Businesses faced with the disposal of large industrial equipment have a difficult task in front of them. Although there are several solutions, some are clearly better than others. One choice is to sell the equipment at an online auction such as eBay. In this situation, the shipping arrangements and preparations are the responsibility of the seller. Sellers are often forced to accept less than the robot is worth. After a long wait to complete the transaction, your buyer may decide they are not satisfied and back out of the sale. You are left with a loss of time and money and you still must dispose of the machine!

Another alternative is to contact an auction dealer or a used machinery auctioneer. Once again you are forced to accept the buyer's price rather than the actual worth of the used robotic equipment. There is also now a middle-man that will take a percentage of your sale. Not only will you likely receive a price that is far below the actual value, but you will also be responsible for transporting the robot to the auction and home again if it doesn't sell. You have the potential to expend a large amount of money and labor at the risk of no profit!

Some businesses choose to sell their used equipment on terms to other businesses. If you choose this method, you are then providing free financing to the individual buying your equipment. You should insist on immediate payment by credit card, wire transfer, or certified check. It is also to your advantage to have the purchaser make all shipping arrangements. This excludes you from becoming a responsible party should something break or become lost during packing or shipping.

It is often to your advantage to sell your excess or retired robotic equipment as a package rather than by the piece. This will increase the overall value of your equipment. Selling your equipment as a lot reduces the labor and shipping costs associated with selling and removing equipment. This results in more profit from the sale.

You should consider trading your used system for a new system if your company is replacing machinery. A used robotic trade-in will reduce your cost and also your need to pursue other avenues of disposal. Trade-in is the least consuming of all options for the liquidation of used equipment.