April 17, 2023 Considerations When Selling Used Machinery

Are you considering selling your used machinery? There are a few steps to prepare your machinery for sale. Here are some tips!

Are you considering selling your used machinery? If you want to find the right buyer and get your machinery into the right hands as soon as possible, there are a few steps to prepare your product for sale. Regardless of how great it still works, you need to ensure the buyer sees that when looking at photos and your overall listing. Here are some tips to prepare your used machinery for sale.

1. Determine the Market Value

Selling any used item can be tricky when calculating fair pricing. You want to be fair both to the buyer as well as to yourself. While you can’t sell it for the same initial retail value that you bought it for, you don’t want to undercut your potential earnings, but you also don’t want to overcharge the buyer either. If the buyer sees that the machinery is overpriced, they may bypass your listing even if they like the equipment.

2. Check the Condition

Whatever you do, don’t list equipment that no longer works! If you do, and you plan to sell more equipment in the future, you’ll likely end up getting a bad rating and reputation from other buyers. Test the machine to check it’s still in working order, especially if you haven’t used it in a while. Note any wear and tear the machine has, such as cuts, scratches, worn paint, anything that may have fallen off, etc. Feel free to make repairs on a machine that may help you sell it faster.

3. Scrub It Down

Once you’ve checked that you have a functioning machine on your hands, get it camera ready with a good cleaning. If you see any chips or scratches, try to scrape them off. Check for visible smudges, fingerprints, or smears. Things like stickers, nametags, and graffiti should be removed and cleaned off as much as possible. Don’t be afraid to enlist professional help when cleaning off the machine, since it may be time-consuming. Remember, when you list used machinery, it’s competing with used and new products on the market, so make your machine stand out as much as possible.

4. Prepare for Photos

Once your used machinery is camera ready, it is time to set things up. First of all, set up some good lighting. Avoid having your machine in an area surrounded by a lot of other items. Keep the area as clean and uncluttered as possible so that your machine is the main focus of the camera shot. You should have multiple lighting sources to emphasize the size, angle, and details as much as possible. You don’t want a potential buyer to think you’re showing misleading photos. Once you feel you have a comfortable shot, take several photos at different angles. The photos should all be high resolution. While you should take as many as possible, only pick the best ones for your listing.

5. Do a Video Shoot

Let’s face it, people love videos even more than photos. You don’t have to do a documentary on your machine, but a short 30-second or one-minute video showing it in action can go a long way in convincing buyers it’s the right machine for them. A good video is another way to show it still works well. If you have time, take videos from different angles, showing the machine in various positions and actions. Don’t clog up your listing with tons of videos, though. Mostly focus on the photos and list one video. If serious buyers ask for more, you’ll already have some videos ready, just in case.

6. Find Buyers

Once you have all of your media available, you need to make sure the right buyers see it. Try networking with other industry professionals at relevant trade shows. Find out how and where they like to purchase items like used machinery. You can always have photos and videos on your phone ready to show if you meet a potential buyer in person. When it comes to listings, look for trade magazines or relevant websites, and industry blogs. You may even use sites like Craigslist or relevant discussion forums.

7. Keep Everything Legal

Before you hand over your machine to a potential buyer, you should have any relevant documentation available. Check for all your maintenance records, warranties, titles, registrations, and anything related to the machinery. Keep everything in one spot and be ready to hand it over.

Selling your used machinery may take some time and effort. However, if you follow everything in the right steps, you’ll get your machinery off your hands quickly. If you sell more used machinery in the future, it’ll be easier to do. It’s a great opportunity to build relationships with potential buyers, so do it right.

Subscribe to Industry Today