Selling heavy equipment costs anywhere from nothing to well over 10% of the sale price, depending on the channel. A local classified ad can be free. A listing marketplace charges a flat fee and takes no commission. An auction charges the seller a negotiated commission and also charges the buyer a transaction fee, which lowers what bidders are willing to offer you.
The numbers below come from each company's own published fee pages, checked in November 2026. Where a company does not publish a fee, this guide says so and does not guess.
Still choosing a channel? Start with our main guide: Where Is the Best Place to Sell Heavy Equipment?
Quick Answer
| Channel | Seller Pays | Buyer Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ritchie Bros. auction | Commission by quote, not published | 10% up to $30,000, then 5.5%, then a $4,125 flat fee |
| IronPlanet / Marketplace-E | Commission by quote, not published | Transaction fee shown on each listing |
| Purple Wave auction | Not published | 10% buyer's premium |
| eBay heavy equipment | $20 insertion, plus 3% up to $15,000 and 0.5% above | Nothing extra |
| Listing marketplaces | Flat listing fee or plan, no commission | Nothing extra |
| Craigslist / Facebook local | Free to $5 per post | Nothing extra |
Why Buyer Fees Are Really Seller Costs
Bidders work backward from their total budget. A contractor who will spend $43,000 all-in on a skid steer stops bidding at the number that leaves room for the fee. On a $40,000 winning bid at Ritchie Bros., the published schedule sets the buyer transaction fee at 5.5% with a $3,000 minimum, so the buyer pays $43,000 and the hammer price you are paid on is $40,000, before your own commission. When you compare channels, compare what lands in your account, not the headline sale price.
Auction Fees: Ritchie Bros., IronPlanet, Purple Wave and BigIron
Ritchie Bros. For United States auctions opening on or after August 1, 2026, the published buyer transaction fee is 10% of the winning bid on lots of $30,000 or less (minimum $100), 5.5% on lots over $30,000 up to $75,000 (minimum $3,000), and a flat $4,125 on lots over $75,000. Titled items generally carry a $125 documentation fee. Seller commission is not published. The selling page directs sellers to a territory manager, and terms depend on the equipment and the contract type.
IronPlanet and Marketplace-E. These RB Global sites do not publish a single fee schedule. The terms say the buyer pays the transaction fee noted in each listing, and seller commission is quoted by the company.
Purple Wave states a 10% buyer's premium in its terms. BigIron says its buyer's premium varies by auction and lot. Neither publishes seller commission.
Ask any auction company for the full list in writing before you consign: commission, transport to the yard, cleaning or refurbishing, lien search or payoff handling, and what happens if the machine does not meet a reserve.
Online Marketplace and Classified Fees
- eBay. The heavy equipment category charges a $20 insertion fee and a final value fee of 3% on the first $15,000 plus 0.5% on the amount above that.
- Equipment Trader. Private sellers pay a listing fee and no commission. The amount is shown at checkout.
- MachineryTrader. Pricing is not published. Dealers are asked to call, and private-seller pricing appears during listing.
- Craigslist. The posting fee page lists $5 for by-dealer for-sale posts in the United States. By-owner heavy equipment is not on the paid list.
- Facebook Marketplace. Local pickup listings are free. Fees apply only to shipped items sold through checkout, which rarely fits a machine.
- MachineryList. Sellers list on a plan and deal directly with buyers. See current listing options.
Worked Example: Selling a $40,000 Skid Steer
| Channel | Published Fee Math | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ritchie Bros. | 5.5% buyer fee, $3,000 minimum applies | Buyer pays $43,000; seller commission by quote comes off $40,000 |
| eBay | $20 + 3% of $15,000 + 0.5% of $25,000 | $595 in seller fees |
| Listing marketplace | Flat listing fee, no commission | Seller keeps $40,000 less the listing fee |
| Craigslist by owner | No posting fee listed | Seller keeps $40,000 |
Lower fees are not automatically the better deal. Free classifieds bring more no-shows and scam attempts, and an auction delivers a certain sale date. Fees are one input next to speed, reach and how much work you want to do.
Costs Sellers Forget
- Transport. Hauling a machine to an auction yard or a buyer can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on distance and size.
- Reconditioning. Cleaning, small repairs and fresh fluids usually pay back, but they are still a cost.
- Loan payoff. A financed machine needs a lender payoff and lien release before the buyer gets clear ownership. See can you sell financed heavy equipment.
- Time. Answering calls, meeting buyers and handling paperwork has a real cost if it pulls you off a job.
- Taxes. A sale can trigger tax on gain or depreciation recapture. Ask your accountant before you set a minimum price.
How to Compare Offers on Net Proceeds
- Estimate a realistic sale price for each channel. Our guide to pricing your machine shows how.
- Subtract every seller fee and commission, in writing.
- For auctions, lower the expected bid by the buyer fee.
- Subtract transport, reconditioning and loan payoff.
- Compare the net numbers alongside how many weeks each channel will take.
Have the bill of sale and lien paperwork ready before you list, and browse new and used equipment on MachineryList to see how similar machines are priced.
Fees change. Figures here are from each company's published pages as of November 2026 and are general guidance, not financial or tax advice. Confirm current fees with the company before you commit.
Sources
- Ritchie Bros. buyer fees, transaction and documentation fees for events opening on or after August 1, 2026.
- IronPlanet terms and conditions, revised April 17, 2026.
- eBay selling fees, heavy equipment insertion and final value fees.
- Craigslist posting fees.
- Purple Wave auction terms, last updated January 24, 2025.
- Equipment Trader private seller information.
Related Guides
- Where Is the Best Place to Sell Heavy Equipment?
- How to Get Maximum Return When Selling Used Equipment
- How Much Is My Skid Steer Worth?
- Can You Sell Financed Heavy Equipment?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Ritchie Bros. charge to sell equipment?
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Ritchie Bros. does not publish its seller commission. It is quoted by a territory manager and depends on the equipment and contract type. The buyer fee is published: 10% on lots of $30,000 or less, 5.5% up to $75,000, and a flat $4,125 above that, for United States auctions as of August 2026.
What is the cheapest way to sell heavy equipment?
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A local by-owner classified is the cheapest, because Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace local listings cost little or nothing. A flat-fee listing marketplace costs more up front but reaches equipment buyers nationwide and charges no commission. Auctions cost the most in fees and offer the fastest certain sale.
Who pays the buyer's premium at an equipment auction?
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The buyer pays it on top of the winning bid. Bidders account for that fee when deciding how high to go, so a buyer's premium usually lowers the hammer price the seller receives.
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