Target Retail, Wholesale & Auction Buyers Simultaneously With Pre-AuctionTime

    Posted On: March 9, 2026
    The Pre-AuctionTime logo on a white background.

    One of the biggest benefits of AuctionTime is the ability to set your own auction date, but once you (or your customer) have decided to sell an asset, why wait even a week? Make it available for purchase instantly with Pre-AuctionTime.

    For items you list on AuctionTime, you can opt to add Pre-AuctionTime for additional sales opportunities immediately. Pre-AuctionTime bridges the gap between retail and auction in the equipment lifecycle. Rather than simply waiting for auction day, Pre-AuctionTime provides an all-in-one sales opportunity that targets retail, wholesale, and auction buyers simultaneously, giving you a chance to sell it before it hits the auction block. If the asset remains unsold by the auction date, it automatically transitions to auction as planned. 

    How It Works

    When you check the Pre-AuctionTime box as you’re adding an asset to AuctionTime, the asset is then advertised to Sandhills Global’s exclusive network of wholesale buyers and to retail buyers on the relevant trade site, such as MachineryTrader.com or TruckPaper.com, at no additional cost.

    Approximately 40% of assets listed on Pre-AuctionTime sell ahead of the auction. Unsold items that move to AuctionTime benefit from the increased marketing exposure leading up to auction day, which can help attract more bidders and lead to a higher selling price.

    Pre-AuctionTime Benefits

    • Simple, free, automated process
    • Opportunity for quick, easy profits at wholesale or retail
    • Roughly 40% of Pre-AuctionTime assets sell before auction
    • Items not sold before the auction typically fetch higher prices
    • Ability to generate new leads and business connections
    • Assets receive exposure on relevant industry trade sites
    A Pre-AuctionTime email with links to get financing or shipping, add the asset to a watchlist, or email the seller.
    Assets added to Pre-AuctionTime are sent to the Fast Track Iron wholesale dealer network via two email blasts: one to announce the added items and a “last chance” email sent just before the items go to auction.

    More Exposure

    Your asset is listed on AuctionTime.com in advance of the sale, but with Pre-AuctionTime, it is also listed on Fast Track Iron, Sandhills’ exclusive wholesale network, where it appears at the top of dealers’ searches. The network’s dealers also receive two email blasts, one to announce the asset when it’s added, and a “last chance” email just before the auction date, which includes options to Buy It Now or Add To Watchlist to spur action.

    The exposure doesn’t stop there. Pre-AuctionTime also puts your asset in front of a massive global audience of retail buyers using Sandhills trade sites, where it becomes a featured listing, appearing near the top of users’ search results. Retail buyers won’t see that the item is set to be auctioned, so you can price it aggressively to boost the odds of a quick sale. 

    Optional Opportunities

    Sellers can add layers to their advertising by opting for photo listings for their Pre-AuctionTime assets in the relevant trade publication to target retail buyers in specific regions. Truck Paper offers nine options, Machinery Trader has five, TractorHouse has eight, and MarketBook Canada offers two regions.

    Why Wait?

    To learn more about Pre-AuctionTime or to start advertising your asset to all sales avenues, contact your Sandhills rep today.

    A version of this article first appeared in Sandhills Magazine. You can find current and back issues in the Sandhills Magazine Archive.

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