If you need to downsize or just want to declutter unused machinery, machine auctions provide an excellent means of selling your equipment at a venue where you can realize a fair return.
But with so many various kinds of machinery auctions being held on any particular week across Australia, it might be hard to know which will be the optimal place to sell what you are offering.
Because of this, if you’re in the gardening, landscaping, farming, or construction industry, being aware of the auction process and knowing what machines to place on the block and when can mean the difference between receiving top dollar or not.
So, in order to get a better idea of things, in this guide we will disassemble the finest equipment to auction off, the reasons why such auctions can prove useful, and emphasize some strategies for achieving the best sale price you can.
Why Sell Machinery at Auction?
In selling equipment, you can sell it privately. This may take a number of months, depending on how far-reaching your advertising campaign is and where you are geographically located.
That is why, if you are interested in a fast and effective sale, you might want to sell at a physical marketplace or at online machinery auctions with AuctionsPlus or other such websites.
In contrast to fixed-price listings, auctions possess the unique benefit of stimulating competitive bidding, which can ultimately increase the final sale price. Thus, if you have a machine that is in demand, you may end up receiving a significantly higher price than you expected.
Also, since the auction houses and websites expose the machinery to potential buyers who seriously look for it, your machine will be subjected to the desired audience.
This, in turn, will make a successful sale more likely and eliminate any negotiations you might be involved in with a private sale.
Which Types of Machinery Sell Best at Auctions?
Just like in all marketplaces, not all machines at auctions hold the same monetary or operational value as others. Additionally, some will naturally be more desirable to buyers and fetch higher prices.
That said, here are some of the top categories of machinery that sell well at auctions.
1. Agricultural and Farming Equipment
Farm equipment are always popular and can cost a lot of money. Therefore, they are always a top choice for auction.
Tractors (especially John Deere, Massey Ferguson, and Kubota models), reapers, plows, and tillers are best sellers in general terms. Yet, there are always plenty of interested parties for seed drills and planters, irrigation management systems, hay balers, and lawn mowers.
Typically, consumers want clean, late-model equipment. Even older, well-working machines can bring high bids, though.
2. Construction and Heavy Equipment
Contractors and construction firms continually seek high-quality equipment for moderate prices, with excavators, bulldozers, loaders (wheel loaders, backhoes, skid steers), dump trucks, concrete mixers, and cranes in high demand.
Because of the type of work they perform, these machines are able to fetch high prices, particularly if they are in good condition and have clear maintenance records.
3. Landscaping and Gardening Machinery
For those who own a landscaping or gardening company, auctions are a wonderful source of selling your outdated equipment.
Both commercial and ride-on lawnmowers, as well as wood chippers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, and garden tool, will sell well. Typically, representatives of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as individual customers, usually come to auctions hoping to find a good value gem.
4. Industrial and Manufacturing Equipment
Most companies prefer to use auctions for disposing of excess industrial machinery, including CNC machines, press brakes, metalworking equipment, generators, and forklifts.
That is due to the fact that buyers from manufacturing firms are constantly on the lookout for good-quality machinery that is sold at a significantly lower price compared to new machines.
Tips To Sell Successful at a Machinery Auction
After you have selected the machinery auction that will best allow you to off-load your unwanted inventory, there are a number of things you can do to make the sale more likely.
Clean and well-maintained equipment always fetches better prices, so before you put your item up for sale, ensure that it’s in top condition by having it serviced (replacing faulty parts) and thoroughly cleaned.
Since the customers will also be interested in the history and status of the machines they are about to buy, make sure that you have the maintenance records and user manuals handy, and also take good quality photographs to make the buyers interested.
Be sure to establish a realistic reserve price so that your equipment does not go for a price lower than its market price. Meanwhile, create a list of selling points, including low hours of operation, under warranty, or service done recently, so that it can be highlighted among other comparable equipment that could possibly be in stock there.