We have worked with Wayfarians in 49 states (North Dakota is our one hold out), so we’ve been there with hundreds of folks who have bought a van from an out of state dealership. It can seem complicated at first, but it really isn’t much of a hurdle.

Here are our top tips for buying a new van out of state, whether or not it is a dealership that we have a partnership with.

Working With A Wayfarer Dealer Partner

We’ve worked with several dealerships in Colorado, and a few in other states as well. Reach out to us on our contact page, and we can help put you in touch with a dealer who best meets your needs. When working with our dealers, we make sure they are going to be fair, aren’t going to pull any funny business with the price, and understand the options that are most suitable for camper vans.

Working With Any Other Dealer

If you cast a wide enough net, it’s far easier to find a van that perfectly fits your needs. Let’s say you live in Oregon, want a Wayfarer Van (we’re in Colorado), but find your perfect van at a dealership in Idaho. How would you go about your purchase?

1. Contact the dealer, make sure the van you see online is currently available. You can request more photos or arrange a video call with the seller to see more details.
2. If you plan to finance the cost of the Wayfarer conversion with your van, we’ll send you a sales order for your conversion to share with the dealership.
3. Complete your paperwork remotely with the dealership.
4. Connect us with the dealership, and we’ll arrange and pay for your van to be shipped from the dealership to our shop in Colorado Springs. We’ll convert your van and it can be shipped back to your house.

Reach Out To Wayfarer

The first step in buying a van from another state is to do your research. Start by researching the make and model of the vehicle you are interested in, and compare prices in different states. Look for reviews of the seller or dealership online to ensure they have a good reputation. You can also request detailed photos or arrange a video call to get a better idea of the van’s condition – especially if it is a used van.

How Do I Complete Paperwork?

Depending on the dealership that you are working with, you’ll either sign the paperwork electronically, or the paperwork will be mailed to your house for you to complete and send back.

What About Taxes?

When you register your van in your home state, you’ll pay your local sales tax. If you live in a state that doesn’t have sales tax – then you’ll skip this step. This is typically collected when you register your van, so be prepared for that first registration to be more expensive than if you had already paid the taxes at the dealership.

What About My Plates and Registration?

The dealership selling the van will put temporary tags on it. Most states give you 30 days from purchase to register your vehicle.
When you head to your DMV, most states only require you to bring your bill of sale, drivers license and proof of address. These documents will allow you to register the vehicle in your name and at your home address.

Will I Need To Go Back To The Dealership?

You can take your van to any mechanic and not void the factory warranty on it. And for any warranty or recall issues, you can visit any dealership in the country. Service plans for oil changes or anything else are associated with the vehicles VIN and will be honored at any franchised dealership.

What About Insurance?

Contact your preferred auto insurer, let them know you’re purchasing a van, and they can add it to your insurance policy with coverage beginning on the day of the sale.

How Does Shipping Work?

Wayfarer will pay for your van to be shipped to our shop. Then you can fly out to our shop to begin your road trip home, or we can arrange to have it shipped to your house at your expense. Check out our shipping page for more information on this process.