Bid smarter.
Avoid the surprises.
Buying from Ritchie Bros, IronPlanet, or MachineryTrader auctions? We inspect the machine before you bid, recommend a bid ceiling, bid on your behalf if you want, and coordinate transport after the sale.
Why bring a broker into auction buying
Auctions look like the cheapest way to buy used heavy equipment. Sometimes they are. But the listing photos are often three years old, condition reports are written by the auction house (not a neutral party), and the headline hammer price doesn't include the buyer premium (8–12%), transport, or whatever surprises surface when you actually run the machine.
We close that information gap before you bid — and handle the logistics after.
How it works
You send us the auction listing
Lot number, auction date, link. Tell us your max budget and any deal-breakers.
We inspect on inspection day
On-site walk, photo / video, fluid check, run the machine when possible. Honest condition report — not auction-house spin.
Bid recommendation
Realistic ceiling based on recent comp data, condition, transport cost, and remaining wear-part life. We tell you when to walk.
Bidding
You bid yourself, or authorize us to absentee / floor bid up to your max. Never above. Never without written authorization.
Post-auction transport
We coordinate the heavy-haul carrier, permits, and pickup window. You don't miss the auction lot pickup deadline.
Where we work
Reality check
Not every auction lot is worth bidding on. We'll tell you when an auction is the right place to source what you need — and when you're better served waiting for one to come through brokerage at a known price.
Auction inquiry
Tell us the machine, the auction, and your budget. We'll get back within one business day.
Common questions
Why use a broker to buy at auction instead of bidding myself?
Three reasons: (1) we inspect the machine on-site before the auction so you know what you're really bidding on; (2) we know the realistic ceiling price from comp data so you don't overpay; (3) we coordinate the transport pickup window after the sale so you don't pay storage fees. Most buyers come out ahead net of our fee.
Which auction houses do you work with?
Primarily Ritchie Bros (IronPlanet/Marketplace-E and live auctions), MachineryTrader auctions, and Purple Wave. We can also support Bidspotter, BigIron, and regional auctions on request.
How does pre-auction inspection work?
Auction houses host machine inspection days at their yards before each sale. We send an inspector (or go ourselves) to walk the machine, photograph and video it, check fluids, run it if possible, and report back with an honest condition assessment and a realistic bid range. You decide whether to bid based on real information instead of the auction listing's photos.
What's your fee for auction services?
Flat fee on inspection (~$300-500 depending on auction location and travel) plus a small success fee on the winning bid (typically 2-4%). Total cost usually 3-5% of the machine price — significantly less than dealer markup, and you get real information before bidding.
Can you bid on my behalf?
Yes — we can absentee bid or attend live auctions on your behalf. We agree on a max bid in writing before the auction. We never bid without authorization, and we never bid against you on the same machine.
What about post-auction transport?
Auction houses give you a window (typically 7-14 days) to pick up the machine. We coordinate heavy-haul carriers, permits, and pickup scheduling. Most buyers underestimate transport cost on machines bought at distant auctions — we factor it into the bid recommendation up front.
Can you help me sell a machine through an auction?
Yes, but in most cases brokerage / consignment with us nets the seller more money than auction. Auction makes sense when you need a hard close date or when the machine is in a market we can't reach as fast through brokerage. We'll honestly tell you which path nets more for your specific machine.