F
23

Just changed my mind about buying a used rig from auction

Always thought I was smart saving money on a 2007 Liebherr LTM 1050 from a Ritchie Bros auction in Houston. Paid $185k which felt like a steal until the hydraulic pump went out on job 3. That replacement cost me $12k and two weeks of downtime. Anyone else have better luck with auction finds or am I just unlucky?
3 comments

Log in to join the discussion

Log In
3 Comments
hannahj49
hannahj4916h ago
That's a rough break man. $12k for a pump plus two weeks sitting still is brutal, I've been there with equipment failures and it makes you question every choice you made. Auction stuff is always a mixed bag, sometimes you get a gem and sometimes you get a money pit. The older Liebherrs are solid rigs but when they go wrong they go wrong expensive. Sounds like you got the short end this time but don't let it sour you on auctions completely, just gotta factor in a bigger repair fund next time.
6
lilyt23
lilyt2314h ago
Used to think auctions were just a way to save money no matter what, but hearing stories like this makes me reconsider. A $12k repair bill and two weeks of downtime would wipe out any savings pretty quick in my book. You really have to set aside a bigger buffer for the unexpected or you end up losing more than you gained, right?
1
sean48
sean4816h ago
Auction finds are always a gamble. Ouch.
3