Four ways to effectively sell machinery in 2023

As a machinery manager or business owner, you’ll find yourself in situations from time to time where you need to sell one or more assets. The trick to making great selling decisions is to look at three key factors: effort, timing and returns. Thankfully, nowadays, there are plenty of options available to help you sell machinery. And each has its pros and cons.

Perhaps Ritchie Bros. is best known for its exciting auctions, but did you know we actually help our customers (tens of thousands every year!) sell in different ways? The good news is that there is an optimal selling solution for each situation.

#1 Sell machinery by yourself

Some businesses that sell machinery regularly need full control over the selling process. They handle incoming buyer enquiries by themselves, negotiate with potential buyers, and take care of the transaction’s paperwork. Classified ad listing websites like Mascus can be a great fit for you. They attract large amounts of potential buyers, and it’s super easy to get started. You can create an account and start listing machinery immediately. Simply create a new ad, upload photos and videos, write a description, and publish your ad! Being available in 38 languages and with 28 offices worldwide, Mascus gives you access to a broad audience for the best possible deal.

+	Easy to list and open 24/7
+	You have full control over the selling price and process
+	Low cost
–	Uncertain how long it takes to sell the equipment
–	You’ll have to do all the work
–	Buyers might not speak your language, which can be challenging

#2 Sell your machinery with assistance (and a minimum price)

If you don’t have the time to be involved in the selling process and/or don’t have enough expertise for a successful sale, outsourcing the sale of your machinery can be an interesting option. At Ritchie Bros., we offer this service with Marketplace-E. You can set a minimum price and choose if you want to sell from your own location or one of our secured yards. Selling on Marketplace-E means we take care of the inspection, listing, buyer enquiries, negotiations, paperwork and payment. Our team of Marketplace-E Specialists is on top of it, and we use highly advanced advertising programs that target qualified buyers from the international market. Read about how Marketplace-E has successfully helped our customers sell.

+	Minimal effort for you. Our experts guide you and negotiate on your behalf.
+	You can set a minium price and control the price
+	Professional advertising and international buyers
–	It can take some time to close the deal (depending on the item)
–	You pay a commission fee which is higher than a classified ad fee

3. Sell machinery at an auction

Do you want to have certainty that your machinery will be sold at a particular time? Then selling at an auction might be the best option for you. Especially unreserved (or no reserve) auctions, like the ones we conduct at Ritchie Bros., attract a lot of bidders that compete against each other for each item. Because there are no minimum bids or reserve prices, the items always sell to the highest bidders. This way of selling and buying has become quite popular in the machinery industry over recent years, with hundreds of thousands of people placing bids and purchasing machines every year.

+	Your machinery is guaranteed to sell on auction day. You get paid within 21 days.
+	International buyers that can easily join from any country or device
+	Your equipment is sold from a secured Ritchie Bros. yard
–	You have no control over price: the selling price is determined only by competing bidders
–	You pay a commission fee which is higher than a classified ad fee

4. Sell your machinery directly to Ritchie Bros.

Did you know that, in some cases, Ritchie Bros. can buy machines directly from you? For specific machinery types and situations, we offer the possibility of a direct purchase agreement. This is how it works: we inspect the machines, estimate the value and make you an offer. Once we agree on a price, we pay you immediately – and you don’t have to worry about anything else. A mutually convenient agreement, just like that.

+	No hassle
+	Quick cash
–	You could potentially get higher returns by taking the time to sell it yourself

Take the next step

Now that you’ve seen the possible selling options with us, which one appeals most to you? Don’t worry – you don’t have to decide now. Our representatives would like to listen to your situation, learn about your business and provide you with a tailored advice. The next step? Hit the button below and fill out the form.

Want to learn more? Many other business owners and machinery managers, just like you, have chosen our selling channels over the last 65 years! Find some of their stories here.

See also

Finishing strong: why your equipment fleet deserves a year-end look