Is selling at auction better?
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=177005
Printed Date: 11 Sep 2025 at 5:33pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Is selling at auction better?
Posted By: KMAG
Subject: Is selling at auction better?
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 9:29am
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For the last few years, it seem many old tractors sell for more than expected at auctions versus buying directly from a seller. I assumed auction prices would normally be lower b/c more limited testing of tractor or getting info/trust level from seller. Auction. As a seller, it avoids dealing with bad prospects (time wasters), making time to show tractor to potential buyers, future interactions with buyer/reputation injury if buyer unhappy with purchase. [However, I do like chatting for hours when buying/selling.] Plus, auctions let buyers use credit cards to pay more than they would be willing to pay in cash (even with buyer fees/cc fees). I think this is the driving force for higher than expected auction prices around me in central PA. Take this AC Model C nfe. It seems to be in nice running condition. Not a trailer queen. https://pennsylvania.hibid.com/lot/79474617/allis-chalmers-c-tractor-with-wheel-weights/?q=&zip=17022&miles=50&ref=lot-list Most would sell for $650-800 around here, maybe less just before Christmas when $ gets tighter. With 4hrs to go, it is $500. What do you think it will sell at? 
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Replies:
Posted By: wekracer
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 9:40am
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I think there are several things going on with auctions. 1st people get caught up in the emotion of bidding against someone. It’s almost a competition. 2nd selling anything has to do with advertising and condition. If you don’t get people to the auction stuff isn’t going to sell well. I like buying from individuals because I find it easier to negotiate without competition. If they have something to sell and I’m the only one there it changes the dynamic |
Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 9:51am
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Farm equipment auctions have moved/are moving into the global ONLINE TECH platform. So any potential seller/buyer with an Internet connection, has immediate access to items of interest. Internet auction prices probably offer best broad range average pricing because of its huge audience potential. In the past, smaller local auctions usually only offered a tiny audience compared to global audience. So it was not uncommon to watch a local auction item sometimes sell extremely short or extremely high. But now many local auctions have Internet bids on a laptop right next to the yodeling Auctioneer. |
Posted By: Joe(TX)
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 9:59am
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In my experience, auction prices tend to be lower than private sales. Even lower with commission if selling. You also are not able to ask questions to the owner. ------------- 1970 190XT, 1973 200, 1962 D-19 Diesel, 1979 7010, 1957 WD45, 1950 WD, 1961 D17, Speed Patrol, D14, All crop 66 big bin, 180 diesel, 1970 170 diesel, FP80 forklift. Gleaner A |
Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 11:49am
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At an auction you never know if the bidders are real or your bidding against the crooks (auctioneers) helper or maybe the squirrels running on the powerlines, sometimes even the cars going by out on the interstate. Private sales are more honest as you can get a feel for the owner as to if you need your farmyard boots or not. Plus you have a better chance to verify condition and to look for unknow problems. With the high commissions the crooks are now charging a private seller will benefit more no matter what price it sells for. Auctions are like New Jersey to me: there's nothing there that I need bad enough to go there for. ------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: KMAG
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 12:02pm
| PaulB - at my last auction, the auctioneer started bidding against bidders b/c he stated the bids were too low and the deceased person's estate needed all the funds it could get. Some of his helper bid as well - which raised a commotion, but the auctioneer claimed his helpers got to own anything they bid on. And, his helpers did bid and take stuff home - I watched, so they were not shills. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 12:07pm
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what it sells for and what the owner gets is NOT the same thing ! Up here , auctioneers get 15%, sometimes more.... also the guv gets 13% in TAXES.... So... a $1000 tractor at auction costs the buyer $1300 !! Not a deal the way I see it. ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: KMAG
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 12:41pm
| Sold for $575 plus 8% buyer premiun ($46) plus 3% if not paying by cash ($17.50) plus PA 6% sales tax (another $34). So actually paid ~$700 for the tractor. |
Posted By: john(MI)
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 5:18pm
