Ritchie Bros Auctions in Washington (WA)

Yes, and it is one of the oldest names in the business. Ritchie Bros has run industrial equipment auctions since 1958 and is a publicly listed company. Its traditional sales are unreserved, meaning no minimum price and no seller bidding. A buyer's premium applies (10% on lots up to $12,000, less above) plus a documentation fee on titled items, so check the total before comparing prices against GovDeals.

Against GSA Auctions, which charges no buyer's premium, yes. Against GovDeals, often not: Ritchie Bros charges 10% on lots up to $12,000 (minimum $100) and less above, against 12.5% on most GovDeals lots, though titled items add a documentation fee. What you get for it is scale, inspection reports and equipment that has usually been through a commercial fleet rather than a municipal one. Compare the landed total, not the hammer price.

Yes. Public agencies use commercial auction houses alongside government platforms, particularly for heavy equipment where the buyer pool is national. The Ritchie Bros group also includes GovPlanet, which handles ex-military inventory specifically.