Bidding in Person

Ritchie Bros. auctions are fast paced and exciting, and our staff have been trained to help you through the bidding and buying process.

• Auctions start promptly at the appointed time. Items are sold sequentially by lot number. Sometimes we split the auction into two or three "rings." For example, lots 1 – 1,000 may be sold in the main building (ring one). At the same time, lots 1,001 – 2,000 may be sold outside in the yard (ring two).
• At most of our auctions, mobile equipment is driven across a ramp in front of the main auction theater. You can bid from the comfort of your seat, out of the weather, and see each item as it is being sold.
• Bidders usually follow the auctioneer in a mobile sound booth around the yard for the sale of stationary equipment. Real estate and items located off site (e.g. boats, airplanes and other large items) are usually sold by photo.
• Many of our sites now have Virtual Ramp rooms: photos of stationary equipment in the yard and items located off site are projected onto a large screen so you can bid without leaving the comfort of the facility. At our auction site in Narita, Japan, all of the equipment will be sold by Virtual Ramp.

• Go to the registration counter at the auction site. Registration usually starts a few days before the auction.
• Provide a piece of government-issued photograph identification, such as a driver's license or passport. We will complete a Bidder's Registration Agreement with your contact information and company details. Once you've read over the agreement and confirmed your information, we'll ask you to sign it.
• You'll be given an auction catalog that lists every item being sold in sale order. Your unique bidder number is printed on the cover. Use the bidder number to identify yourself when you are the high bidder. Any purchases you make will be recorded with this number.
• In some cases, a refundable deposit may be required. Ask at the auction site or read the complete registration information in the auction details on our web site.
• Important: read the terms of sale and payment before you bid. You can find these terms in your auction day catalog or under the "Terms & Conditions" in the details of each auction on our web site.

• Check the auction schedule in your listing catalog to find out when and where the items you're interested in will be sold.
• The auctioneer will announce the name and lot number of each item before opening the bidding. He gives an initial "ask price." If no one wants to bid at that price, he reduces the ask price until someone makes an initial bid (the "bid price").
• If you are interested at buying the item at the "ask price," raise your hand or your listing catalog. The bid catchers standing at the front of the auction theater will "catch" your bid and relay it to the auctioneer.
• You don't need to make another bid unless someone outbids you (offers a higher bid). If they do, the bid catcher will indicate that you are "out." The auctioneer will then raise the ask price. If you are interested in bidding again at the new ask price, make another bid.
• When no more bids are offered, the auctioneer will announce that an item has been "sold!" If you were the highest bidder, raise your listing catalog. The bid catcher will make note of your unique bidder number.
• A group of similar items may be sold as a "choice group." The highest bidder can choose one or more items at the selling price. If that bidder does not take all of the items, the remaining lots are offered to the runner-up bidder at the same price, then to the other bidders. If items still remain unsold, the auctioneer opens the bidding again.
• When a group of items are offered "in catalog order," the highest bidder must take the first item in the group.

• Congratulations! Being the highest bidder means you are the new owner of that item. You just need to pay for your purchase and arrange for pickup or transportation.
• Go to the registration counter at the auction site with your bidder number. The customer service representative will print you an invoice listing all your purchases, including applicable taxes.
• Terms and methods of payment may differ in different locations. You can find the full terms for a specific auction under "Terms & Conditions" on the details for each auction on our web site.
• If you need help with financing or transportation, visit one of the independent service providers on-site at the auction. Their contact information along with other auction-specific information is available under "Logistics" on the details for each auction on our web site.
• If you are planning to purchase equipment from a Ritchie Bros. auction in Canada, the U.S. or Europe, you can get real-time shipping estimates or competitive shipping quotes using our convenient online shipping service.