Additional Information
Shipping Information
We deal with multiple shipping companies that can transport your apparatus wherever it needs to go. They are true professionals and have shipped many apparatus. Whether you need a drop deck or a straight flatbed trailer, these companies can take care of business. Let us know if you need help regarding this matter.
Top Apparatus Selling Tips
If you are replacing the vehicle, make sure you have another piece ordered or have a replacement readily available. There are instances where buyers would like the apparatus before your new one is in service. And you must be prepared for this if “The Price is Right.”
Contact a broker that you feel comfortable with and will actually come out to your station to take photos, videos and gather the information needed for a quality listing.
Make sure that the apparatus is clean, both inside and out so that quality photos and videos can be taken. Also make sure that all pump and/or aerial tests are current. Customers LOVE current certifications.
Make sure that the broker keeps in contact with you about any and all offers, no matter how trivial they seem. These smaller offers might actually lead to a sale.
Make sure that the apparatus is available for viewing to potential customers. They will not only want to view the apparatus but also drive, pump and raise the stick. You can dictate when the apparatus can be viewed, within reason.
It seems logical that advertising as many different places as possible would help sell your rig quicker. But what often happens is that it becomes “white noise” as is overlooked. If advertising is kept to a couple keep websites, your piece becomes unique and catches the eye of the buyer much easier. Facebook can be your friend as well as your enemy, so tread lightly there on the marketplaces.
When first listing the unit, don’t put the asking price too high. This will scare off potential buyers. Just because the magazines and other websites have rigs listed for a certain price does not mean they are actually receiving that price. These prices are what they are asking and some are, seriously, way out there. The longer the truck sits, the less money you will probably end up making.
Think before you get a low-ball offer from a broker that is just going to do some quick cosmetic fixes and turn around and sell it for a large profit. That profit could be yours.
If you are not required to use Munici-Bid, DON’T. That is the possible lowest you would get for a piece of apparatus. Even with a reserve, you could do better by having a broker help you sell it.
My Sincerest Gratitude
I want to take this opportunity to thank Web Yoda at webyoda.com for all his great tutorial videos and extremely helpful information and tips that allowed me to make this website. The countless hours of viewing the tutorials on you tube and applying the techniques allowed me to create this site at minimal cost. Without his help this would not have been possible. THANK YOU !!!
Apparatus "Lost and Found"
This segment is directly from my column in “Keystone State Fire Apparatus News”. If anyone knows the whereabouts of these particular vehicles from Pennsylvania, (i.e. another fire company, privately or junked) please let me know. Any help is certainly appreciated. Check out many more “Lost and Found” in our blog.
This 1982 Ford/Reading squad truck from Brushtown, Adams County, PA, originally served with the Franklin Fire Company of Chambersburg. Unknown where it ended up after Brushtown.
Gettysburg (Adams County) PA’s 1962 Ford F600/Hahn 750 gpm engine. It was originally painted all red before a repaint into the company’s current color scheme. Any idea where this beauty might have ended up?
The New Oxford Community Fire Company, Adams County, PA at one time owned this nice 1987 Pierce Lance engine. It had a 1500 gpm pump and 750 gallon tank with Pierce number E-3464. It was sold to somewhere in Missouri. Anyone know where exactly?