There is nothing that says “stress” quite as well as moving to another state or town. On top of coordinating the packing of your entire house, the changing of your job and onboarding to your next one, and saying goodbye to all your friends and family around you, you also have to deal with all the things you are leaving behind.
One of the biggest challenges during a move is deciding what to do with your car. With a short deadline, you might feel pressured to sell your car quickly or face the high costs and long wait times associated with shipping it to your new location.
When moving away from Hawaii to the mainland, this becomes infinitely more complicated than moving almost everywhere else in the US. This is of course because the trip is necessarily overseas.
As a result, most people are faced with selling their cars on very short deadlines, or choosing to pay expensive fees with long wait times to ship their cars by boat over to the mainland.
Neither of these options are very appealing, as due to scarcity, it is usually more expensive to buy a car in Hawaii. When it comes to selling the car down the line, people find that the relative depreciation in value means that they end up with a much lower price than they originally paid.
Documentation
Regardless of which option you choose, you will need to provide a few pieces of documentation if you wish to sell your car in Hawaii. These are an auto bill of sale and a car title transfer.
The auto bill of sale is a legal document which states that your car has been sold, and includes detailed mechanical information such as the VIN, make, model, year, and mileage of the car.
The car title transfer shows ownership of the car. When you sell your car, you must provide the buyer with the title of the car. The buyer is then responsible for completing the transaction with the department of transportation.
Dealership Sale
One option for selling your used car is through a dealership. There are several such dealerships in Hawaii, all of which specialize in guiding you through the process of selling a used car.
However, there are some significant downsides with going through a dealership. As a business, they can’t be expected to offer you the maximum amount your car is worth because they still have to sell it on to someone else. It is likely that you will take a significant loss of a few thousand dollars if you choose to sell your car through a dealership.
Private Sale
Another option for selling your car is to sell privately to another person. This is often done through social media apps like Facebook or Craigslist. This provides the opportunity to get full market value for your vehicle but comes with significantly more risks.
The market for cars is fluid, so what you get for selling your car depends on when you do so. It could be very highly in demand, or in low demand, and none of that is in your control.
There are also risks inherent to the private sale of cars, such as the fact that you have to repeatedly show your car to strangers, give out your contact details on the internet, often have no-show appointments when you have rescheduled your day to accommodate them, or have people give low-ball offers.
As a result, the strategy for selling well on a private sale platform is often to wait and watch until the perfect buyer comes along. Unfortunately, this is not something you have time to do if you are moving back to the mainland soon.
Shipping the Car to the Mainland
Another potential option is shipping the car back to the mainland with you. This option is most commonly used by people who either run out of time, or who have an ongoing need for their cars once on the mainland.
Shipping the car back is a significant investment of both time and money. It takes from two to four weeks on average for the car to be shipped from Hawaii to any mainland port on the continental US.
Additionally, there are shipping fees to consider. These fees will differ depending on the size, weight, and destination of the car, but in general are between $1500 and $3000 USD. The most cost-effective method is Roll-on/Roll-off shipping, where the vehicle is lashed to the deck. This, however, provides no additional protection. Alternatively, you can ship the vehicle in a container, but this is more expensive.
Most companies only include basic insurance costs in the shipping fees, so make sure you take pictures before and after to document the process. If there is any damage incurred during the transport that is not covered, it will be at your expense.
Donating Your Car to Kidney Cars
Donating your car to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii is a simple and convenient process. You start by filling out an online form, after which you will receive a phone call to confirm the details of your donation. You then mail in your car title, and within 3-5 days of approval, a tow truck will be scheduled to pick up your vehicle at no cost to you. This hassle-free process eliminates the need for advertising, negotiating with potential buyers, or dealing with the logistics and costs of shipping your car to the mainland. It’s a straightforward way to make a significant contribution to a worthy cause while simplifying your move.
When you donate a car to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii’s Kidney Cars program, the funds generated from the sale of your vehicle are put to impactful and meaningful use. These funds play a crucial role in supporting various programs and services aimed at improving the lives of individuals affected by kidney disease. Here are some key areas where your donation makes a difference:
1. Education and Awareness: The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii uses these funds to raise public awareness about kidney health and the importance of early detection and prevention. Educational programs and community outreach initiatives are designed to inform the public about risk factors, the importance of regular screenings, and ways to maintain healthy kidneys. By promoting education and awareness, the foundation aims to reduce the incidence of kidney disease and encourage healthier lifestyles.
2. Advocacy: Another vital area of funding is advocacy. The foundation actively works to influence public policy and legislation to improve access to care and resources for kidney patients. This includes lobbying for healthcare reforms, funding for kidney disease research, and programs that ensure patients receive adequate support and treatment. By advocating for these changes, the foundation helps to create a more supportive environment for kidney disease patients and ensures their needs are represented at the governmental level.
In summary, when you donate your car to the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, you are contributing to a broad spectrum of initiatives that provide crucial support to patients, promote kidney health, and advance advocacy efforts. Additionally, the convenience of the donation process makes it an excellent choice for those moving from Hawaii to the mainland. Your donation has a far-reaching impact, helping to improve and save lives within the community.