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Private buyer / seller may be a little higher, but you can test drive, and check out very close. Which is very desirable. Farm / estate auctions maybe lower, maybe higher, but you know if it runs or not and it has been being used. Usually a good indication of a running, operating machine. Consignment auctions are the worst I.M.O. To me it seems like people bring in their junk that they couldn't sell themselves, due to the condition. There was always sales tax, and occasionally buyers premium. I always calculated them costs into what I wanted to spend so it didn't bother me none. It must be different in different parts of the country. Around here when I was going to auctions, the companies were good. The only times it was bad was when there was someone bidding to get the price up. There is nothing wrong with that, it was usually someone in or with the family. I've seen auctioneers or their help bid on items and take stuff home. They register, and have a bidders number just like everyone else. Nothing crooked going on. Maybe years ago they were a little shady, but not when I was going, the last 40 years. There was one guy that would bid by winking. Nothing wrong with that but I saw him get stuck with something he disputed bidding on. I stuck him with an item once, sure made my day! ------------- D14, D17, 5020, 612H, CASE 446 |
Posted By: ZachD89
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 7:32pm
It’s not hard to add in the sales tax or buyers premium and tell yourself when to stop bidding. You know up front what the percentage is... Some people just cant ever be pleased. I always have a price in mind with the extra fees added on and know when to walk away. ------------- 37 A,37 Waukesha B,35 WC,38 WF,M crawler,49 WF,49 WD,53 WD45,39 and 40 RC,47 WC,41 B,39 B,48G,48,C,59D10,D21,IB,B10,B12,B208,B1,Roto Bale Loader, sp100 combine, allcrop 66, L3 Gleaner |
KMAG wrote:Posted By: ZachD89
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 7:37pm
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When something is for sale at auction it all depends on who wants it. If two people want the same thing and have too much money it could bring more than a private sale. ------------- 37 A,37 Waukesha B,35 WC,38 WF,M crawler,49 WF,49 WD,53 WD45,39 and 40 RC,47 WC,41 B,39 B,48G,48,C,59D10,D21,IB,B10,B12,B208,B1,Roto Bale Loader, sp100 combine, allcrop 66, L3 Gleaner |
Posted By: PaulB
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 8:18pm
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Go to one of the auctions at the Auctioneers home place and see how many supposedly "SOLD" tractors will show up at many different auctions. Those Shill buyers just haul them from place to place until someone will pay a fools price for them. Years ago I started seeing what I though was the same tractors I'd seen at other auctions, so I devised a marking system that only I knew what the mark was and where is was hidden. It became surprising how many times I saw the same tractor "sold" for various prices. ------------- If it was fun to pull in LOW gear, I could have a John Deere. Real pullers don't have speed limits. If you can't make it GO... make it SHINY |
Posted By: Richardmo
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 8:30pm
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$700.00 is about right for the Allis C. That about what I gave for 3 that were running 2 at auction and one private sell. One thing that does happen at sales is other auction company buy and sell again. This has been happening for along time. |
Posted By: GARY(OH/IN)
Date Posted: 23 Dec 2020 at 11:12pm
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Liked going to auctions (sales) as a kid with my Dad because it was a few hours off work and got to see and learn new things. I clerked years ago for an auctioneer and enjoyed working the bidders and the commission split but got tired of dragging stuff out and organizing to sell. Also had the fake ID, etc. occur a few times. Rather buy private as I can control the amount of time spent dealing with the seller. Sometimes I'll pass as soon as I see the item and other times will make a new friend. No standing all day long in the weather only to see it sell for more than a new one. Real estate auctions still have merit if you're willing to pay at least market value and maybe then some. They have a time set to sell and many these days are held in a comfortable building, often with snacks and a beverage. At least if I don't get anything bought I'm out of there quickly with free lunch.
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Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 2:04am
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On line auctions are getting popular,pretty nice to be able to sit home and bid,not stand in the cold,rain etc.Also don't have to travel a good ways to to watch it go for more than I wanted to pay.Prices do seem as good or better than live only auctions.Also some are a combination live and on line.If I was going to have an auction it'd be on line a lot less set up work plus don't get people coming in stealing things and tearing up stuff |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 5:26am
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up here, local on=line action house charges MORE than being in person !! yet another 'nickel and dime ' scam to steal MORE money from you AND the guv makes more $$ rom the jackedup higher 'selling' price meanwhile, due to covid19, I'm getting FREE courier shipping from Princess Auto ! ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: CORLEWFARM
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 6:53am
| The auctionneer is for the seller not the buyer. The idea is to get the most out of the piece there selling. |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 7:00am
Does someone force people to bid? If you don't like the way things are handled or can't figure out what the final selling final price will be just don't bid. Its no 'scam' to it,auctions have their conditions and terms if you don't like them don't bid.Sometimes I'll pass on an auction for some reason doesn't mean its a scam they plainly stated the terms.
