Build a comparable equipment profile
Write down the complete-set model, rating type, kW, voltage, frequency, fuel, build year and recorded hours. Add the engine details separately. Include an overview photo and readable plates. A listing with a similar brand name is not necessarily a comparable unit; its configuration, included accessories and evidence of condition may differ.
Separate the numbers you encounter
An advertised price is a seller’s request. A bid is a buyer’s offer under stated conditions. A completed sale records an actual transaction. Keep those categories separate in your notes. A dealer’s advertised resale package may include work, services or terms absent from your as-is sale, so copying that price can create an unrealistic comparison.
Ask for the basis of the offer
Give every buyer the same information and ask them to identify assumptions: running condition, inspection, loading, freight, accessories and pickup timing. Record whether the offer is preliminary or confirmed. If an important detail is unknown, ask what evidence would resolve it rather than describing the equipment more confidently than the records allow.
Create a simple comparison sheet
Use one row per offer with columns for date, equipment scope, gross bid, seller-paid costs, conditions and expiration. Compare estimated proceeds only after accounting for the same scope. Keep unquoted costs marked unknown. A seemingly precise total can be misleading if crane work or a required inspection remains unpriced.
Decide what further evidence is worth collecting
Ask whether a missing report, plate photograph or access measurement prevents a firm bid. Gather low-cost documentation first. Consider paid inspections only after buyers explain what the result would resolve. Your target is an actionable offer with clear terms; neither an online estimate nor this guide guarantees a sale price.