Read before you bid

Before You Bid

Everything sold at Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is sold via unreserved public auction – i.e. there are no minimum bids or reserve prices, and our auctions are open to anyone. Buyers place bids on items, and every item is sold to the highest bidder, regardless of the final price. When you’re ready to bid and buy, you can register and bid online in any live auction or bid via a variety of other convenient online options.

Registration and deposits

Registration to bid is free. You may be required to place a refundable bid deposit. Please be aware that you must present photo identification when you register at the auction site (e.g. identity card, passport or driver's license). Register for your free account here!

How do auctions work?

We conduct live auctions at physical auction sites, with Real-Time Online Bidding. We also sell via our online Timed Auctions – an automated system with no auctioneer. You can bid in person, online, via our mobile app or via PriorityBid.

The auctioneer (or Timed Auction system) will introduce each lot and ask for bids. If no one places a bid, the ask price is lowered. When a bid is placed, the auctioneer raises the ask price. Bidding continues until no more bids are placed, and the item is sold to the highest bidder. Learn more about how our auctions work.

Can I go see the equipment in person?

Yes, equipment is available for in-person inspections at our permanent auction sites and local storage yards. Viewing is available two weeks prior to the start of each auction. Please contact the site to make arrangements outside of this time and to confirm hours of operation. Viewing is only available on equipment that has been delivered to the site (check each individual item’s listing on our website, and under the “Detailed equipment information” tab, look for “In Yard – Yes/No”)

Equipment sold from a consignor’s property can also be viewed in person by arranging a time and date with the seller.

Payment and removal

Purchases must be paid in full within seven (7) days of the end of the auction. Buyers cannot remove their purchases from the auction site until their invoice is paid in full. Cash payments will not be accepted. Please only pay from the same Ritchie Bros. account under which you made the purchase.

If Ritchie Bros. can't convey clear title on a purchase, the buyer is entitled to a full refund of the purchase price. If Ritchie Bros. does not receive full payment within seven (7) days of the end of the auction, interest on overdue amounts will be paid by the buyer at a rate of 18% per annum or at such other maximum rate as allowed by law, together with any legal or collection costs incurred by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.

There are multiple ways to pay. See the payment options.

Read the Terms of Bidding and Sale

Every auction is subject to our Terms of Bidding and Sale. Please review them carefully prior to bidding.