FAQ

Question: What is Second Life Charity and Non-Profit?

• We turn your unwanted items into charitable donations. You donate your items, we sell or auction them, and then we donate a percentage of the net proceeds to the charity, non-profit, or GoFundMe of your choice. 

Question: How is this different from Goodwill or Salvation Army? 

• Unlike traditional thrift stores, you get to choose the cause your items support. Whether it’s a national non-profit or a personal fundraiser, we give you control over where the proceeds go. 

Question: How do you determine the selling price of my items?

• Second Life Charity and Non-Profit is committed to obtaining the highest possible price for every item we sell. Our team uses current market data, online resale trends, and past sales to determine an ideal listing price. If requested, we’re happy to work directly with the donor to agree on a fair and reasonable starting price before listing. Our goal is to maximize proceeds for your chosen charity or cause while ensuring your items sell in a timely manner.

Question: How does Second Life Charity and Non-Profit decide where and how to sell my items?

• The method of sale is determined at our sole discretion, based on the type, value, and marketability of each item. Our goal is always to maximize proceeds for your designated cause.

We choose the sales channel we believe will produce the best return, based on current demand and historical performance.

Your items may be sold through:

1. Online marketplaces (e.g., eBay, Facebook Marketplace)

2. Local auction houses

3. Direct sale to a reputable dealer (e.g., coins, collectibles, jewelry) when appropriate

Question: Is this a non-profit organization? 

• No. We’re a for-profit business with a mission to support charitable giving. We take a percentage from each sale to cover operations, and the rest goes to the cause you designate. 

Question: What types of items do you accept?

• We accept high-quality items with a minimum estimated resale value of $20 each. This includes designer clothing, electronics, collectibles, antiques, small furniture, and more. We do not accept broken, bulky, or low-value items. 

Question: Is there a minimum number of items required to schedule a pickup?

• Yes, we require a minimum of five qualifying items per pickup. 

Question: Do you pick up items for free?

• Yes, local pickups in Portage, MI are free with the required minimum number of items. 

Question: Do you accept vehicles, boats, or RVs?

• At this time, we do not accept cars, boats, RVs, trailers, or other titled vehicles. These items are often difficult to sell, involve title transfers, and require additional resources we currently don’t offer. We focus on smaller items that are easier to handle and deliver faster results for the causes you support.

Question: Can I choose more than one charity per donation?

• Yes! You can select multiple charities, but there is a minimum of 5 items per organization for each pickup.

For example, if you want to support 2 organizations, you’ll need to donate at least 10 items total—5 items for each charity. 

Question: What happens to my personal information?

• Your data is secure. We only use your contact info to coordinate pickups, track sales, and issue donation summaries. We never share or sell your data. 

Question: How do I know my donation was made?

• If requested, we’ll send you a donation summary via email after your item sells, including: 

  1. Final sale price

  2. Name of the supported charity 

  3. Proof of donation (receipt, confirmation email, or screenshot) 

Question: What if I don't know who I want to support

• No problem! We offer a curated list of popular local and national charities to help you decide. This list includes animal rescues, veteran services, food banks, schools, and more. 

Question: Do you come inside to pick up items?

• No, for safety and liability reasons, we do not enter homes.
  Please have your items clearly labeled and placed either, on your front porch, or Just inside an open garage door at the scheduled pickup time.                       We appreciate your help in making the process smooth and contact-free!

Question: Do I need to clean or prepare my items?

• Yes, we kindly ask that all donated items be clean, in working condition, and ready to sell. This helps us sell them faster and maximize proceeds for your cause.

Question: Can I get a tax receipt for my donation?

• Because we are not a nonprofit organization, we do not issue tax-deductible receipts. However, you can receive a summary of your item's sale and the donation made to your chosen cause.

Question: How does the item selling process work?

• For items listed online for sale, we start with a competitive price and reduce it by 25% of the current price every 7 days (rounded to the nearest dollar) until it reaches a minimum sale price of $20.

Note: Every item listed online will remain active for at least 30 days before it is considered for delisting.

Some items—such as collectibles, coins, or high-value pieces—may be sold through auctions or directly to reputable dealers, which follow a different sales process.

This pricing strategy for online listings helps us sell items in a timely manner while maximizing proceeds for your chosen cause.

Question: Can you refuse or reject items at the time of pickup?

• Yes. We reserve the right to decline any items during pickup that do not meet our quality standards, minimum value requirements, or accepted item categories.

This policy helps us focus on items that will sell well and maximize donations to your chosen causes.

Question: What happens if my items don’t sell?

• While we work hard to sell every item at the best price, some items may ultimately remain unsold.

Please note that unsold items are not returned to the donor and will be disposed of at the sole discretion of Second Life Charity and Non-Profit.