Ritchie Bros.' 100% online auctions continue to drive strong results for consignors in 2021. This week, the company sold more than 4,600 items located at its Houston, TX auction site to online buyers around the world for US$47+ million. The two-day auction attracted 14,900+ bidders, which is up 68% from the same auction last year and a new record for the site.
"With our auctions 100% online we are really able to flex our digital muscle and show how Ritchie Bros. is uniquely positioned to drive demand like no other," said Alan McVicker, Regional Sales Manager, Ritchie Bros. "Continuous innovations in our online experience and marketing approaches are driving significant increases in online page views to our websites, pre-registrations for our events, and PriorityBids on items. All of these are great indicators for the momentum building into our massive Orlando auction next week and all our upcoming events, including our next Texas auction in Fort Worth on March 17 and 18."
Total equipment pageviews for the Houston auction were up 70% year over year, while per lot pageviews were up 112%. Once online, customers added items to their watchlists, which were up 110% per item. The auction also saw 33,000+ PriorityBids placed on items ahead of the auction.
More than 650 consignors sold equipment in this week's Houston auction. Equipment highlights included 315+ truck tractors, 115+ excavators, 85+ skid steer loaders, 50 dozers, and more. Specific sales highlights include a 2000 Liebherr LR1400/1 400-ton crawler crane that sold for US$505,000 to a buyer from Utah; a 2013 Caterpillar D8T dozer that sold for US$290,000 to a buyer from Texas; and a 2018 John Deere 460E 6x6 articulated dump truck that sold for US$220,000 to a buyer from Manitoba, Canada.
"We attracted a record number of registrants and achieved strong pricing across all equipment categories," added McVicker.
Approximately 61 percent of the equipment in the Houston auction was purchased by out of state buyers, including 13 percent sold to international buyers from as far away as Australia, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates.
AUCTION QUICK FACTS: HOUSTON, TX (FEBRUARY 2020)
Gross Transaction Value (GTV): US$47+ million
Total Registered Bidders: 14,900+
Total Number of Lots: 4,600+
Total Number of Consignors: 650+
For more information about upcoming auctions, visit RitchieBros.com.
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