I was under the impression that this "foundation" collected clothes and small items to directly aid needy children and families through Big Brothers Big Sisters. They call me at least once a month asking me for donations to the point of being downright pesky. I've made many donations to them which they've picked up from my house. Then I looked deeper into who they actually were. Hartsprings Foundation collects these items and then sells them in bulk for pennies per pound to For-Profit thrift stores like Savers who in turn sells your donated goods for 10x the price that they bought them for. Big Brothers Big Sisters does get some cash out of it, but look at it this way, for every $100 Savers makes on your donations, Big Brothers gets about $10. Basically Savers relies on donors to supply them with inexpensive inventory for them to sell for profit. Its legal and all but I was under the impression that my donation was going to BBBS in a more direct way.
I received a yellow card from them and I tried to schedule a pick-up via email. When I got a reply email from them I sent the info they requested but got a mailer daemon:
This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.
Delivery to the following recipients failed permanently:
* donations@hartsprings.org
Reason: Permanent Error
Then I tried to schedule a pick-up on their website www/hartsprings.org and got a message from Go Daddy saying it was expired. The telephone number on the card is different than the one on this page. How are you supposed to get in touch with these people? After reading some of the reviews, I worry about giving away my granddaughters' toys.
Your company calls every day, sometimes twice or three times. I left a message and from now on, every time you call, I am going to request a pickup and donate ONE SOCK. Let's see whose time gets wasted now.
They would get a ZERO rating from me if this website would accept the review without picking a star. I must get at least 2-3 calls per day from their number 413-732-7111 at least 4 times a week!!! I have NEVER donated a thing to this organization either monetarily or goods. I wish they would stop the incessant calling... No message is ever left. I have told my friends and family to not do business with them as they will get put on their "list" and endure the endless stream of phone calls and mailings......
Do yourself a favor and don't waste any of your time with this organization. They don't seem to have anyone who can answer questions with clear, concise and understandable responses. They specify one thing in their literature, but can't seem to provide consistent answers to simple questions. We will never deal with or donate to this organization. We've donated to the Epilepsy Foundation in the past with great success. Clear instructions and they do exactly what the say they will. Don't waste a minute with Hartsprings. Absolutely useless people.
I have asked repeatedly to be removed from their mailing list and receive no reply. I have now resorted to posting negative reviews each time I receive another unwanted solicitation. While they may help the unfortunate, they certainly don't care about their donors or anyone else they want money from.
- John
I have only have had good experiences donating gently used clothing and household items to this foundation. I hope the proceeds from the sale of my items goes to help someone in need.
Last fall I donated a ton of items such as small appliances, furniture, lighting, sports equip & clothing..... The driver was sketchy & was alone with no assistance.... He was very unprofessional & threw everything into the back of the truck, including fragile items that were clearly marked. Even lamps! I can't imagine what these items ended up looking like when his truck arrived back! I felt very disrespected & regretted my choice of charity.... I wanted to pass on my belongings because they were all in good to excellent condition & was hoping children & families would find them useful & gratful to have things that otherwise could not afford.
Seems like a scam and there workers need to be drug tested because they have drug addict supervisors no KOSHER
mostly good with this company - they call, arrange to pick up my items, leave a receipt. once didn't show up tho and stuff stayed out waiting until I called so that not good! but it's an organization I choose to donate to over others.
I just had a truck driver from this company absolutely kick my donation across the road and cussing. I will never donate to this foundation again.
Unfortunately my feelings/support for Hartsprings Foundation and Big Brothers/Sisters of CT has been ruined. Without permission your organization picked up three stuffed bags of Toddler winter clothing from my front porch - these were left there for my own brother to pick up for his grandson. Your insurance company, The Hartford, is insulting when they offer $100 per bag of clothes which were new or worn only one season by a toddler. Your organization should 1] never pick up anything from anyone not marked specifically for you 2] get another insurance carrier who will understand the value of clothing and the reason such are passed on after one/no use.
