FAQ

How to Sell with eqhq

eqhq is the easiest way to auction your equipment. You’ve maintained and cared for your equipment and now it’s time to get a return on your investment. We’ve made the process easy and charge no fees to sellers. Here are the steps to sell your equipment today:

Submit your Equipment

It’s free to submit your equipment. We start by asking for some preliminary details: make, model, year, meter, location, and serial number. You also need to include a brief description of the equipment and some photographs. You can also choose to sell with or without a reserve. If you choose to sell with a reserve, you can suggest a reserve price, but we may ask for a lower one if we feel your suggested reserve does not reflect market conditions. Once you submit your equipment, the eqhq team reviews your submission and decides if your submission will be accepted into the auction. Our team may ask some follow-up questions or ask for additional photographs or video. Not every piece of equipment will be right for eqhq, but we thank you for taking the time to submit your equipment.

Prepare your Listing

Once your submission is accepted, we’ll collect additional information about you and your equipment. We’ll need detailed photographs, videos, usage history, and more. Our listing team is here to assist you with this process. Please note that before you can sell your equipment on eqhq, you must agree to an exclusivity agreement. This means you cannot list your equipment anywhere else and any existing advertisements must be taken down.

Finalize your Auction

We’ll take all of the information, photos, and videos and create a listing for you to approve. Once approved, we’ll schedule the auction and then it will go live.

Participate

Eqhq is a community-driven auction. We encourage buyers and sellers to interact through the comments and questions section of each listing. Seller participation is integral to creating additional interest in your listing, resulting in more bids and a higher selling price. Interested bidders may contact your directly through the listing page. Be ready to watch the final minutes of the auction when the bidding wars escalate.

Auction End

When the auction concludes, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide to finalize your sale. We’ll share the buyer’s contact information (and the buyer will receive your contact information). You’ll need to coordinate the sale and logistics with the buyer. If the auction ends and your reserve was not met, we’ll still connect you with the highest bidder to see if you we can help broker a deal.

How much does it cost to sell equipment on eqhq?

Auctioning equipment on eqhq is completely free and sellers receive 100% of the final sale price.

How do you choose which equipment to sell on eqhq?

We look for well-maintained, low-hour equipment from recognized OEM’s. Generally we are interested in equipment manufactured in the last 10 years with less than 10,000 hours of use. However, we don’t limit ourselves to specific models or years. We don’t list every piece of equipment we’re offered, but we’re always interested in seeing if your submission is a good fit for our auction.

Can I sell equipment if I live outside of the United States?

No, at this time we are only listing with sellers in the United States.

Can I sell equipment if I live in Puerto Rico or another US territory?

No, at this time we are not accepting listings from Puerto Rico or US territories.

How do I submit my equipment for sale?

Submitting equipment for the eqhq auction is easy. Sign in to your eqhq account and use our equipment submission tool to get started. We typically respond to submissions within 48 hours.

If you have several pieces of equipment you would like to auction at once, please reach out to us at team@eqhq.com and we'll assist with uploading all of your equipment information.

What information do I need to provide in order to sell my equipment?

We start by asking for some preliminary details: make, model, year, meter, location, and serial number. You also need to include a brief description of the equipment and some photographs.

You can also choose to sell with or without a reserve. If you choose to sell with a reserve, you can suggest a reserve price, but we may ask for a different one if we feel your suggested reserve does not reflect market conditions.

Once you submit your equipment, the eqhq team reviews your submission and decides if your submission will be accepted into the auction. Our team may ask some follow-up questions or ask for additional photographs or video. Not every piece of equipment will be right for eqhq, but we thank you for taking the time to submit your equipment.

How do I take great photos of my equipment?

Photos help buyers become familiar with your equipment and helps them better understand what you are selling. Don’t just limit yourself to exterior shots; engine compartment and cab pictures help attract buyers.

Be sure to submit quality photos with 800 x 470 px resolution or higher. Take pictures of your equipment after you’ve cleaned it inside and out. Nothing turns a buyer off more than dirty equipment. When taking your photos, make sure it’s a sunny day and that the sun is to your back shining on what you are taking a picture of. Don’t frustrate buyers with dark or blurry pictures.

Buyers Never Complain About Too Many Pictures! Give buyers a virtual tour of your equipment. Think about what you would want to see if you were climbing around the cab and under the hood. Pictures showing no leaks are always good, but being honest and showing damage is just as important. Don’t forget to show off the special features and any attachments that your equipment has or comes with.

Should I take video?

We encourage you to submit video of your equipment. Give viewers a guided tour of your equipment and be sure to get video of the equipment starting as well as the operation of all major mechanical systems. Always be cautious when taking video of operating machinery!

Who writes the listing description for my equipment?

After you provide us with full details about the equipment, our auction teams gets to work writing the description for your equipment. You’ll have the opportunity to approve the description before it goes live.

