[Nathaniel Carr]

Any body buy anything at a big equip auction? I have some thing in mind, only used one that I could find on the web. Not the regular fare for these big auction houses (Ritchie bros. auctioneers) I would bid long distance. Any advise?
I am not up on this kind of thing, really rather be pulling weeds...

[HRLand]

I've been to big auctions but never bought anything. The prices people were paying were ridiculous. The only advice I could give is don't get caught up in the excitement. Have a top dollar amount you will pay and walk away if it goes over. Not sure if that's the kind of advice you were looking for but it's what I've learned.

[Nathaniel Carr]

That seems level headed.

One thing I wonder about is, quality. If the rig is a year old an at auction it was repoed, not beat up, i'd think.

If the guys bid stuff up at auction maybe I should just buy new....

[Fine Edge]

I've bought plenty of smaller items at auctions ( 2" & 3" pumps, Felker table top wet saw - 3 HP, 2 man augers( in the trash now), fountains, etc.... but you have to know what it's worth new and get a chance to examine the merchandise before it goes to bid. Not really sure about large equipment purchases, I'm a little picky on big items and would need more time to look it over, start it up, etc..

[Raj Venugopal]

I've never been to a big auction but one of my clients who was a very successful businessman gave us some advice that's served him well in his career....

He said, "never fall in love with the DEAL."

Always be ready to walk away...

[RHayden]

We've bought a few items at these type of auctions over the years. Mixed results on the quality; but the price has always been right. Our best results have always been at larger equipment auctions where there is a stray piece of smaller equipment which the big companies would have no use for.

Raj makes a good point in the post above as well.