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Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 7:04am
I think that is the problem,seems some people don't understand they think auctions are held so they can buy bargains at a fraction of their real value so they are disappointed and gripe about it.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 7:16am
| It takes two bidders that really want the item for it to bring top dollar. And then, those bidders had to find out about the sale to begin with...…...good advertising. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 7:33am
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To charge MORE for the same item if I buy online as opposed to showing up is a SCAM. I use the same credit card...oopsy, they CHARGE for that as well ( something illegal with the contracy they sigend with the CC company 'merchant agreement', BTW.....) sure we're supposed to read the auction paperwork but then again have you ever read any of the EULA for any OS or 'app'. Yes the auctioneer is supposed to get the most money FOR THE SELLER, but the auctioneer clearly can make 20-25% of the sale and that's not right in my books. ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 8:00am
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Who don't want all they can get .Different ways work for different situations .Can't make all the crybaby's happy. ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |
Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 10:17am
| Yes, in simple terms.....If 100 people are attending an auction that culminates down to 2 bidders for any/each item, then 98% of the people become/are spectators. Change the attendance to 1000, and then 99.8% are spectators. |
Posted By: ZachD89
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 12:37pm
Well said Gary. That’s what I don’t understand about these people crying about auctions. I bought a lot of things at auction and got a lot of good deals at auction. ------------- 37 A,37 Waukesha B,35 WC,38 WF,M crawler,49 WF,49 WD,53 WD45,39 and 40 RC,47 WC,41 B,39 B,48G,48,C,59D10,D21,IB,B10,B12,B208,B1,Roto Bale Loader, sp100 combine, allcrop 66, L3 Gleaner |
Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 1:05pm
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Some people should get their Auctioneer License and see how long they stay stay in Business and make money doing it on terms that they think other Auctioneers should . ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |
Posted By: victoryallis
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 3:31pm
My uncle has a saying I don’t mind if someone makes a profit off me just not a living. If I’m going to make a purchase let’s say a $10,000 tractor I could care less if auctioneer makes $250 and seller $9750 or auctioneer $1500 and seller $8500 I set a number on total expense and stick close to it. ------------- 8030 and 8050MFWD, 7580, 3 6080's, 160, 7060, 175, heirloom D17, Deere 8760 |
Posted By: victoryallis
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 3:37pm
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I’ve seen stuff sell stupid high at sales and stupid cheap. I watched a 8050 or 70 MFWD sell for $6500 I was last guy out and at that snapshot that’s all the money I had to spare. I’ve also watched nurse tanks that the pump didn’t run sell for more that a new one 60 miles down the road. Within the last two weeks I bid on a auger for $5800 4 days later I bought a same as new one for $4500 new is $11,800. ------------- 8030 and 8050MFWD, 7580, 3 6080's, 160, 7060, 175, heirloom D17, Deere 8760 |
Posted By: steelwheelAcjim
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2020 at 4:50pm
Amen! From an honest licensed Auctioneer. Jim ------------- Pre-WW2 A-C tractors on steel wheels...because I'm too cheap to buy tires! |
Posted By: Ryanlark
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2022 at 1:44am
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Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2022 at 4:46am
My experience from goung to auctions for 40+ years, is the seller gets screwed at consignment sales, usually. Auctioneers have the advantage at sales, cause they don't have to charge themselves the fee(s) they charge all others. Now If you take a good tractor, to a huge nationally advertised collector auction, with lots of bidders there, you have a shot at making big $. However, there are always risks involved in buying and selling anything, so do some research before you hire an auctioneer... ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2022 at 6:15am
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At every Auction there are Winners ,Losers ,Dreamers and Crybabies ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |
Posted By: exSW
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2022 at 8:09am
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I don't get to excited at auctions. More a social gathering first. The last several times I've gone to auctions with specific intent and a pocket full of cssh all I did was help create a fancy price. And at the same auction come home with amazing deals thst I had no intent on buying. I think online with a buyers premium absolutely shorts the seller because you have time to calculate the total costs. ------------- Learning AC...slowly |
Posted By: shameless dude
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2022 at 1:29pm
