Don't know if they are still operating the same way, But back some 15-20 years I was on the 'inside track' in that I was their local consultant when they had an aviation auction in Montreal.
I an only attest to the ethics that they demonstrated during the bidding process.
An owner CANNOT bid up his goods and if they discover a shill bidder he promptly gets the boot.
Their one 'trick' is that they clean the equipment and very often have a local contractor spray paint for a more appealing look, face it looks do count.
Dave Ritchie started out from Vancouver and now is world wide.
He is easy to recognize as due to his corpulence and any vehicle he drives leans about 15 deg to the driver's side.
Yes some good deals are to be had. Often contractors sell off equipment that was purchased specifically for a particular contract and not needed for other upcoming jobs.
Either way, a Ritchie auction is a fun event if you are into tractors and stuff.
A buddy who is a road snow contractor has bought ex city plows for literal peanuts that simply needed a general tune up and a coat of paint. His last buy even had 6 new tires and essentially ready to work.
Have fun!