How do I contact you about my listing?

Email us at customerservice@eqhq.com with any questions about your listing.

Can I schedule when my auction starts?

We don’t offer the ability to schedule the exact start day of your auction, but we will take your preferences into consideration.

How long does an auction last?

eqhq auctions last for 7 days. If a bid is placed in the final minute of the auction, the clock is automatically extended by 60 seconds to give all participants an opportunity to bid.

Can I edit my auction once it’s live?

You can’t edit the auction yourself. You will need to contact our team at customerservice@eqhq.com to request any needed edits. Be sure to answer comments and questions left on your listing page by potential buyers.

How should I respond to questions and engage with comments during the auction?

We strongly recommend being an active participant in the comments section, and we ask that you respond to any questions submitted there and in your auction’s Q&A section. Sellers who participate actively are the most successful. As always, staying positive and constructive with your answers will only increase confidence from potential bidders.

Keep in mind that the buyer is an equipment owner just like you, and they likely wouldn’t be asking unless they’re seriously interested in your listing!

How do I close the sale?

At the end of the conclusion of the auction, you'll be sent the winner's contact information. Finalizing the sale is the responsibility of the seller and the winning bidder. See our FAQ section below on Finalizing the Sale.

When you find the equipment that is right for your fleet, here are the steps to bid and win!
Register

Create an eqhq account and add a valid credit card and phone number. You’ll automatically be registered to bid. In addition to the winning bid amount paid directly to the seller, winning bidders pay eqhq a buyer's fee of 4%.

Research

eqhq performs checks on sellers and their equipment to make our online auctions as safe as possible. However, it’s up to you to perform your own due diligence before bidding. Review the listing and all provided photographs, videos, notes, and other information. Use the Seller Q&A tool to ask questions directly to the seller. All questions and answers are posted directly to the listing page for the benefit of all bidders.

Before you Bid

Have financing approved ahead of time with the lender of your choice. Your lender may require serial numbers, meter readings, and other equipment information, which will be available on the listing page.

Arrange transportation. As the winning bidder, you will be responsible for shipping and insuring the equipment.

Place your bid!

When you bid, a hold is placed on your credit card for the buyer’s premium. If you win, your card is charged and you pay the seller directly for the equipment. If you do not win, the hold is released at the end of the auction. Bids are binding and there are no refunds. Be sure you have done your due diligence on the equipment before bidding—you may end up winning!

Follow the action

60 seconds are added to the auction clock if a bid is placed during the final minute of the auction. This prevents bid sniping and gives everyone a fair opportunity to bid.

Winning the Auction

To win an auction and buy the equipment, you must be highest bidder at the end of bidding. If the equipment has a reserve price, your bid must meet or exceed that amount. For no reserve auctions, the highest bidder always wins. Once the auction concludes, we’ll connect you with the seller and provide a checklist that will guide you through completing your purchase. Buyers are expected to pay for the equipment in-full within a week of the auction closing.

eqhq does not facilitate the transaction between buyer and seller. You will need to complete this part of the process on your own. Our support team is standing by to answer any question you may have and we have a guide for closing your sale here.

What are the fees for the buyer on eqhq?

In addition the final purchase price paid to the seller, buyers pay a fee to eqhq of 4% of the final purchase price.

How do I register to bid?

Create an account by clicking “Sign Up” in the top right corner of the screen. Confirm you email and then add a credit card and phone number to your user profile. Once those steps are complete, you are ready to start bidding.

How do I bid?

On any auction listing page click the Place Bid button. In the bidding popup, enter the amount you wish to bid and click Place Bid to confirm your bid. There is a minimum bid increment for each auction and you must bid at least the increment. Remember, when you confirm your bid, it means you're committing to buy this item if you're the winning bidder.

What currency does eqhq use?

All bids on eqhq are in United State Dollars (USD).

Can I bid if I live outside of the United States?

Yes, however you are still subject to all of the same rules as bidders from the United States. You are expected to pay promptly and to have transportation and import regulations researched prior to bidding. All fees, duties, etc. are the responsibility of the buyer.

How do I determine the quality of the equipment?

While we’ve tried to make buying a equipment online as safe and easy as possible, it’s ultimately your responsibility to perform your own due diligence and make sure that the equipment you’re considering is right for you – prior to placing a bid.

Review the listing thoroughly, including known flaws, seller notes, photos, video, etc.

Ask the seller, via comments or the Seller Q&A, any questions that you may have about the equipment.

Is there proxy or automatic bidding?

No, proxy or automatic bidding is not available on eqhq. We encourage active participation in all of our auctions. Bids placed in the last minute of bidding will extend the auction clock by 60 seconds so that all participants have the opportunity to place a bid.

Why do you place a hold on my credit card when I bid?

We place a hold on your credit card when you bid to account for the possibility that you may have to pay the buyer’s fee, should you end up as the winning bidder. If you aren’t the winning bidder, the hold is released from your credit card at the conclusion of the auction.