| chose your auction companies wisely, not all are the same. some are good for the seller, some are good for the buyer, and if you are selling, be careful as people that use a buyers premium won't get as much for what they are selling |
Posted By: KJCHRIS
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2022 at 3:57pm
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Auctions; People do get caught-up in auctions and forget market value. Some go to a friend or relatives auction and spend a bit too much on something for sentimental reasons or to help the family a little. A lot of us have done that. I'm currently watching some Bobcat brand things on an online auction. They've gone past "NEW PRICE" and still climbing, about 20% over new. Yes, I called my dealer and verified cost, mine will be at dealer Friday. And don't have to spend most of a day driving to pick them up. ------------- AC 200, CAH, AC185D bareback, AC 180D bareback, D17 III, WF. D17 Blackbar grill, NF. D15 SFW. Case 1175 CAH, Bobcat 543B, |
Posted By: Pat the Plumber CIL
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2022 at 9:03pm
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My father used to say the best auction to buy stuff is a "dead man's" auction. Someone isn't selling their surplus junk and keeping the good stuff. ------------- You only need to know 3 things to be a plumber;Crap rolls down hill,Hot is on the left and Don't bite your fingernails 1964 D-17 SIV 3 Pt.WF,1964 D-15 Ser II 3pt.WF ,1960 D-17 SI NF,1956 WD 45 WF. |
Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2022 at 6:41am
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So if you take your WD to a consignment auction and there was another WD sitting aside of your WD ( not even close to condition ),what would you think if Auctioneer put them up together and you get choice of. Then find out the higher bid tractor did not meet reserve and did not sell. Then they put your tractor up and sell it. Just seen this happen ,tractors not mine . ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |
Posted By: Tbone95
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2022 at 6:54am
What I would think, is the seller didn't understand all of the possible outcomes of putting his tractor in that auction, assuming he indeed is PO'd about it. He should have put a reserve on his, or ya' take what ya' get.
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Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2022 at 8:43am
The high bid , went to the tractor with a reserve witch Auctioneer said was Sold .(witch is now back on auction for next month ) they put the other up again by it self and it Sold .Witch is what it is . I just wondered why they would sell as choice not being the same owners . Just a thought for the day . Auctioneer has the last say . ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |
Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2022 at 9:16am
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I'm not crazy about auctioneers selling 'choice'. Their call, pretty sure my feelings have 0 impact on their decisions. Some are really bad about it. |
Posted By: exSW
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2022 at 12:10pm
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I've had choice burn me as back bidder. The winner took 'em all. Portable kubota powered constant feed air compressors. He took all eight of them. ------------- Learning AC...slowly |
Posted By: rw
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2022 at 6:31pm
| I went to construction equipment auction in about 1981. They had about 15 HD11 crawler tractors of various model years. Selling choice of 15. One man was on them all to about 6500 or so and they brought way more than that and sold three or four at a time many to corporate buyers and trader and such. Each time the one man was there to 6500 or so. Finally the quality/value got down to about 6500 with about 2 or 3 units left and the 6500 dollar guy got one. He looked like a guy that needed/wanted one to use. The Auctioneer sincerely thanked the man for being there that day! I still think about that and chuckle. |
Posted By: PeteMN
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2022 at 10:15pm
| Sometimes a consignment auction will have a group of items from one seller, might be an estate or could be a line of equipment from a retiring farmer. If you watch closely you'll usually see the jockeys perk up and start paying closer attention. That equipment usually brings higher prices because they assume that it's more likely to work than something that a dealer dumped at a consignment auction or something that another jockey brought and would be bidding up to market value. |
Posted By: tadams(OH)
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2022 at 12:50pm
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The consignment auction around here there's no reserve. If you don't like the price your tractors selling for you have to buy it back and pay sellers fee.
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Posted By: DanWi
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2022 at 1:11pm
| Rw that guy bidding 6500 would have saved himself some trouble if the bids were going up without him. He should have just waited and bid at the end. But some people like to practice bidding. |
Posted By: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2022 at 8:55am
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You never know %100 what you are buying at a consignment auction , but if someone has piece of S#!T to sell they know what they are selling . ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |