On Monday, 5 November 2007 IronPlanet , a leading online auction company for used heavy equipment, will launch its Australian auction site.
“The launch of the .com.au site marks a significant phase in the establishment of IronPlanet Australia,” says managing director Graeme McPherson.
The announcement earlier this year that IronPlanet would be establishing an Australian presence after several successful years in the US has prompted a great deal of interest from the local market place.
“There has always been a significant level of Australasian participation in the US-based auctions,” says McPherson. “Now, Australian equipment users will have a local online marketplace through which they can buy and sell used equipment on a national and international basis.”
“We already have over 3000 interested buyers from the Australasian region pre-registered via the US website, and we expect this to increase with the launch of the local website.”
“The first local auction will be held in 2008, and we are encouraging interested buyers to register now,” explains McPherson. “Pre-registering will allow them to record what kind of equipment they are interested in, and we will be able to notify them as soon as the item becomes available. They will also receive advance notice of upcoming auctions both locally and in the US. Registered users are also given complete access to view all the equipment and the detailed inspection reports.”
By registering on the IronPlanet site, potential bidders will also be able to run through a mock auction, and familiarise themselves with the bidding system and purchase procedures. Registration is simple, and takes just minutes to complete.
Sellers wishing to consign their stock to the auction will also be able to register, and will find easy to follow guidelines of how to sell online. Sellers benefit from using the online marketplace as it provides a global audience of potential buyers, and means sellers do not have to incur additional costs transporting the equipment to an auction yard.
“In a country as big as Australia, this is of enormous benefit to the seller,” confirms McPherson. “Ultimately, the reduced cost to seller means better value for the buyers.”
Local buyers can browse stock currently available on the US website, and join a number of Australians already buying from US sellers.
“Australian buyers already purchasing out of the US are finding it economically viable to bid on smaller items that can easily be packed in a container, and we expect that they will continue to do so,” says McPherson, “especially with the current strength of the Australian dollar.”
IronPlanet’s success has stemmed from its ability to overcome the concerns of buyers in relation to buying equipment online. Its unique IronClad Assurance policy features highly detailed inspection reports prepared by experts.
Each inspection report includes a detailed description of the equipment’s condition including inspector comments and ratings, photographs, wear-related measurements, and when appropriate, lab test results of oil/fluid samples. The IronClad Assurance means what buyers see on the inspection report is what they get when they receive the equipment.
Each inspection report includes a detailed description of the equipment’s condition including inspector comments and ratings, photographs, wear-related measurements, and when appropriate, lab test results of oil/fluid samples. The IronClad Assurance means what buyers see on the inspection report is what they get when they receive the equipment.
In addition to the peace of mind provided by the guaranteed inspection reports, Australian sellers will also be offered the option of having Occupational Health & Safety risk assessments prepared. This option will provide local buyers with information on how the goods rate against local safety requirements.
