by going on-line. Some of the companies sell the spare parts of the car whereas some recycle them in such a way that it doesn't cause any cause to the environment. There's a lot of demand for used parts because they are cheaper. Some companies even buy your car for scrap. They remove everything from it and then dispose your junk car in such a way that it is environmentally friendly. You can look for junk car companies by going online. You'll come across plenty of companies and will definitely be able to find one with whom you can make the best deal. You'll also come across companies that not only pay you the best price for it but also tow your car from your place without charging you anything.

One of the main reasons behind selling an old car is getting cash for the old so that you can have space in your garage. Some people sell their old car to salvage car companies because they don't want to go through the hassle of getting it repaired by paying lots of dollars and then selling it off.

The car in your driveway might have been damaged due to a natural disasters or accident but the fact is that to make it working you have to pay a lot which is unaffordable. Frankly, investing so much in a junk piece is of no use. An option to it is giving your car to a salvage car company. With a good company you can get the best price for your vehicle. 

There are plenty of ways through which one can dispose a junk car. But giving it to a salvage car company has served as the most preferable option. These are the companies that tow your car form your place for free and pay you the best price for it. Often people have a question as what do these companies do with these vehicles? They sell the parts of the vehicles and those parts which can’t be sold are disposed in an environmental friendly way. 

Now, what one needs to do is to find a salvage car company that can take the car from your place without charging you anything extra and pays you the best price for it. There are number of dealers in the market but the easiest way of getting started is by looking for them online. 

No matter with which company you prefer to go, selling the salvage car is the best option to get from it. 

Junk Car in Miami

If you have a Junk Car in Miami and would like to cash it now, visit Junk It Florida.
Your junk car is probably just wasting space, so do yourself and your community a favor and sell it to Junk It Florida. They will tow your junk car away and give you cash for it, all in the same day! This is really the fastest and easiest way to get cash if you have a junk car.

It's Green to Sell Your Junk Car

Junking Your Car for Cash is Easier Than You Think! When you Junk your Car, Truck, Van, SUV,or any other type of vehicle through junkitflorida.com for Cash program, 
you will not only receive cash for your car, but quality service and free pick-up of your vehicle as well. 

HOW TO KNOW WHEN TO GET RID OF YOUR CAR 
Your Vehicle is no longer an asset and becomes a liability when: 

* You're unable to find a buyer to take it off your hands. 
* It was totalled in an accident & has been written off. 
* It has little or no trade-in value. 
* It's a lemon that you don't want to pass off on to someone else. 
* You don't want to go through the hassle of selling it. 
* It costs more to fix than it's worth. 
* It's been sitting so long that it doesn't work anymore. 

HOW JUNK IT FLORIDA HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT 

People often think of an auto junkyard as just another dump – but present day junkyards are actually a form of recycling and easy on the environment. Most junk cars that end up in a junkyard are either sold at auctions or sold for scrap. 
In fact, junkyards provide steel and many other metals to the building and car industries, ensuring that the metals from a junked car continue to be used for other vital purposes and help save important natural resources, as well. 
In addition, the modern junkyard is regulated by federal and state laws that have strict guidelines on the draining and disposal of all fluids from junk cars, so the junkyard is no longer a threat to the ground water in the area. 

ENJOY THE BENEFITS 

Pat yourself on the back and know that by you junking your car you are in actual fact earning yourself some well earned cash and at the same time helping the environment. 

No title? Not to worry.... The local Licensing department has the forms. You will need a form releasing you of liability. You simply fill out the form stating that you DO NOT own the Body and that it is abandoned. 

Need a Fast Service? South Florida Junk Car Buyers owns and operates it's own fully licensed tow trucks, so they are able to offer you same day service . 
With experienced and trained operators they are ready to guide you through the cash junk car process.

New auto business faces obstacles

Dozens of local residents turned out for the monthly Town of Coeymans Planning Board meeting protesting the used car showroom and auto repair facility planned on the site of the former Marshall's Auto Sales on Route 9W in Ravena.

The new business, American Dream Ventures, tried starting up in the fall of 2010 but because they had not gone through all the permitting steps the building department issued a cease and desist order, pending the approval of a site plan review.

At last Monday's meeting, D.W. Chichester, spokeman and consultant for American Dream Ventures, which is leasing the property from Crown Point Ltd LLC., presented an updated plan to the board.

Building Inspector Larry Conrad said the cars parked on the lot had not caused the cease and desist violation. That had come about because American Dream Ventures had started running a business without approval.

