I tried to donate my car to Charity Motors. I submitted information about the vehicle and my address online, and received confirmation and a thank you for the donation via email, including instructions to sign the title and send a copy back to Charity Motors ... which I did. The email also noted that I would be contacted by a logistics company that would transport the vehicle. I spoke with the logistics company and they let me know that the vehicle would likely be picked up by the end of the week.
I waited patiently for 4 weeks. I was very busy and did not have time to follow up, and I just assumed that the hurricane that had passed by might have thrown the schedule for a loop and that the logistics company would call soon. I called them today and they told me that Charity Motors had told them not to bother with the pickup. Later on the same day that they had confirmed the donation with me and that I had spoken with the logistics company to coordinate the pickup, the pickup was canceled by Charity Motors, and no attempt was made to contact me and let me know that it had been canceled.
I called Charity Motors. The customer service representative answered, "Charity Motors. Please hold." and then he put me on hold for 3 minutes. When he came back on the line, I told him the situation, and he put me on hold again for another 3 minutes. When he came back on the line he said, "it says that there was a message delivered, so I apologize if you didn't receive it." I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt here, but I'm dubious. There was definitely no message delivered via phone or email. Was the "message" lost in the mail? Was it a telegram? Smoke signal? Skywriter?
Long story short ... the car was not worth enough for them to transport it to their nearest location (from South Florida to Maryland). I can totally understand that. However, in this instance, Charity Motors clearly does not have its act together. Between the time when they confirmed the donation and asked for a copy of the title and the time when they canceled the pickup with the logistics company (without bothering to contact me) they didn't learn anything new about the car. They knew the value of the car and its location ... and presumably they knew where their own nearest location was when they asked me to sign and send them the title and when they originally initiated the pickup with the logistics company. Then today, I sat on hold for 6 minutes of a call that lasted about 7 and 1/2 minutes.
All in all, a lot of little problems, and nothing in the experience was handled well. I actually did a fair amount of research on car donation options before choosing Charity Motors. Maybe my experience is an anomaly, but I think it suggests that Charity Motors is not well-run. Donor beware ... and don't sign your title until someone is physically there to pick up the car.
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- EIN 38-3251827
- info@charitymotors.org
- (313) 933-4000
- 10431 Grand River Ave Detroit MI 48204 USA
- www.charitymotors.org
- Facebook page
- CharityMotors
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Philanthropy, Philanthropy, Charity & Voluntarism Promotion
Mission: For over 20 years, Charity Motors has been the leading car donation program. We are committed to making a positive impact on underprivileged individuals, families, and communities. Our streamlined car donation program is designed for your convenience, enabling you to donate your car to charity with complete confidence. With the support of our donors, Charity Motors has given over $125 MILLION to charitable causes, nationwide. We are so thankful for each and every donor, as their car donation provides affordable transportation to low-income families, and provides funding for thousands of local churches and charities. Being one of the most reputable car donation charities in the United States, Charity Motors is dedicated to helping individuals in need by providing affordable transportation. Our mission is made possible by allowing people to donate cars to charity, which are then offered as donation cars for sale at significantly reduced prices for low-income families. By donating your car to Charity Motors, you are not only contributing to a meaningful cause, but also benefiting from a tax deduction.
Geographic areas served: Detroit, MI
Programs: For over 20 years, Charity Motors has been the leading car donation program. We are committed to making a positive impact on underprivileged individuals, families, and communities.. Our streamlined car donation program is designed for your convenience, enabling you to donate your car to charity with complete confidence. With the support of our donors, Charity Motors has given over $125 MILLION to charitable causes, nationwide. We are so thankful for each and every donor, as their car donation provides affordable transportation to low-income families, and provides funding for thousands of local churches and charities.