Introduction
When you’re considering an investment in services for surplus equipment, our team at Equipment Recycle offers three choices: auction services, consignment services, and outright purchase services. Each has merits—and choosing the right one depends on your goals, timeline, and how much control you want to retain. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide.
1. Auction Services
If you’re liquidating a large inventory or even an entire facility, the auction route may be your best pick.
What it involves:
- We will evaluate your items, catalogue them, take quality photos and descriptions, list them on online auction platforms, and host a preview for buyers.
- The marketing period is typically about 30 days, and the full process is roughly a 60-day cycle from start to finish.
- After the auction closes, we collect buyer payments and coordinate equipment removal.
Best for you if:
- You have a large quantity of equipment (lots of lots) and want to maximize value by tapping into a buyer base.
- You can allow some time (weeks to ~60 days) for the process.
- You are comfortable with the fact that the final price is determined by bidding rather than a guaranteed amount upfront.
Considerations:
- Because you’re waiting for bids, the timing can be slower.
- You may have to handle logistics until the equipment is removed.
- Value depends on buyer interest and condition.
2. Consignment Services
This option offers more flexibility and can be great if you’re holding equipment but want someone else to manage the sale.
What it involves:
- Equipment Recycle will list your equipment on multiple platforms and to our buyer network. You can choose to keep the equipment on-site until a buyer is found, or we can take possession.
- We work on a commission basis, meaning your payment is tied to the sale price, listing time, and marketing costs.
Best for you if:
- You have specific or higher-value items that might take longer to sell and you want to retain them until a buyer is secured.
- You prefer someone else to handle the sales-marketing part but still want control over when your equipment leaves your facility.
- You are willing to wait for the right buyer, rather than needing immediate liquidity.
Considerations:
- You won’t receive payment until the sale is completed.
- Because the value depends on the market and buyer match, the outcome is less predictable than outright purchase.
3. Outright Purchase Services
For sellers who prioritize speed, certainty and minimal hassle, this is the most straightforward route.
What it involves:
- Equipment Recycle will make you a fair-market offer based on condition, resale value, handling logistics and timeframe.
- Once accepted, you hand over (or have removal arranged for) the equipment and receive payment without waiting for a buyer bidding cycle.
Best for you if:
- You need to clear space quickly (e.g., demolition, facility closure, relocation).
- You don’t want the uncertainty of how much the item will sell for or how long it will take.
- You prefer a one-time transaction rather than managing listings, buyers or logistics.
Considerations:
- The amount paid may be less than what you might get via auction or consignment, since you’re trading immediate convenience for potential value.
- You give up control of the asset once the agreement is made.
Final Thoughts
We offer all three paths for surplus equipment services —auction, consignment, and outright purchase—so you can match the service to your specific needs, timeline and risk-tolerance.
Before choosing, ask yourself:
- How soon do I need the equipment gone or the space cleared?
- Am I willing to wait for the best possible price, or do I want certainty now?
- Do I prefer to retain the equipment until it’s sold, or do I want someone else to take it now?
- How many pieces/lots do I have, and what condition are they in?
Once you answer those, you’ll be in a better place to decide which of our surplus equipment services is right for you. You can also visit our Services page for additional information on all of these options.
Partner with Equipment Recycle for Surplus Equipment Services
If you have surplus or under-utilized equipment — or are preparing for a closure, relocation, or facility repurpose — Equipment Recycle can help determine the best strategy for selling or removing your assets. Call (410) 633-2220 or email mike@equipmentrecycle.com to get started.