Conrad said the property in question contained two lots, each with different permits.

He said the rear lot had never ceased operating as a parking lot and the town could not prevent the continued parking of cars there. The front lot, however, stopped operating as a used car sales shop several years ago when Marshall's went out of business.

It was only when Chichester hung signs in the two buildings on the property indicating they were open for business that the town stepped in.

Conrad said he noticed the signs in late fall of 2010 and shortly after he issued the cease and desist order. Since then Chicester has appeared before the town board three times.

Conrad also said that Chichester had been under the impression from the property owners, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, that there was no problem with opening a shop there.

He further said Chichester was in the process of obtaining permission to operate a used car lot on the premises, a use permitted in the zoning for that location.

At the February 7 meeting, Chichester said he was willing to comply with the planning board's conditions including limiting the number of cars on the site to 50, planting trees and shrubs to mitigate the visual impact on neighbors, ensuring all cars are in running condition and painting the building.

The board said the previous use of the buildings and site had been for a sales and body shop showroom. Since there were no buildings planned, they saw no reason to deny Chichester's application, should he comply with all requests.

However, close to a dozen speakers did not agree. Several reported seeing flatbed trucks piled with cars dropping off vehicles in the middle of the night.

Others called it an eyesore.

But Planning Board member Dave Ross said, "So far I have been pleased and encouraged by everything I have heard from Mr. Chichester."

Ernest Quinto agreed, saying, "Mr. Chichester has been before this board three times and he has shown little resistance to our suggestions, although he has faced plenty of resistance."

Quinto went on to say that many people could not afford new cars such as those offered at Crossroads Ford, which is next door.

"I'm glad you're here and I hope you're successful," he said.

Local residents Roger Rarick and Barbara Tanner were both concerned with the physical appearance of the property.

Rarick said he would be on Chichester like a hawk if he reneged on conditions.

Chichester responded, "We are small people and we are just trying to move forward."

Resident James Williams questioned how and why the cars had appeared.

"I saw cars towed in at night. My concern is the business could be a disguise for selling auto parts."

Chichester said the cheapest towing rates were for nighttime moving.

But planning board member Winthrop Irwin said, "The law says that as long as the business is not dismantling vehicles or selling parts, it is legal."

Winthrop pointed out the planning board had walked through the lot and said once Chichester reduced the number of cars from 96 to 50, it would be acceptable.

Planning Board Chair Peter Foronda agreed, saying a used car lot is a permitted use of the property.

When Jackie Lynch asked how the cars had been brought in without anyone being aware of it, Foronda responded the planning board was not the police department. Their role is considering applications when they come in.

"The man wants to do business here," said new resident Jack Soloman. "What's the problem?"

Local resident Nancy Warner responded the town was business friendly but not when someone deposits things on a property which are not allowed to be there.

"They came in under the cover of darkness," she said. "If they don't yet have permits, nothing should be there."

Another woman pointed out that Crossroads Ford, which borders the property, had been carefully renovated and the old cars now sitting in American Dream Ventures lot reflected poorly on Crossroads.

One resident who lives near the site said he fears oil and other contaminants could infiltrate wells and septic tanks. "I hope you won't allow this to go through," he said to the planning board. "It is a disgrace for Crossroads. Some people think the cars belong to them."

Crossroads owner Ron Teator asked who was going to enforce the laws.

"I'm all for business but we don't need another Malphrus in town," he said. "I've gotten calls recently from people saying they want to buy one of my junk cars."

Malphrus is a property near Routes 144 and the NYS Thruway which has drawn complaints because of junk trailers and vehicles parked there.

Crossroads moved recently from its location on the corner of 9W and Main Street and renovated and refurbished the new buildings, lots and landscaping around the property.

"I want business in the town to grow but I want it done right," Teator said. "There's probably not a single car on that lot right now which would pass inspection."

But Winthrop said the planning board's role was deciding whether a used car lot was permissible on that site. Other enforcement questions would have to come from the code enforcement office, the building inspector, the town police and even the town board.

"We have to follow the laws and the law says a used car business is legal there," he said.

One person asked if Chichester had a dealership license yet and Winthrop responded that he can't get a dealership license until the planning board approves the site plan.

Another speaker was incredulous the business had been operating without a dealership license, but Conrad pointed out he had shut down the business several months ago for just that reason.

