How a sale works, from first message to money in the bank

Every instruction is different in the detail, but the shape is the same. This page walks through it in order so you know what to expect and what we will need from you at each stage.

1. You tell us what you have

The contact form asks for four things: what the assets are, where they are, when they need to be gone and how to reach you. A rough list and a few phone photos are enough. If you have an asset register, a lease end date or an insolvency practitioner involved, say so.

We reply with questions if we have them, and then with a view on the right route. Sometimes that is an online auction on site. Sometimes it is a private treaty sale of one or two high value machines, or moving smaller quantities into a collective sale with other vendors' lots.

2. We visit and agree terms

For anything beyond a handful of items we come to site. We walk the premises, note what is there and talk through reserves, access, timing and anything that complicates removal (mezzanines, services, machines bolted to pits). You get a written proposal with the fee, the sale dates and who does what.

3. Cataloguing

Lots are numbered, photographed and described where they stand. We need the assets isolated and, ideally, cleaned. You can carry on working around us if the business is still trading. Serial numbers, hours, tooling and manuals all go in the catalogue because they change what buyers will pay.

4. Marketing and viewing

The catalogue goes live online and is promoted to trade buyers who buy this kind of equipment. There is normally one viewing day on site so buyers can inspect. Lots are sold as seen, so good photographs and honest descriptions matter more than sales copy.

5. The auction

Sales run as online timed auctions. Bidding is open for a set period and lots close in sequence, with extensions if a bid lands near the end. The buyer pays a premium on top of the hammer price and VAT where it applies. Lots that fail to meet reserve can be re-offered or sold by private treaty afterwards.

6. Collection

Buyers collect during an agreed window, usually a few days after the sale. Larger machines come out with riggers or on low loaders. We manage the site during collection so that lots leave in the right order and nothing goes out unpaid. Services (power, gas, compressed air) need to be disconnected by the right trades before collection.

7. Settlement

Once collection has closed we reconcile the sale and pay you the proceeds less the agreed fee, with a lot by lot statement. Where an insolvency practitioner or lender is involved, the statement goes to them in the form they need.

If that sounds like what you need, the next step is the form. If you are not sure, the guides cover the common questions in more depth.