Every week I talk with companies looking to purchase used forklifts. One question comes up over and over is, “I found a cheaper forklift from a private seller (or at auction). Should I buy it?”
My answer is always the same:
Maybe.
There are excellent forklifts sold by private companies. There are also incredible values to be found at equipment auctions. I’ve purchased equipment from both. But there’s a major difference between finding a bargain and buying blind.
The lower purchase price often comes with additional risks that many buyers don’t recognize until after the forklift arrives.
Ive talked about this before but it’s easy to compare two forklifts online.
Truck A: $18,000
Truck B: $24,000
Most buyers immediately focus on the $6,000 difference, but experienced buyers ask a different question: “Why is it cheaper?” Sometimes it’s simply because the seller wants it gone. Other times… There’s a reason.
When buying from a private seller or auction, information is often limited.
You may not know:
A forklift can look clean and still have years of deferred maintenance hiding underneath.
Most auctions allow buyers to start the engine, drive a short distance & raise and lower the mast. That’s about it. Unfortunately… Many expensive problems don’t appear during a five-minute inspection.
Issues like:
Often reveal themselves only after the truck goes to work because sellers will often put a quick fix on the problem. Lifters knocking? Extra thick oil. You won’t even realize it’s happening for months unless a specialized tech inspects the lift. These are the mistakes experience avoids.
I often tell customers, The purchase price is only the beginning. A forklift that needs tires, brake work, hydraulic hoses, mast rollers, steering repairs, chains and/or cooling system work; can quickly erase any savings from the initial purchase.
I’ve seen buyers save several thousand dollars up front only to spend even more getting the truck ready for service.
This is one of the biggest differences.
Most auction purchases include, no warranty or repairs, no service after the sale and no guarantee the machine is work-ready. Most auctions even have clauses that say you as the buyer are fully responsible for verifying the condition of the unit yourself and the auction cannot be held accountable if they’ve missed something when disclosing the info to you.
Once the hammer drops… The forklift becomes your responsibility.
This is something many buyers overlook.
I’ve inspected forklifts that had fork positioners, paper roll clamps, carton clamps and longer forks installed years after they left the factory. Sometimes the capacity plate was never updated.
That creates both safety concerns and operational uncertainty. Verifying whats on the dataplate is what’s on the forklift is an important step even seasoned professionals miss.
Not every forklift is easy to support.
Before purchasing, ask yourself:
A bargain becomes much less attractive if the machine sits waiting weeks for parts. Everyone asks the same question, “Is this a good brand.” My answer is always the same regardless of the brand. The best brands all have the parts and service support you need to keep your unit up and running.
This is important. I’ve purchased outstanding forklifts from auctions. I’ve also bought excellent machines directly from end users. The source isn’t the issue. The lack of information is. The more you know before you buy the better your chances of making a great purchase.
Special Note: If you’re still reading, like and share. It’s appreciated. If you’re considering a used forklift from an auction or private seller and would like a second opinion before you buy, I’d be happy to help review the machine, discuss potential risks, and make sure it’s the right fit for your application. Send me a message.
Jason Flaska Forklift Exchange 📞 630-842-0779 📧 jasonf@forkliftexchange.com
#Forklifts #UsedForklifts #MaterialHandling #EquipmentAuctions #WarehouseOperations #IndustrialEquipment
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