01
The seller
Confirm the person or business exists, their contact information is legitimate, and they have authority to sell.
Marketplace safety
Buy and sell heavy equipment with confidence.
BigEquipCo connects equipment buyers, sellers and dealers. We provide marketplace tools and information, but buyers and sellers remain responsible for verifying the equipment, the other party and the terms of the transaction before completing a sale.
Before money moves
6 things to verify before sending money
Take the time to do your due diligence. These six key areas can help you avoid costly problems.
Slow down. Verify. Be confident.If something feels off, take a step back and independently verify before you move forward.
02
The equipment
Match the make, model and serial or PIN/VIN to the physical equipment and transaction documents.
03
Ownership & liens
Determine what ownership documentation applies and whether a lien or other security interest exists.
04
Condition
Inspect it yourself or hire a qualified third-party inspector. Review service records and major repairs.
05
Payment instructions
Independently verify who is receiving the money and where it is going before sending funds.
06
Pickup & transport
Confirm the actual equipment location, release requirements, transporter, loading arrangements and who is authorized to release it.
For buyers
Buying equipment safely
Be informed. Be thorough. Buy with confidence.
- Research the dealer or seller.
- Verify the seller’s business identity independently.
- Speak with the seller directly.
- Confirm the serial/PIN/VIN.
- Verify ownership and lien status.
- Compare pricing with similar equipment.
- Inspect the equipment or hire a third-party inspector.
- Verify the exact equipment location.
- Independently validate payment details.
- Agree on transport and release conditions.
For sellers
Selling equipment safely
Protect your equipment, your account and your payment.
- Be cautious of buyers offering more than the price.
- Watch for fake cashier’s checks or payment emails.
- Do not release equipment before funds are cleared.
- Beware of requests for login credentials or verification codes.
- Verify the buyer’s business and contact information.
- Be cautious of last-minute changes to the pickup party.
- Watch for inconsistent company, payment or pickup names.
- Be careful with third-party arrangements.
- Do not refund money through a different payment method.
- Keep records of all communications and documents.
Know the equipment
Verify the details.
Avoid costly surprises.
Serial / PIN / VIN
Photograph the physical ID plate and ensure it matches the listing and documents.
Condition
Inspect the equipment or hire a qualified inspector. Review service records and major repairs.
Location
Confirm the exact equipment location and ensure it matches the listing.
Hours & history
Compare stated hours with the meter, condition and available maintenance records.
Liens
A clean bill of sale does not always mean the equipment is lien-free. Consider a lien search.
Ownership documentation
Review title, MSO/MCO, registration, bill of sale or prior invoice as applicable.
Common scam patterns
Know the red flags.
These are real examples we see in equipment marketplaces. If a transaction feels unusual, pause and verify.
Bank instruction change
“Send the cleared funds to this new account.”
Fake BigEquipCo support
Unexpected requests for your password, code or verification.
Verification-code scam
“Send me the six-digit number you just received.”
Cloned or stolen listing
Real photos and specs copied from another seller.
Too-good-to-be-true
High-value equipment priced far below comparable listings.
Fake escrow or payment website
A professional-looking link supported only by the sender.
Overpayment refund scam
A “customer” overpays and asks you to refund the difference.
Equipment can’t be inspected
Every attempt to see, inspect or live-video the equipment is avoided.
Know when you’re really dealing with BigEquipCo
BigEquipCo will never ask you to:
- Send us your password.
- Send us a one-time login or verification code.
- Purchase gift cards or cryptocurrency.
- Install remote-access software.
- Send equipment-purchase funds to an account based only on an email or text.
BigEquipCo’s role
BigEquipCo provides marketplace and technology services. Unless expressly stated for a particular service or transaction, BigEquipCo does not inspect equipment, guarantee a seller’s ownership or title, or guarantee the outcome of a transaction.
Something doesn’t look right?
Stop the transaction and report the listing, seller or buyer to BigEquipCo.