Comparing equipment offers beyond the headline price
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The highest offer is not automatically the strongest outcome. Compare what each buyer proposes to buy, the costs left with you and the conditions that must be met before the transaction completes.
Keep firm terms separate from optimistic assumptions. An offer that depends on inspection, finance or a later collection arrangement may still be worth considering, but it should not be treated as equivalent to an unconditional proposal on an agreed scope.
Put the offers on one basis
Confirm that every offer concerns the same items, accessories and documents. Check whether the buyer expects any repair, demonstration, disconnection or loading work. If those points remain open, record them as open rather than silently accepting the most favourable interpretation.
Then prepare an estimate of seller net proceeds. Keep VAT and tax questions separate for the accountant. An amount including VAT cannot be compared directly with an amount excluding it.
A fictional comparison
This example uses invented figures. It is not pricing evidence for any machine and does not decide contractual enforceability.
| Matter | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| Price on the same stated basis | £12,000 | £11,400 |
| Seller cost already quoted | £900 | £250 |
| Additional work expected from seller | Loading arrangement not yet priced | No additional work stated, subject to written confirmation |
| Collection | Preferred date only | Agreed window proposed |
| Buyer condition | Inspection still required | Defined scope accepted, terms to finalise |
| Amount after known seller costs | £11,100 | £11,150 |
B leaves £50 more after the known costs. A also contains an unpriced obligation and an unresolved inspection condition. That does not prove B is the right buyer. It shows why comparing £12,000 with £11,400 alone misses the decision.
Replace the entries with the actual written offers. Do not subtract the same fee twice if an adviser has already quoted a net figure.
Add a simple decision score
For each offer, mark the following as confirmed, conditional or unknown:
- Asset scope and included items.
- Price basis and all seller costs.
- Authority to accept the offer.
- Payment process and release instruction.
- Collection window and site access.
- Responsibility for specialist work.
- Consequence if an agreed condition is not met.
Give extra attention to the matters linked to your hard deadline. A collection date may matter more than a small price difference if access to the building is ending. Discuss the allocation of collection responsibilities before accepting a vague promise to take everything away.
Investigate a difference instead of reacting to it
If the offer is below an earlier estimate, use the valuation-to-offer comparison to identify the reason. Different assumptions about condition, included accessories or removal may explain part of the gap. A higher number based on a different package is not a better price for the same thing.
RICS's valuation guidance makes the stated assumptions relevant when using an opinion of value. Ask the adviser which of those assumptions match the actual offer.
For a negotiated transaction, the private-sale agreement checklist helps turn an offer into a list of matters to settle. Seek legal advice where terms or rights are unclear.
Send UK Auction Group the complete proposal, including conditions and timing. An adviser can discuss an offer more usefully when the removal promise appears beside the price.
Explore the selling assets guides.
Sources
This guide gives general information. Equipment-specific, legal, tax and safety decisions may need a qualified adviser or competent specialist. The guides do not promise sale prices, fees or results.