{"id":26570,"date":"2019-06-13T16:04:19","date_gmt":"2019-06-13T06:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/?p=26570"},"modified":"2022-08-25T13:54:08","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T03:54:08","slug":"8-things-need-know-going-forklift-auction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/8-things-need-know-going-forklift-auction\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Things You Need to Know Before Going to a Forklift Auction"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are plenty of ways to get a great deal on forklifts these days, and one of the best ways is attending a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/forklift\/forklift-auctions-4964\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forklift auction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As long as a you take a bit of care, it\u2019s not hard to pick up a bargain. With a number of large auction houses around Australia constantly rotating stock, there\u2019s almost always a forklift auction happening somewhere. But, there are a few things you should know before placing your bid. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we\u2019re going to cover the 8 things we think you need to know before going to a forklift auction.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brand<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Market Price<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Warranty<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Condition &amp; Service History<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintenance Costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transportation Costs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liquid Overhaul<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&#8217;t Overbid<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brand<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26573\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/forklift-brand.jpg\" alt=\"JCB Forklift\" width=\"416\" height=\"335\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s going to be a common theme throughout this article, but do your research before buying anything! In this case, research the different brands and the models they have on offer. Compare the machines that are available at the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/forklift\/forklift-auctions-4964\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forklift auction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and do your best to know the brand&#8217;s reputation before making a bid. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different forklift brands have their own specialty. Some specialise in <\/span><a href=\"\/mag\/different-forklift-types\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rough terrain forklifts and others in electric food handling forklifts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. So knowing what the brand excels in is an important step to getting the right forklift for your needs. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you already maintain a fleet of forklifts and are looking for a new one, you\u2019ll probably have a make and model in mind when you head to an auction. But, if it\u2019s your first time, you\u2019ll need to know which brands: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can trust<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost more to maintain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are most efficient <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having this knowledge before going to bid can help you save time and hassle by avoiding a potentially bad purchase. Of course, knowing the brands to keep your eye on will also help you get a better idea of the market price and potential maintenance costs. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Market Price<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going hand-in-hand with researching brands, you\u2019re going to want to know the market price for your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/forklift\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forklifts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before placing a bid. Knowing what the market price is for a <a href=\"\/mag\/used-vs-new-forklifts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">used or new forklift<\/a> will help you keep a clear head and ensure you don\u2019t spend more than you should. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you go into a forklift auction knowing the market price, you\u2019ll have a good idea of what you should expect to pay, making it easier to prepare in advance. This is important as many online auctions require immediate payment, meaning you will have to have the capital or finance ready to go immediately. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Forklift Auction Warranty<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is more about expectations than what to expect, but keep your expectations low when it comes to warranty at <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forklift auctions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While new machines generally come with a 12-36 month warranty, it\u2019s a very different story at a forklift auction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/forklift\/forklift-auctions-4964\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">forklifts at auction<\/a> are sold as is, often with no warranty. However, some auctioned forklifts come with a 30 or 90-day warranty. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To ensure you know exactly what you\u2019re going to get, discuss the warranty with the auction house before bidding. Reputable dealers will have no issue telling you the warranty and it will help you decide whether bidding is worth the risk. Especially as the warranty ties in very closely to our next point, condition and service history. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Condition &amp; Service History<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26574\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/forklift-condition.jpg\" alt=\"forklift\" width=\"385\" height=\"313\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The condition and service history of the forklift is possibly the most important point to consider when buying at a forklift auction. A forklift in terrible condition with poor service history is likely to cost you a fortune in repairs and servicing, eating away at your savings. Sometimes the repairs and maintenance on a used machine can even cost more than if you had bought it new!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re attending a local auction, head to the auction house and ask to inspect the forklifts. Most companies are happy to let you check out the machines before auction. You can also take this time to note down any issues you find. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can\u2019t make it into the auction in person? Ask the seller to provide you with a condition report and the service history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a last resort, you can sometimes pay a local mechanic to head to the auction house and inspect the machines for you. Of course, be sure that whoever is inspecting the forklifts knows what defects to look for.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintenance Costs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tying into the servicing and condition, is your maintenance costs. Whether you buy <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">used or new<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it\u2019s inevitable that you will need to service and maintain your forklift. But how much that <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">costs <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you is the important factor. Not only will you have to pay a mechanic or staff member to do the maintenance, but every minute your forklift isn\u2019t working is a minute it&#8217;s not making money. So, ensuring your forklifts aren\u2019t breaking down constantly is important. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another factor to maintenance costs is the parts and accessories. Or more accurately, how easily can you source them, and at a good price. If you buy a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/forklift\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">newer model forklift<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from a renowned (or local) brand, you\u2019re going to have an easier time sourcing parts for repairs. But, if you spend less to get an off-brand Chinese model, or a model no one has parts for, you may end up having large downtime due to being unable to easily get the parts you need for repairs. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, if you do your research beforehand, and have an idea of how easy (or hard) it will be to perform maintenance, you&#8217;ll have an idea of what you should bid. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transportation Costs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-26575\" src=\"\/mag\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/forklift-transportation.jpg\" alt=\"High Reach truck\" width=\"326\" height=\"546\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An often overlooked part of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/forklift\/forklift-auctions-4964\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forklift auction<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the transportation costs. There\u2019s no point getting a great deal on a used forklift if transporting it will cost as much as a new forklift anyway! Before bidding, make sure you get the size and weight of the forklift, and get an estimate of shipping from a trusted freight company. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, this is less of an issue if you\u2019re buying from a local auction, but it\u2019s still something to keep in the back of your mind when bidding. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liquid Overhaul<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experienced buyers will know to keep an eye out for the liquid overhaul.\u00a0<\/span>Less reputable sellers will slap on a fresh coat of paint and promise that the forklift has been given a full overhaul.\u00a0<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure you pop open the bonnet and check the internals. Is the engine clean? Or is there dirt and oil galore in there?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As the old saying goes: \u201cit\u2019s what\u2019s on the inside that counts\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don&#8217;t Overbid<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, don\u2019t get caught up in the excitement. Auctions are fun, whether you\u2019re raising your paddle from the back of the crowd or increasing the price by computer, it\u2019s easy to get hotheaded and overbid by accident. So our last tip for forklift auctions is: keep a cool head while you bid. Head into the auction with price points in place and don\u2019t go over them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting a great deal at a forklift auction is a great experience and auctions are always fun! Odds are, you&#8217;ll get the forklift you&#8217;re after, as long as you do your research, have reasonable expectations and don\u2019t overbid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not sure where to begin, why not browse through our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/forklift\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">used and new forklift listings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or browse through some of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/browse\/forklift\/forklift-auctions-4964\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">forklift auctions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that are coming up. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are plenty of ways to get a great deal on forklifts these days, and one of the best ways is attending a forklift auction. As long as a you take a bit of care, it\u2019s not hard to pick up a bargain. With a number of large auction houses around Australia constantly rotating stock, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":26572,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[18990],"tags":[2909],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-26570","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-material-handling","tag-forklifts"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26570","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26570"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26570\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29537,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26570\/revisions\/29537"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26572"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26570"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26570"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26570"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.machines4u.com.au\/mag\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=26570"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}