Towing is a big part of what we do at Kars4Kids. We count on our excellent relationships with towing companies in every part of the country to ensure speedy and pleasant service to our donors. One of our favorite allies in this work would be Jimmy of JT and Sons Towing, out in sunny Oakland, California. We talked to Jimmy to learn more about the towing business, and his work with Kars4Kids:
Kars4Kids: What’s the best part of working for Kars4Kids?
Jimmy T: Having 18 years as a manager of the Police Impound yard (car jail) for the city of Oakland, EVERYTHING is great being a part of the Kars4Kids team! Your donors appreciate us picking up their cars knowing that their donation is going to make a positive impact on other peoples’ lives. It is also great having the opportunity to meet and interact with different people every day providing a service. They say “thank you.” Sometimes they even offer a water or an appreciative hug.
Kars4Kids: What’s the worst part?
Jimmy T: The toughest part is working with California DMV paperwork that indicates a lien holder on your donors’ titles /registration where the lien holder is out of business. The other is my 7-year-old son, Sammy, who knows the Kars4Kids song by heart and sings it to me while I’m on the phone every day. On the lighter side, Sammy’s singing of the Kars4Kids song has resulted in referrals from his school and from parents in his after school programs!
Kars4Kids: How long have you provided towing services for Kars4Kids?
Jimmy T: I appreciate the opportunity to have been providing towing services for the Kars4Kids team since July of 2017.
Kars4Kids: How does working with Kars4Kids compare to what you used to do: work with public law enforcement agencies?
Jimmy T: Working with Kars4Kids is such a different world for me, towing cars for people who appreciate the concept of car donation. As a proud father of 4- and 7-year-old boys and a husband of an amazing, supportive wife, this opportunity has been amazing for our family. Working with Kars4Kids means no more angry impounded-car owners. The Kars4Kids donors are happy to have their vehicles picked up. We work long hours with some holidays and weekends, but always get a great night’s sleep not putting someone’s car in jail (impounding).
On a positive note, my experience with the public in car impoundment has proven to be extremely helpful for assisting your donors with complicated pickups, such as cars behind houses; missing tires; or located down hills, or customers with incomplete or missing DMV paperwork. If needed, we even go to the DMV on behalf of your donors to acquire paperwork to facilitate the donation.
Kars4Kids: Can you share some interesting on-the-job incidents or stories for our readers?
Jimmy T: On average, we bring in about 80 cars a week or 3,200 car a year from your donors and there are two incidents that I have not forgotten.
The first was in 2017 when we were picking up a VW from a very strong and large personal trainer. He was very nice but became quite emotional about letting go of his first car. After an awkward few moments of emotions (tears), I tried to lighten the moment by asking him if he needed a hug. Well, he apparently he did want a hug… an extended uncomfortable hug. He did follow up with a phone call to thank us for understanding.
The other incident was in Vallejo last year. I don’t remember the car but the donor had what appeared to be a very large shiny gun protruding from the front of his waistband while we were on the street. As he was signing the title (standing next to me) the gun almost fell out and he made a quick motion to secure it. At this point I asked if there is anything I should be concerned about. He responded, “No, it is my lightsaber from StarWars and I keep it with me at all times.” The donor proudly pulled the lightsaber out of his waistband and asked if I wanted to hold it. I opted for a photo instead.
Kars4Kids: Anything you’d like to add about working with Kars4Kids?
Jimmy T: I appreciate the ongoing support from the Kars4Kids customer care team when we need help with your donors or for getting reference numbers for the referrals we bring in.
Lastly, I thank all of you for your help and this opportunity. We look forward to growing with the Kars4Kids team.
