Selling Non Running Cars

spierceisu

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Jan 28, 2007
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I reached out to a company called Cash for Cars online in Des Moines and they gave me an offer to pickup my car and give me a certified check for it. Has anyone had any experiences with them? Has pretty good reviews on Google but just checking before I commit to anything.
 

JM4CY

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I donated a giant piece of crap to a nonprofit a several years ago and wrote it off my taxes. I would be curious now what I could of gotten through something like this. Note to self: never by salvage title vehicles in Oskaloosa.
 
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1100011CS

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Oct 5, 2007
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I donated a giant piece of crap to a nonprofit a several years ago and wrote it off my taxes. I would be curious now what I could of gotten through something like this. Note to self: never buy salvage title vehicles in Oskaloosa.
I bought one(not in Okaloosa) several years ago. The thing has been a pia every day since.
 

BCClone

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Not exactly sure.
I donated a giant piece of crap to a nonprofit a several years ago and wrote it off my taxes. I would be curious now what I could of gotten through something like this. Note to self: never by salvage title vehicles in Oskaloosa.
Didn't know places would buy that type of stuff. Did you eat a lot of cheese to bind yourself up?
 
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83cy

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May 14, 2006
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Don't use Cars For Kids, they will fire sale your vehicle at auction for pennies on the dollar, and the funds aren't exactly used for the nobleness of causes.
 

2speedy1

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Jan 4, 2014
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I bought a salvage title once, never again.
I bought a Honda Civic for a work car years ago, with a salvage title. I put over 300,000 more miles on it, and the only reason I sold it was because I hit a deer and it wasnt worth fixing. But someone else bought it from me and planned to fix it. I put almost nothing into it for those miles, outside general maintenance.

I think it really is hit or miss on salvage title cars, why it was salvage, what the car is, and how good the work was done.
 

spierceisu

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When I called Cash for Cars they needed a picture of the title (front and back) to validate there is no lean against it. It seems fishy but the reviews seem to be ok. Is there any risk of sending pictures of the title for fraud purposes? Just don't want to have a fraud issue.
 

Dgilbertson

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Sep 16, 2023
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I did one of these when my CRV kicked the bucket. I know I kept details hidden on my title until I felt 100% confident/payment went through.

It felt fishy the whole time, but it ended up working out.
 

spierceisu

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Jan 28, 2007
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I did one of these when my CRV kicked the bucket. I know I kept details hidden on my title until I felt 100% confident/payment went through.

It felt fishy the whole time, but it ended up working out.
They need the title pictures to setup the pickup. Supposed to be a certified check at pickup.
 

VeloClone

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Jan 19, 2010
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Don't use Cars For Kids, they will fire sale your vehicle at auction for pennies on the dollar, and the funds aren't exactly used for the nobleness of causes.
I wouldn't do that on principle. They deserve nothing after subjecting us all to those terrible commercials both on radio and TV.

I donated a car to a local charity that fixes them up in a disability auto repair training program.

I also know that several charitable organizations accept vehicle donations. For example the Knights of Columbus will accept donated cars, boats and motorcycles I believe. They put that money to use in a variety of pretty good causes.
 
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spierceisu

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Jan 28, 2007
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Update: I ended up selling my non running car to Cash for Cars (A Copart company). I was leery when they told me to send a picture of the front and back of the title. I did call the Iowa Attorney Consumer Line and they said that it seems reasonable since they are buying the car sight unseen. It was originally scheduled for pickup on Friday (the day after finalizing the deal) but they didn't have a driver able to pick it up. They came today (Monday) and gave me the check for the agreed price and I gave them the signed title. This was all done with a contracted tow truck driver and it was super easy. I would recommend again for sure. One of the easiest experiences I had.
 

flycy

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Jul 17, 2008
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They are tempting because they look good and are so much lower priced. Never worth it. Insurance alone is hard to get. Then they usually have terrible engine problems, sometimes the frame is bent. Just bad news
I've had many salvaged vehicles and have never had a problem with any of them. They are much harder to sell if you want to get rid of them though. You have to know why they were salvaged, and how they were repaired. Helps to have good enough knowledge to inspect them yourself. I avoid any with airbag deployment and would never ever mess with a flooded car. My latest was a Hyundai that had been stolen. Repaired myself in about an hour by putting in a complete steering column from a junkyard including key for less than $100. Took it down to get the recall antitheft added right after. (Won't start once doors are lock unless unlocked by FOB) It's been a great school car for my son.
 
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Cyforce

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Nov 24, 2009
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Des Moines
Blew the motor in my 2004 Durango ( work vehicle) donated to sheep’s gate, use to be teen challenge. Towed it from my work lot and I get a tax credit. It’s either 2 or 300 I honestly don’t remember.
 

Cychl82

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Just received my tax deduction verification from the company I used. Very good to work with. Sheep gate is a good recommendation
 
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ISUATC

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I've donated two vehicles to Sheep Gate. Quick and easy and as discussed, and a tax write off.
 
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Remo Gaggi

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Donated an old Mercedes to Sheep Gate. Got a nice tax deduction, they made it super easy, tow truck came by and took it away. Surprised by how much it sold for.
 
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