Bid in person
Anyone can register and bid in person at our live auctions. Registration opens a few days before the auction. If you want to bid online, you will need to register separately on our website. If you have any questions while you're at the auction, ask one of our representatives in orange. We're here to help!
Register to bid at the auction site
You will need to present photo ID (e.g. identity card, passport or driver's license); you may need to place a refundable bid deposit equivalent to 25% of the amount you want to spend or your maximum bidding limit. You'll be given a listing catalog with your unique bidder number on the cover. If this auction includes a Timed Auction, you will also receive a PIN card to access the Timed Auction online. Check the auction schedule in your catalog to find out when and where each item will be sold. Please note: if you want to bid online, you will need to register separately on our website.
Ask for the keys to the equipment
Take the time to test, inspect and compare equipment before you buy.
Go to where you'll be bidding
Most mobile equipment is driven over a ramp in front of the bidders in the main auction theater. Stationary or hard-to-move items are sold where they sit outside in the yard, or using our indoor Virtual Ramp theater screens. Large auctions are split into ‘rings'. Rings may be held at different times (e.g. ring 1 in the morning, ring 2 in the afternoon) or at the same time in different parts of the auction site (e.g. ring 1 in the main auction theater, ring 2 outside in the yard).
Listen to the auctioneer
Watch and listen to the auction to get a feel for its pace. The auctioneer will introduce each lot and call for bids. If no one places a bid, the auctioneer lowers the ask price. When a bid is placed, the auctioneer raises the ask price. Bidding continues until no more bids are placed.
Watch the electronic signboards
Electronic signboards are often used to show the current lot number and ask price (not the current high bid). When you place a bid, you are bidding at the ask price.
Find the lot number or choice group
Items are sold in order by lot number. Similar items are sometimes sold as a choice group. The highest bidder on a choice group chooses one or more lots at the winning bid price. Any remaining lots in the choice group are offered to the runner-up bidder at the same price, and then to the other bidders. If any items remain unsold, the auctioneer will start the bidding again for those remaining units.
Make eye contact with the bid catcher
Make eye contact with the bid catcher if you want to bid. The bid catcher will relay your bids to the auctioneer.
Raise your listing catalog to bid
Don't be shy! You can't bid too early, only too late. The bid catcher will let you know if you've been outbid and need to bid again.
Sold! Show your bidder number
Bidding continues until no more bids are placed. If you are the highest bidder when the auctioneer says "sold!" show your bidder number to the bid catcher.
Pay and collect your purchases
Return to the registration counter to collect your invoice. When your invoice is paid in full, you can collect your purchases and put them to work!
More bidding options
By PriorityBid
Place an online PriorityBid before the auction starts and our system will bid for you up to your maximum amount.
In a Timed Auction
Check our website, the auction brochure or your auction day listing catalog to find out if items are being sold by Timed Auction.
Using our mobile app
Bid in real time from your mobile device from anywhere in any live auction. Our app offers 5 languages – English, French, Italian, German, Spanish.