"We can't just tell him to get all the cars out of there," he said. "As soon as the planning board decides on the conditions he will have 180 days to comply."

The upshot of the meeting was the planning board granted American Dream Ventures approval as a used car showroom and repair facility with the stipulation that all conditions had to be met within six months.

The conditions are only 50 cars permitted on the property at one time, and the building must be painted and landscaping installed at several locations to provide screening for neighbors and drivers.

In a phone conversation, Chichester said he looks forward to continuing with the business and hopes to be open by summer with several dozen employees.

"I'd like to thank the planning board for their courtesy and thoroughness,” he said. "We have a gorgeous, underutilized piece of property and we hope to restore it to its former status.. The proof will be in the pudding."

NC wildfires scorch thousands of acres

Fires popped up in every county in North Carolina's Piedmont region Saturday, as forecasters warned that dry air and high winds made conditions ripe for fast-spreading flames.

State Forest Service spokesman Brian Haines said 183 fires were contained for about 500 acres, but that 39 fires stretching more than 4,000 acres were still not contained as of 8 p.m.

Lee Burwell, also with the state Forest Service, said that all 44 counties in the region he serves have at least one brush fire.

"There are definitely more fires than we can handle at this point," Burwell said Saturday afternoon.

Haines said there was no statewide burn ban in effect, but that burning was highly discouraged in dry, windy conditions.

Burn bans were in effect in Pender and Brunswick counties.

Warren County

Warren County has the largest fire in the state, which stretches for five miles along N.C. Highway 401, Haines said. More than 1,000 acres were burned as of 8 p.m.

About 15 fire departments were actively involved in battling the blaze, and crews saved two buildings from the woods fire at Shocco Springs and Limertown roads.

Warren County authorities were working to evacuate all the homes in the Park Town area around 4 p.m. because some of the houses were in danger of catching fire.

The flames scorched a graveyard in Afton, south of Warrenton.

Authorities said the fire was caused by a junk car that was being towed along Park Town Road. Sparks from the car ignited grass alongside the road.

SLIDESHOW    Fires pop up across NC

Harnett County

A brush fire broke out near Ray Road and Rainey Drive in Harnett County, destroying one home and causing extensive damage to another, emergency dispatch officials said.

Maxine Tibbets owns one of the damaged homes, but does not live there. She said one of the her tenants narrowly escaped when the house caught fire.

"(She) and her baby were still in the house and did not even realize that the house was on fire," Tibbets said. "Thank God that my other renter and her boyfriend came home... He realized that the house was on fire and was able to get her out with the baby."

Wake County

A brush fire that started on the side of the road near Wakefield Plantation Golf Course in north Raleigh Saturday afternoon spread into a neighboring subdivision, shutting down roads as firefighters battled the blaze.

Windy weather and dry conditions caused the fire to quickly scorch 25 acres, from the gold course to the back side of the Wakefield Plantation subdivision. Some parts of the course were completely charred, but only three homes sustained minor, exterior damage, said Falls Fire Chief Chris Wilson.

The fire was extinguished about 5 p.m.

A grass fire in Wendell damaged three homes in the Edgemont community. No one was injured.

Polk County

Fires burning since last Saturday have scorched 1,474 acres in Jude's Gap near Chimney Rock. Authorities said the wildfires were more than 95 percent contained and that they expected full containment by Monday evening. About $316,000 in damage has been done in the area. Nearly 150 firefighters are battling the blaze.

Pender County

A fire stretching 200 acres started around noon Saturday in the northwest part of Holly Shelter. Areas of Hoover Road near Hampstead were evacuated as a precaution.

Other counties

Multiple WRAL viewers reported a large fire along U.S. Highway 264 in Wilson.

Durham firefighters responded to a brush fire that threatened homes around the Duke Homestead Historic Site.

A building was impacted by a two-acre fire in Youngsville, Haines said. A large brush fire affected several abandoned homes and old cars on Rainbow Lane in Roseboro, according to the Sampson County Sheriff's Office. A brush fire also caught a vehicle on fire along Bart Road, near Middlesex, Nash County emergency officials said.

Firefighters also battled brush and grass fires on Spirit Hill Drive in Orange County, Bailey Church School Road in Chatham County and in Edgecombe and Hoke counties.

State forestry officials issued a red flag warning for Saturday, cautioning people against burning outdoors because of high winds and dry air. People should compost their brush piles or leave them until the state receives a soaking rainfall.

