Donating Your Automobile Supports Charity Organizations

There are many ways to support one's favorite charity. Donating one's time and resources is always welcome. People can give money, food and used items like shoes, clothes and furniture. Donating a car is another thing they can do, and get a tax deduction in the process.

Charitable organizations do not discriminate. They will accept not just cars, but other types of vehicles as well, like trucks and vans. Old, unused or even damaged cars can be donated and put to good use. Some vehicles may be unsuitable for driving, but their parts can be sold and the proceeds used for other projects.

People who cannot afford to buy their own means of transportation are the main beneficiaries of a car donation charity. They are given old but running cars or repaired cars, so they can drive to work and access shops and schools. Being mobile is important especially for those living in areas far from public transportation routes.

Some vehicles may be beyond repair and can only be sold for parts and scrap metal. This does not mean that they cannot be used to benefit other people in need. Charitable organizations can use the proceeds of the sale to fund other projects.

For the owners, a car donation charity is not their only option for disposing their old, unused or damaged vehicles. They can repair and sell the vehicles themselves, or they can trade them in a dealership. Both cases require a significant investment of time and effort for the owners.

For instance, even if they can fix a car for resale, they would still need to put up ads, answer inquiries and try to strike an agreement with prospect after prospect. Trading a car in a dealership involves fewer hassles, but they may never be sure that they are getting a fair price. Donating them to charity on the other hand is a simple transaction, making owners eligible for a corresponding tax break.

Donors should make sure to document the fair market value of their vehicle. The tax deduction is equivalent to this value, unless the charity sells the vehicle for a lower price, in which case, the selling price becomes the tax-deductible amount. For example, a $1500 car sold for $1000 entitles the donor to a $1000 off in their taxes.

Donating a car or other types of vehicles is a generous way of showing support to a deserving charity. By being able to provide other families their own transportation or giving the charity another means to fund projects, donors are making a difference in other people's lives, whether they know it or not. Getting a tax break is just icing on the cake.

If you have an automobile that may not sell for much, consider looking into donating an automobile to one of the many charities in your city or town. Finding a car donation charity is worthwhile and will work as a deduction on your taxes.

Tags: Automotive, autos, charity, donation, Finance, general, government, non-profit, philanthropy, society, taxes, vehicles

Stop Automotive Repair Fraud and Save Money

Too many automotive centers are taking advantage of the consumer's lack of knowledge about their automobile or truck. While there are many trustworthy shops that do honorable and reliable work, there are always places that just take the consumer's money while not making the necessary repairs, if they do any work at all.

The government and press are trying to intervene, and while some shops are getting caught and being indicted with fraud, too many shops are still doing it, and getting away with it. You have probable seen the headlines about automotive repair shops being charged with fraud because they lied or cheated their customers in a certain way.

Here are some tips on how to be better educated about your automobile so that when you go into a shop for repairs, you will know what to say and more important, what you should look for when the vehicle is in the shop.

The most important thing is to go to a reputable place of business. Ask your friends where they have their vehicles repaired. Ask them why they like the shop, what their fees are, and how long they have been using that particular place. Just doing a little homework and research will save you a lot of headaches and money.

When you take your vehicle to the shop of your choice, be very specific in what you want done. For example, if you need tires, let them know you are in there just for tire work. If the service advisor tells you that you need other work done, do not be afraid to ask why it is needed. If he is trying to sell you a tune-up, and all you asked for was tires that should raise a red flag. There is no reason for the mechanic to look under the hood when the vehicle is in there only for tires.

The service advisor may tell you that you need brakes or that you have leaks, both of which can be relatively easily spotted when the vehicle is in the air and the wheels are off the vehicle. Ask the advisor for measurements of components that are worn, such as the brakes, and ask if you can take a look for yourself. If they will not give a measurement or they will not allow you to view the problem, do not have them repair it. As a matter of fact, do not let them do any work and take your vehicle somewhere else. Most reputable shops have no problems with these requests.

If you need major repairs, such as engine replacement or transmission replacement or an overhaul, always get a second opinion from another reputable shop. If you have built up a good relationship with your existing shop, this may not be necessary. But if this is the first time you have brought your vehicle to a new shop, you really need to get that second opinion, even if it takes just a phone call. Sometimes it is not practical to have your vehicle towed from one shop to another, and then back again to the original shop.

By being an informed consumer, you can save yourself hundreds or thousands of dollars on car repair costs over the years. It's not cheap to maintain your automobile these days, so make sure to do your homework when it comes to finding a good shop so that you do not become a victim of automotive repair fraud.

Tags: automobile, Automotive, consumer, educated, Family, fraud, friends, government, repair shops, repairs, tips, truck, vehicle, work