Advice for buying gear from online Auctions - what's common practice?

[dana gear]

Just a simple word of advise. BUYER BEWARE.
It would seem that most online auctions are legit.
That said we did the on line auction deal of a large manufacturing machine that was a pile of junk from day one, the factory sent out Warranty support for weeks to keep the thing running until the warranty was over.
And yes I should have made them buy it back, but at the time there where no other machines like it available and time restraints dictated how the game would be played out.
I purchased it new and it was built by a large American company.
I decided to cut my losses and we replaced it with another new machine just as soon as we could.
The dealer we purchased the new machine from had absolutely no interest in taking this junk pile as a trade and I can't blame them. That said I Sent it to a company that was having a on-line auction. I just wanted it gone.
I typed up a single laminated page of what the perspective bidder should be aware of and attached it to the machine.
When the auction started, I went on line and looked at the posted pictures and description.
The page I had attached was no where to be seen and the auction house had listed this pile of junk as next to new ready to work. I have no way of knowing who ended up with this cherry however they paid a premium price for it.
I only hope that it does not catch fire and burn down there shop.

 

[Servicar rider]

Since online auctions are the only thing going right now I have participated in three by two different auction houses. I have been close enough to pick up the items bought in person, and haven't had to deal with a rigger.. At the first auction the rigger was fairly reasonable and his prices were posted on each item on the salebill. The last auction the riggers loading prices were outrageous and the bids reflected it as items went very cheap?

My other pet peeve with online auctions is the buyers premiums the auction house adds on? They are now about 15-18% which is probably only going up in the future? My other concern is shill bidding, you never really know whether you are the only bidder Or who you are bidding against? It would be easy for the auctioneer to run the bids up, and how would you know?

 

[Fish On]

My other concern is shill bidding, you never really know whether you are the only bidder Or who you are bidding against? It would be easy for the auctioneer to run the bids up, and how would you know?

Shill bidding definitely happens in online auctions. I have been outbid, decided not to bid again, auction hammers down, and wouldn't you know it, I'm the winner!

 

[Bill D]

I am surprised I have not heard of auction houses tacking on a covid19 surcharge to their fee structure. Like a fuel surcharge that only goes up, never down for shipping. I suppose it would bring the fee to a nice even 19% added on.
Bil lD

 

[Steven-Canada]

Watch the fees

I've seen 25% fees, and those fees are also taxed too

For me, sales tax is another 13% on top.

Figure out your limit ahead of time and stick to it.

Allow $ for the time you lost getting and moving the stuff.

Make sure it's either not broken, or it's something you can fix cheap.

 

[gregoryd]

I've been watching the auctions and can't believe what some things are going for (high). You definitely need to call and check for rigger quotes. One rigger said $100 to load a bridgeport (fair) - another auction of some really old equipment that had a good chance of being bought by the scrappers had a standard rigging fee of $500 per item! I didn;t even bother with that one.

Also - car auctions are the same with people taking stuff - when you win, pay, and get the keys you rush to lock your car before people steal the spare tire or manuals.

The auctioneer boiler plate that they are no longer responsible one the hammer is down is BS in my opinion - especially if they won't let you walk with it immediately, or make you use someone else to get the item to you.

 

[Servicar rider]

Yeah, there is no reason to explain the recent auction prices? One local machinery hoarder died suddenly and the widow had to have three separate online auctions to sell it all. Mostly high prices considering? The next auction was a downsizing of a local fab shop and again very good prices? Another big cnc shop closed and things went really cheap, followed by another with the same results? Okuma vmc's for $500, cheap bridgeports, some items received no bids at all? Another fab shop saw the scrappers end up with most of it? ( and scrap prices are very low lately?) Its hard to say why? Some drill presses brought more than mills? As I mentioned earlier one auction had a very high priced rigger and I think that killed the bids on the big items? One auctioneer had both the high priced auction and one that gave stuff away? Same advertising, same rates etc?

 

[AlexWT]

Just a simple word of advise. BUYER BEWARE.
It would seem that most online auctions are legit.
That said we did the on line auction deal of a large manufacturing machine that was a pile of junk from day one, the factory sent out Warranty support for weeks to keep the thing running until the warranty was over.
And yes I should have made them buy it back, but at the time there where no other machines like it available and time restraints dictated how the game would be played out.
I purchased it new and it was built by a large American company.
I decided to cut my losses and we replaced it with another new machine just as soon as we could.
The dealer we purchased the new machine from had absolutely no interest in taking this junk pile as a trade and I can't blame them. That said I Sent it to a company that was having a on-line auction. I just wanted it gone.
I typed up a single laminated page of what the perspective bidder should be aware of and attached it to the machine.
When the auction started, I went on line and looked at the posted pictures and description.
The page I had attached was no where to be seen and the auction house had listed this pile of junk as next to new ready to work. I have no way of knowing who ended up with this cherry however they paid a premium price for it.
I only hope that it does not catch fire and burn down there shop.

Unfortunately, not all dealers do business honestly. Often, the behavior resembles a cheating game in an underground casino. Well, of course, that you were able to defend your position, I hope the new buyer does not suffer.

 

[Connius]

Unfortunately, not all dealers do business honestly. Often, the behavior resembles a cheating game in an underground casino. Well, of course, that you were able to defend your position, I hope the new buyer does not suffer.

I'm sorry if you've had this experience. But most dealers still value their reputation and their activities look honest and not like an underground casino.

