Business Equipment Liquidation

Buy and sell used business equipment and machinery

Startup Cost
$30,000-$150,000
Difficulty
Advanced
Time to Profit
12-18 months
Profit Potential
$15,000-$83,000/month

Overview

Equipment liquidators buy equipment 20-50% of market value, sell for 40-70% of new price, generating $180,000-$1,000,000 annually with 35-55% margins.

In 2025, businesses closing, upgrading, or relocating sell equipment.

Services include equipment appraisal and pricing, buying entire business equipment, individual piece sales, auction services, and equipment removal and transport.

Successful liquidators understand equipment categories (restaurant, manufacturing, office, medical), appraise values accurately, market to equipment buyers, handle transportation and storage, and move equipment quickly.

Can specialize: restaurant equipment (common), manufacturing machinery, office furniture, or medical equipment.

Marketing through business brokers, bankruptcy attorneys, equipment buyers, and online platforms (BizBuySell, equipment auction sites).

Required Skills

  • Equipment Valuation
  • Negotiation
  • Equipment Knowledge
  • Logistics & Transport
  • Buyer Network
  • Marketing

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • High-value equipment sales
  • Businesses need quick liquidation
  • Can specialize in lucrative categories
  • Less competition than inventory liquidation
  • Equipment buyers serious and motivated

Cons

  • Need working capital for purchases
  • Heavy equipment logistics challenging
  • Storage costs for large equipment
  • Equipment condition varies
  • Market knowledge required for pricing

How to Get Started

  1. Learn equipment categories and valuation
  2. Build buyer network for resale
  3. Develop relationships with business brokers
  4. Secure storage for equipment
  5. Start with smaller equipment purchases
  6. Build logistics capability
  7. Market through B2B channels

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