Today we continue to attend as many sales as possible in all of the capacities mentioned above. Since 1965 the auction industry has changed dramatically. There is still the small percentage of tire kickers at every sale, but the buyers have evolved from dealers to predominantly end users. The auction has gone from a huckster-type image to an air of professionalism. Companies that conduct public absolute auctions today, and do their best to enforce this policy, have pioneered this change making the auction a profession not just a trade. As a result, more and more equipment is sold each year via the auction method. Most will equate auction results to orderly liquidation value, but many times fair market values are achieved. In today's unprecedented market auction volume dollars are less than previous years due to the strong demand for equipment and the lack of supply. Good equipment is working. The world wide energy situation, economic growth, the cost of steel, the shortage of large earthmoving tires, natural disasters, all contribute. As the supply of equipment catches up to the demand, more equipment will go to auction. Meanwhile what is being sold at auction today is bringing better than normal dollars and this must be recognized in the appraisal process.

Since the majority of our work utilizes the market approach, legitimate auction results provide a major barometer in establishing comparable values, the truest reflection of value in the industry today. We firmly believe that a great auction starts with a good appraisal, and the auction is the ultimate test of the appraisal!

We also believe that the best auctions are one-owner sales conducted on that contractor's site. However, if you have one item or an entire spread of equipment, we can place you with the best auction company for your particular situation.