Parts of the state had sustained winds of up to 35 mph Saturday. More than 90 percent of North Carolina is considered abnormally dry, and an area stretching from Charlotte to Raleigh is in severe drought.

metal prices rise cause increase in theft

 As the price of metal goes up, so does the number of thefts of items like copper from homes and platinum from vehicles, officials say.

Sgt. D.W. Miller Jr., with the West Virginia State Police Princeton Detachment, said the state police have noticed an increase in metal thefts as the market price of metal continues to rise.

“Basically, any type of metal can be targeted,” Miller said. “Metal prices are going up with platinum and copper being the highest. People will take appliances, junk cars, just about everything. In a week, we have about six to eight metal theft related calls.”

Miller said police have seen entire vehicles towed away from the side of the road for scrap metal.

“A lot of times, if someone breaks down on the side of the road, they come along with a lowjack and tow the entire car off,” Miller said. “They basically take the whole car.  Even the price on junk cars has gone up. If there is a car on the side of the road for more than a day, someone will come and pick it up for scrap.”

Platinum from catalytic convertors is another item Miller said thieves are frequently after.

“A lot of catalytic convertors are reported tampered with,” he said. “We have a big problem with them due to the high price of platinum, and they’re very easy to mess with. They’ll take a battery-powered hand saw, zip them off, and be gone in a matter of seconds. Basically, if they’re going to take metal from a car, it’s going to be the catalytic convertors, if they don’t end up taking the entire car.”

Miller said the amount of metal in catalytic convertors isn’t much, though an ounce of platinum is worth quite a sum.

“Most of the time, they sell the cars to junk dealers, who can haul it off to other states to cash in for more money,” Miller said. “Platinum is selling at around $1,000 an ounce, so it’s quite lucrative. Of course, there isn’t enough platinum in a single catalytic convertor to get much of anything. ”

According to Miller, those caught attempting to steal metals from cars are often given fines or jail time.

“It’s a misdemeanor,” he said. “They can get a fine up to a year in jail.

Gold is another lucrative metal, though Miller said there haven’t been many gold thefts reported lately in the area.

“We haven’t seen a rise in it, but we do know most jewelry thieves go straight to the pawn shop,” Miller said.

Miller said there are some precautions residents and vehicle owners can take to prevent their homes or cars from being targeted.

“For cars, you can’t really tell anything’s been tampered with until you start it up and hear the exhaust has been cut,” he said. “People can look for damage to fencing as an indicator. Even if the car is right out in the open or in someone’s yard, they can just wake up to find the metal is gone. If you have an old house or property with copper in it, check it more closely to make sure it’s secure. Instead of checking it once or twice a week, you might want to check it once or twice a day. There isn’t a whole lot you can do, unfortunately.”

Bluefield Police Chief J.W. “Joe” Wilson said the Bluefield Police Department hasn’t seen an increase in thefts lately, but officers are keeping an eye out as prices on metals climb.

“A year ago, catalytic converter theft was a big thing, but recently, we haven’t had but one attempt reported in the past month,” Wilson said. “Metal prices are up and we do see a lot of people hauling metal. We haven’t seen an increase in thefts yet, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be one.”

Wilson said reports of copper theft continue to remain steady.

“The copper theft is about the same,” he said. “We haven’t had a lot come through or seen a big increase. Still, with prices going up, we could see a bigger jump soon.”

Though there hasn’t been a jump in jewelry thefts in the area, Wilson said there are ways for police to track down gold or jewelry thieves.

“When companies come in to buy gold, they give us a list of who’s selling it to them and how much they’re selling,” Wilson said. “We can keep and eye on things that way.”

Wilson said alert neighbors are the main reason they are able to catch copper thieves.

“In most instances, it takes neighbors to be alert and report it,” Wilson said. “If anyone sees suspicious activity, they need to let us know. We often can’t tell the difference between a thief and a homeowner, so we need help from the community. If you have metals, keep an eye on them. Thieves like to target abandoned houses or ones being refurbished. You can also lock up things of value.”

There are precautions Wilson said owners can take to deter thieves from targeting their vehicle.

“People can try to park it in safer places, somewhere with good lighting or where you can keep a better eye on it,” Wilson said. “Still, catalytic converter theft can happen in your driveway, in a public parking lot, and just about anywhere.”

Most importantly, Wilson said citizens need to report any suspicious person or incidents to their local law enforcement.

“If you suspect your car or residence has been tampered with, give us a call,” Wilson said.