 

[Connius]

Just a simple word of advise. BUYER BEWARE.
It would seem that most online auctions are legit.
That said we did the on line auction deal of a large manufacturing machine that was a pile of junk from day one, the factory sent out Warranty support for weeks to keep the thing running until the warranty was over. It often resembles playing an online casino or regular roulette somewhere in Vegas or Atlantic City. Except that decent online casinos like https://gamblebeaver.com/terms-and-conditions/ value their reputation and strongly recommend that you read all the terms of the game. As for online auctions, this is a game where the dealer may not be honest and not convey all the rules to you.
And yes I should have made them buy it back, but at the time there where no other machines like it available and time restraints dictated how the game would be played out.
I purchased it new and it was built by a large American company.
I decided to cut my losses and we replaced it with another new machine just as soon as we could.
The dealer we purchased the new machine from had absolutely no interest in taking this junk pile as a trade and I can't blame them. That said I Sent it to a company that was having a on-line auction. I just wanted it gone.
I typed up a single laminated page of what the perspective bidder should be aware of and attached it to the machine.
When the auction started, I went on line and looked at the posted pictures and description.
The page I had attached was no where to be seen and the auction house had listed this pile of junk as next to new ready to work. I have no way of knowing who ended up with this cherry however they paid a premium price for it.
I only hope that it does not catch fire and burn down there shop.

Could you please tell me if there was any feedback or explanation from the dealer?

 

[Richard King]

This is an old thread. I can add though to always check with the auction company if there is a loading fee and how much for the Items. Even small items inside a cardboard box. Several years ago I bought some machines from an auction Bidspotter did in St. Paul, MN and I sent our rigger over to pick up the 2 ton machines. They are licensed and insured, but Bidspotter would not let them on the property and we had to use their rigger who was on the property. They loaded the machine on my riggers truck and charge us $400.00 per pick that took less then 10 minutes each. A total rip off in my opinion.

 

[Connius]

This is an old thread. I can add though to always check with the auction company if there is a loading fee and how much for the Items. Even small items inside a cardboard box. Several years ago I bought some machines from an auction Bidspotter did in St. Paul, MN and I sent our rigger over to pick up the 2 ton machines. They are licensed and insured, but Bidspotter would not let them on the property and we had to use their rigger who was on the property. They loaded the machine on my riggers truck and charge us $400.00 per pick that took less then 10 minutes each. A total rip off in my opinion. Description of games and graphics in old online games. Let me and all of you love us, this season we will go to another day. Each of the tank designs can be found at https://bestallgames.com/free_online/clash-of-tanks/ The modern graphics of the mountain are great. Now you can see that in my house all of you are fighting old games.

At various auctions they can play some pretty unfair games and I was disappointed in the delivery of cars from auctions. I tried several times and the cars often arrived damaged.

 

[Limy Sami]

''Advice for buying gear from online Auctions - what's common practice?''​

Buy plenty of Anusol

 

[Richard King]

Yes if it's an auction at a company that made gears. They may have extra sets for a Fellows Gear shaper or Gleason Gear machine.

 

[john.k]

One time there was a clearing auction near my shop.............i took my forklift up there the day after the sale and was charging to load items ..........the old guy from the auctioneers assumed I was checking sale dockets .....I wasnt .....,$50 and I load up what you point to................I figured it was best I didnt go back next day.

 

[Bill D]

.........the old guy from the auctioneers assumed I was checking sale dockets .....I wasnt .....,$50 and I load up what you point to................I figured it was best I didnt go back next day.

You should have asked for the sale docs and looked at them, then let them point to what to load out. That helps prevent scams.
Reminds me of when I proctored the SAT college admission tests. I had to check ID's of the students taking the test. Most had student Id or drivers license. Those with out of district Id I had no idea what a real id from that district was even supposed to look like I would look at the name and school and say looks good to me. Some had photos and some did not.
I do know that on California drivers licenses, for those under 18, the picture is on the back. This makes it real easy to spot underage kids.
BilL D

 

[standardparts]

Go to a large auction with lots of small valuable stuff---for machine tools or even firearms and car parts and just stand back and watch for switch-er-roos. As another post mentioned--Adjusting box lots...sometimes moving big buck stuff to the bottom of a bin or box---often time there might be only one person supervising. On removal day get there early to pick you stuff up before some jack-wadd(s) don't filch some of your stuff. And yeah....don't expect the person running the auction to give you any sympathy once the stuff is out of the building.
Loadout day.....bring some cash to get the fork lift guy to do you a favor.......

 

[Bluechipx]

If you want to save big bucks when buying bridgeport sized equiptment try this. I bought a 15" Colchester lathe and showed up with a one ton truck. The dealer gave me a couple business cards for riggers. I called a wrecker service and they simply hooked on to the lifting strap and set it in my truck for $75.

 

[john.k]

High priced riggers is just another auction ripoff .......the riggers pay to get the deal ,as much as 50% of their charge.

 

[Richard King]

The auction I wrote about that Bidspotter did at Sewall Gear would not let any insured riggers on the property accept theirs. I sent R&R Machinery Movers who we used for years and are totally insures and Bidspotter would not let them come inside the building. The had to stay on the dock. Then they charged us $2000.00 extra to load R&R's truck. We were screwed. So if you bid on a machine on any auction read the fine print or ask the auction company to "put it in writing the "loading" requirements. In writing and not verbally.