3 Essential Things To Plan For at Ag Equipment Auctions 

There are hundreds of equipment auctions across North America each year, making these events a great place to find quality, used pieces of agriculture equipment. Whether you’re looking for farming equipment, heavy machinery for construction, or other industrial machines, auctions are great events for buyers and sellers. 

As you mark an upcoming auction on your calendar, let’s discuss a few things you should spend time strategically figuring out in advance of the auction. 

Know Your Machine and Research Auction Items

Before participating in any auction, it’s important to know exactly what you are looking for to create a strategy. It’s especially important when participating in a farm equipment auction because the stakes are higher, and your bid items are worth much more. The best way to prepare is to research the make and model of machines you are seeking. It also doesn’t hurt to research machines similar to your top picks so that you have second and third choices available to you. That way, you can place bids on more than one item.  

Inspect the Machine at the Auction

It’s crucial to inspect a machine before you buy it. If you can’t attend the auction location in person, you can arrange for someone you know or a trusted mechanic to inspect the machine for you. The only way to ensure the machine is in the best condition possible is to have it inspected. Auctions usually have procedures in place to allow for the inspection of machines. These guidelines can typically be on the auction site.

Set Limits for Yourself During Online Bidding or In-Person

Auctions are full of energy and excitement as bidding goes on, and sometimes, bidders (especially first-timers) can get caught up in the hype. When this happens, an inexperienced bidder can end up bidding higher than they meant to. In order to prevent overbidding, we recommend setting a limit for yourself. Know how much you are willing to spend on a machine, and don’t go over it. 

Setting limits is half the battle. You then need to stop at your limit, even if you want the machine badly. Reducing the pressure on yourself in advance can help you stay within your limits. You may also want to consider participating with a colleague or friend who can help you stay within your limits. 

When factoring in your bid limit, you don’t want to forget about shipping costs for heavy hauls. Transporting your machine is essential, yet if you fail to get shipping estimates, it might create an unwanted surprise that pushes you over your set budget. 

Learn the Process

If you’re new to auctions, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the process in order to increase your chances of securing the machine you want. Even if you’ve participated in some auctions before, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the process of the specific auction you are planning to participate in. Some auction houses offer online auctions, which can vary in length and bid process. The last thing you want is to be confused and miss out on the items you need.

Have a Plan for How to Ship Equipment from an Auction

Creating a shipping plan in advance of your purchase can help you save the headache after the event. You can easily start your planning by getting a free, instant quote ahead of time by using the Trusted Dispatch heavy equipment shipping calculator. Having a quote in advance helps you properly factor the cost to ship heavy equipment into your spending limit when bidding. 

Finding a company ahead of time also means you can secure transportation with a knowledgeable company you can trust. Knowing the date that the machine must be moved off the auction lot will also help you prepare and plan your shipping. You don’t want to buy the machine and then scramble to ship it by the deadline. Advance planning helps you know you’re working with a reputable company and not risking a last-minute shipper that might not do the job properly. 

Need Cross-Border Shipping?

If you need to ship across the border, it’s also best to prepare for this ahead of time. There are possible additional costs to consider, such as duties and tariffs. You will need to prepare some paperwork as well, and we recommend hiring a customs broker to help you through this process to ensure it all goes smoothly. To assist you in finding an excellent customs broker, here is our list of recommended brokers.

Farm Machinery and Equipment Shipping from Auctions

Trusted Dispatch is here to help you transport the farm machinery you need, with fair, transparent shipping rates and knowledgeable, experienced drivers. We want to make the process straightforward for you. Our drivers will transport your load safely, securely, and on schedule. Get your free, instant shipping quote today!