For companies like Rummel Construction in Arizona, that efficiency is key. Equipment Director Chase Hamilton said Ritchie Bros.’ timed auctions let him move equipment quickly without spending all day at an auction site.“ All my pieces timed out and sold by noon on auction day,” he said.“ It wasn’ t an all-day ordeal.”
Online Marketplaces Expand Reach
Perhaps no company reflects the shift to online selling more than bidadoo, which runs weekly auctions through its long-standing partnership with eBay. With more than 150 million global buyers on the platform, bidadoo has built its business around reach and speed. According to the company, over 80 % of the machines it sells are shipped out of state, underscoring the size of its buyer base.
That reach can be especially valuable for regional rental companies trying to cycle out older fleet assets. The recent partnership between bidadoo and Point of Rental, a rental management software provider, is designed to make that process seamless. The integration allows rental companies to list equipment directly through bidadoo’ s platform, giving them immediate exposure to a national and international audience.
The economics of online auctions are also drawing attention. According to bidadoo, live auctions can carry higher transportation and buyer’ s premium costs, sometimes cutting more than 20 % from a seller’ s return. By comparison, the online model can reduce those expenses while still connecting sellers with competitive bidders.
What Buyers Should Know
For buyers, auctions offer opportunities to secure equipment at market-driven prices, but the key is preparation. Online platforms like JJ Kane and bidadoo emphasize detailed photos, descriptions and inspection reports to help bidders make informed decisions without a site visit.
Ritchie Bros.’ digital checkout tools further streamline record-keeping once the sale is made.
Still, buyers should approach each auction with a clear plan. Knowing what they need, what they can spend and how transportation or financing will factor into the final cost. Auctions move quickly, and confidence comes from doing the homework ahead of time.
A Market in Transition
The used equipment market is rapidly changing. What was once primarily an in-person business is now increasingly digital, with global bidders competing in real time. For sellers, that means new opportunities to maximize value with less friction. For buyers, it means more options and faster access to the machines they need.
Whether consigning a scraper in Arizona, selling a bucket truck from a utility fleet in the Midwest or searching for a dozer online, today’ s contractors have tools that can make the process smoother than ever. The challenge, and the opportunity, is knowing which auction platform best fits their needs.