Donate Old Car - Use Your Common Sense When Choosing a Charity
When you want to donate, old car or new car, make sure you are dealing with a valid charity. There are dozens, if not hundreds, of legitimate charities out there that take donations of vehicles. There are also likely as many people out there posing as a charity. It is important to make sure you find a legitimate charity. These charitable organizations come in many forms. National charities such as Goodwill and the Kidney Foundation are common receivers. Many donors want to help their local charities as well. Look for a local charity with a good reputation. If you find one that you have never heard of before, avoid it. It may be legitimate, but you must be careful with whom you place your trust.
When you want to donate, old car or new, verify that the charity holds a valid 501(c) 3 registration as a charity. Make sure you see proof in writing and check with authorities to verify it is valid. Many religious organizations do not register since the law does not require it for them. Just make sure they are a legitimate organization related to a church. Be wary of any group that refuses to provide proper documentation when you request it. That is a signal they are likely not a legitimate charitable group.
When you want to donate, old car or new, ask questions until you are comfortable. Many charities use an intermediary to deal with selling the cars. Some donors do not want to deal with charities that do this. However, many charities do this to keep costs down for them. While the intermediary keeps a portion of the profit, the charities do not have to employ people specifically to handle the sale and receipt of these vehicles. If you are not comfortable with this trade-off, then you may need to find a charity that doesn't use an intermediary.
When you want to donate, old car or new, be wary of any charges for the donation. Some charities charge a fee if they pick up the vehicle. Most charities will not. Fees for donation are a sign of a group out for maximum profit. They may be a charitable organization, but it bears watching before you make a donation. Use your gut. If something doesn't smell right, walk away. Once the car gets into their hands, you will have few options to get it back.
