Where these machine tools come from
The machine tools on offer come mainly from company liquidations led by insolvency administrators, who disperse the equipment of closed workshops. Customs and court sales add to this, as well as equipment from public administration and the military sold by the federal company, often by sealed tender. Liquidation platforms and auction houses complete the offer. Lots are scattered and little known outside Germany, which sometimes leaves machines without any bid. Bidorado brings these sales together and translates the listings.
Checkpoints before bidding
Read the German description carefully. "Ungeprüft" means untested, "defekt" defective, and a machine may be sold without tooling, documentation or electrical cabinet. Check CE conformity, supply voltage and frequency, dimensions, weight and the lifting equipment required. At liquidators and auction houses, buyer's fees and VAT apply, sometimes under the margin scheme. An EU business with a valid VAT number can often buy without German VAT, on presentation of proof of transport.
Collection, dismantling and delivery
Many lots are sold "nur Abholung", to be collected on site. Dismantling and removal are the buyer's responsibility, within a set deadline, sometimes with an approved carrier. Bring tools, straps, lifting equipment and access to the building. Some sellers ship within Germany or the EU, and a relay address or a carrier lets you bring a machine home. The price shown by Bidorado includes fees, but not transport. Bidorado sells nothing: the auction takes place on the seller's official site.