Where these tool lots come from
Tool lots come mainly from company liquidations led by Insolvenzverwalter, sales of decommissioned equipment from customs and public authorities, court-seized goods and industrial platforms. They include machine tools, forklifts and pallet trucks, construction, catering, agricultural and medical equipment. German terms are decisive: betriebsbereit means in working order, ohne Funktionsprüfung without functional test, ungeprüft untested, defekt defective. A lot may be restricted to professionals with the note nur für Gewerbetreibende. Always read the description and the seller's terms before travelling.
Checks before bidding
Check the Baujahr, the actual condition and any reported defects. An old machine, manufactured before mandatory CE marking, may need to be brought into compliance before being used by employees, which can be costly. For medical equipment, putting a used device back into service may require maintenance or requalification by an approved body. Check the power supply: Starkstrom or 400 V requires a suitable installation. Plan for dismantling and removal, often Demontage durch den Käufer, within the set deadline, sometimes with an approved carrier. Take into account buyer's fees and German VAT of 19 % depending on the applicable scheme.
Collection, delivery and costs
Many lots must be collected on site, with the note nur Abholung, and a collection deadline to meet. Some sellers ship within Germany or the EU. For shipping outside the EU, duties and import VAT apply. An EU business with a valid VAT number can often buy without German VAT by providing proof of transport, depending on the seller. For private sellers, buyer's fees are generally 15 to 20 % at liquidators and industrial platforms, often 25 to 33 % at art auction houses. An auction generally offers neither warranty nor right of withdrawal.