Why do I still have a hold on my credit card even when I did not win the auction?

We cancel holds for non-winning bidders immediately upon the conclusion of the auction. Depending on your bank, it may take a few days - or up to 7 business days, in rare cases - for the hold to appear removed; please contact your card issuer directly with any questions about the timeline and process.

What is the reserve price?

If the equipment is selling without a reserve, you will see a “No Reserve” tag on the listing page. If you don’t see this text, the equipment is selling with a reserve. Reserve prices are not published and buyers should not ask sellers about the reserve price during the auction.

What if the reserve is not met?

If you’re the high bidder on equipment where the reserve isn’t met, we’ll work with the seller and the buyer in an attempt to find a sale price that’s suitable for both parties. If we’re able to reach an agreement, we’ll put the buyer and seller in contact.

When the auction is over, how do I finalize the sale?

Once the auction ends, both the buyer and seller are given each other’s contact information to complete the sale.

How do I pick up the equipment?

Transportation costs are always the buyer’s responsibility, so we recommend gathering personal travel and/or shipping cost estimates before bidding. There are many options for how to collect your new equipment, such as picking it up yourself or using a shipping service. Heavy haul transport boards such as Fr8star and Veritread can help you find the best prices on shipping. Some sellers may be happy to store the equipment briefly to allow you time to pick it up. Note that title transfers, paying off loans, etc. may take a little bit of time. When in doubt, contact the seller and make sure the timing works for them!

How do I pay the seller safely?

We recommend wire transfers or cashier’s checks for payment, but there are many possible options. We do recommend discussing the potential timeline with the seller as early as possible to ensure that you’re both comfortable with the timing and steps. If you have any concerns about payment, we recommend using a third-party escrow service such as escrow.com to facilitate the transaction.

Are there rules to follow in the comments?

Yes! Aside from common-sense rules like language and personal attacks, the conversation should be focused on the equipment being sold, so as to be fair to the seller and bidders. We want to ensure the eqhq community remains an open and positive place to spend time with equipment enthusiasts. A partial list of things that are frowned upon (and will be moderated accordingly) include:

  • Foul language
  • Personal attacks
  • Attempting to share your personal contact information
  • Spamming
  • Asking the seller about their reserve
  • Calling out the price you think the equipment will sell for
  • Inappropriate images or descriptions in your profile
  • Plugging your personal business, website, social media handles, etc.
  • Sidetracking the conversation about other equipment or topics unrelated to the equipment being offered
  • Linking to inappropriate videos/webpages/content
  • Linking to other equipment for sale ads
What should I expect?

When an auction concludes successfully, we connect the buyer and seller so they can finalize the equipment sale directly. We provide a guide that will walk both parties through a smooth transaction. Our support team is always standing by to help. We recommend the following for an easy post-auction experience:

Make Contact
  1. Introduce yourself to the other party immediately after the auction ends. Have a positive attitude and be polite – you’ll be working closely with the other party to complete the sale and transfer the equipment.
  2. We recommend that the seller provides proof of ownership to the buyer.
Payment and Documentation
  1. Buyers are expected to pay for the equipment within a week of winning the auction.
  2. If there’s an outstanding loan on the equipment, the buyer and seller should discuss how it will be paid off and the specific next steps, so that the buyer can complete the transaction safely. If the seller has funds to pay it off, they should do so as soon as possible, and provide proof from the lender that it has been paid off. If the seller does not have the funds, the buyer may be able to pay the outstanding amount owed directly to the lender and then pay the remainder of the purchase price to the seller.
  3. We recommend creating a Bill of Sale that includes the terms of the transaction to be signed by both parties. Sample bill of sale can be found here.
  4. We recommend wire transfer or cashier’s check for payment. If you have any concerns about payment, we recommend using a third-party escrow service such as escrow.com to facilitate the transaction.
  5. Arrange for the equipment to be picked up and finalize the transaction. The equipment should not be released until the seller has full payment in hand.
Rate your Experience and Share your Story with the Community

Every eqhq buyer and seller has a rating. When you’ve completed the transaction, you’ll have the opportunity to rate the other party and provide any comments about your experience.

I found a listing I want to purchase, what do I do next?

If you’ve found a listing using the eqhq Search tool and are interested in purchasing the equipment or contacting the seller, you can use the link provided in the search result to see the live listing on its host site. If available, the search result will also include contact information for the seller if you wish to reach them directly.

Be aware: by navigating to the host site or contacting the seller directly, you are leaving the eqhq site and the scope of our services. These links and contact information are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by eqhq of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. eqhq bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.

How do you determine Deal Ratings?

eqhq Deal Ratings consider multiple signals including historic sales data, current market conditions, and predicted equipment values. Our data set is routinely updated to provide users accurate ratings.