Construction equipment auctions provide buyers and sellers alike an opportunity to acquire machinery at fair prices. Auction houses that specialize in this form of selling provide guidance regarding payment collection procedures and pickup protocols.
Choose an auction house with a strong buyer base and a solid reputation for transparency and professionalism, who understand the equipment that you are selling. Ideally, they should also possess expert knowledge regarding it.
Buying Equipment at an Auction
With equipment supply at a premium, some contractors are turning to auctions as an economical means of purchasing used construction equipment. But to successfully buy at auction requires careful preparation and planning.
Prior to auction day, buyers must identify their equipment needs, budget and transportation plan. Plotting value can be done via auction results, online marketplaces, equipment guides and manufacturer websites or relationships with dealers.
Buyers should understand auction terms and conditions, especially with regard to incremental bids, before engaging in bidding wars at auctions. Furthermore, they should verify whether equipment they are interested in is lien-free before making their bid – this is important because lenders need clear title before providing financing for such transactions. For this reason, some buyers opt to hire professional appraisers prior to auctioning events to inspect and appraise equipment ahead of sale day; some auction companies even guarantee refunds should they discover an unsettled lien after having made the purchase!
Selling Equipment at an Auction
Contractors looking for affordable used bulldozers, backhoes, tractors, work trucks and other machinery should attend construction equipment auctions. Not only can contractors take advantage of competitive bidding prices at these events but purchasing equipment through auction also saves them from depreciation associated with buying brand-new equipment.
Before attending an auction, buyers should always set and stick to a budget. Otherwise, bidding could quickly get out of hand and lead you down an unexpected path of spending beyond what was intended or necessary. Be mindful that many items sold at auctions may not fully function; payment and transport arrangements must often be finalised promptly after an auction ends.
Avoid auctions by listing your equipment online through Craigslist, eBay or Facebook Marketplace classified ads – an easier and potentially more profitable way of selling. By restricting who sees your listing you can limit how many people view it at one time.
Getting Ready for an Auction
Preparing for an auction requires extensive research, preparation and knowledge of its processes. Equipment buyers can learn more by subscribing to auction company newsletters, browsing company websites, trade journal ads or newspaper ads as well as building relationships with auctioneers and equipment salesmen.
Buyers need to be sure they identify both the condition and value of any equipment purchased, whether that means engaging a professional appraiser, comparing similar prices on used markets or new equipment pricing guides or conversing with other contractors.
Purchase equipment at auction can be an exciting yet fast-paced process, so it is crucial to set and adhere to a budget before entering. Buyers should also plan transportation costs; either by hiring a specialist transport company for heavy loads, or transporting it themselves if possible. Finally, financing should be arranged prior to attending; most auctions require full payment within a short timeframe after sales conclude.
Getting the Best Deal
An informed bidder can make all the difference at an auction. Do your research to assess market values, equipment condition and other aspects to establish an ideal reserve price. Use past auction results, dealer pricing or online listings as benchmarks when setting this figure; remembering that equipment age, location and maintenance standards may differ between buyers.
Attending a construction equipment auction is an efficient and cost-effective way to grow or upgrade your fleet. Experienced contractors are finding exceptional deals on both basic and more specialized items in this secondary marketplace. To maximize the auction experience, find a reputable auction house with a large buyer base as well as proven transparent processes and professional conduct – then conduct thorough inspections on-site during inspection days as well as online via high resolution photos with descriptive details if applicable.