Seller Guide
How to Prepare Industrial Equipment for Auction: Seller's Guide
Steps sellers can take before the KD team arrives to maximize recovery. Small preparation investments consistently produce significantly higher hammer prices.
Clean and Degrease All Equipment
Clean equipment sells for more. Buyers who can clearly see what they're purchasing bid with more confidence. Wipe down machines, degrease surfaces, and clear accumulated chips and coolant. This is the single highest-ROI preparation step most sellers overlook.
Gather All Documentation: Manuals, Maintenance Records, Purchase Invoices
Documentation adds value. Original manuals, maintenance logs, service records, and purchase documentation give buyers confidence and help them confirm the machine's history and capabilities. Even partial records are better than none, gather whatever you have.
Identify and Label All Components and Tooling
If tooling, fixtures, or accessories are included with a machine, organize and identify them clearly. Tooling that can't be matched to a machine may sell separately or not at all. Our cataloging team will photograph everything. Clear identification helps us represent your assets accurately.
Ensure Power and Utilities Are Accessible for Inspection
Buyers need to run machines during inspection day. Ensure compressed air, electrical power, coolant systems, and hydraulics are connected and functional. Machines that can't be powered up often sell at a significant discount versus machines buyers can verify are operational.
Remove Personal Items and Non-Auction Inventory
Clear out anything that is not being sold: personal tools, office contents, non-auction inventory. Cluttered facilities make cataloging harder and can lead to items being missed or incorrectly cataloged. A clean, organized facility produces better catalog photos and more confident buyers.
Provide Clear Facility Access and Parking for KD Team
Our team will spend significant time at your facility photographing, measuring, and cataloging. Ensure we have access to all areas and adequate parking for our vehicles. Alert security and building management in advance. Access problems slow down cataloging and delay your auction.
Communicate Any Known Issues to KD Staff Honestly
Tell us about known issues, damage, or missing components before we catalog. We disclose all known defects to buyers: it's both our legal obligation and the right thing to do. Undisclosed defects discovered by buyers create disputes, chargebacks, and damaged reputation. Accurate disclosure produces better long-term outcomes for everyone.
Common Questions
Does cleaning equipment actually help recovery?
Yes, consistently and significantly. Clean equipment photographs better, inspects better, and gives buyers more confidence. Buyers bid higher when they can clearly see what they're getting. Even a few hours of cleaning investment typically pays for itself many times over in higher hammer prices.
Should I repair equipment before the auction?
For major repairs, generally no. The cost typically exceeds the value added. For minor issues (broken handles, burned-out lights, missing guards), repair if it's cheap and quick. Consult with your KD contact. They'll tell you what buyers in your equipment category actually care about.
What if I don't have documentation?
No documentation is common. Most industrial sellers have lost manuals over decades of use. Don't let this stop you. Our team will research the equipment using serial numbers and provide the best catalog information possible. Document what you do have and let KD handle the rest.
Do I need to be present during cataloging?
Not continuously, but we recommend having someone available who knows the equipment during our initial visit. They can answer questions about the machines and point out any important details. After that, you don't need to be onsite. We handle everything.
Every Deal Is Different.
Let's Talk About Yours.
Tell us what you have and where you are. We'll tell you honestly what it's worth and the best way to move it.
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