A different machinery auction model

More money toward the machine.

LotFlow is an online marketplace built for CNC, sheet-metal, and industrial machinery. Sellers pay no seller fee. Buyers pay 2.5%, capped at $2,500—even when the machine sells for hundreds of thousands or millions.

Browse auctions Sell your machine · $0 seller fee

2.5% buyer's premium $2,500 maximum premium $0 seller fee Marketing included

Real CNC manufacturing facility with multiple machines and workers

Real CNC facility · Antoniusaw · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

Standard buyer premium 2.5% · max $2.5K

Once the premium reaches $2,500, it stops—regardless of the winning bid.

2.5%Standard buyer's premium on a winning bid

$2,500Maximum standard buyer's premium per lot

$0Seller fee, with marketing support for qualifying equipment

Why we started LotFlow

Industrial auctions needed another option.

After years around the buying, selling, appraisal, and auction of CNC and fabrication equipment, we kept seeing individual machines disappear into large surplus auctions—competing with hundreds of lots while percentage-based fees continued rising with the sale price.

On valuable machinery, those percentages can turn into tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. We believed owners and buyers deserved another option.

LotFlow was created as that alternative: sellers control their listings, the standard buyer's premium is low and capped, and qualifying machines receive marketing support instead of being left on another passive listing page.

DMG Mori multi-axis machining center from an Ashman Company industrial auction

Strategic industry partner

Backed by Ashman Company experience and reach.

LotFlow partners with Ashman Company Auctioneers & Appraisers, bringing nearly four decades of industrial auction knowledge, an established buyer network, national marketing reach, and experience with high-value and multi-million-dollar machinery and facilities.

Since 1987Industrial auction experience

$300M+Industrial machine-tool sales

50 statesNationwide service capability

Visit Ashman Company

LotFlow and Ashman Company are separate legal and operating companies. Ashman Company is an independent strategic industry and marketing partner of LotFlow.

The savings are measurable

A cap changes the math on expensive machinery.

LotFlow's standard buyer's premium is 2.5% of the winning bid until it reaches $2,500. After that, it stops. On a $100,000 machine or a $2 million machine, the maximum standard LotFlow premium is the same.

The comparison uses an 18% premium published on a current industrial machinery auction listing. It is an example—not a claim that every competitor or auction charges the same rate.

Browse machines

Winning bid	LotFlow	18% example	Difference
$100,000	$2,500	$18,000	$15,500
$250,000	$2,500	$45,000	$42,500
$500,000	$2,500	$90,000	$87,500
$2,000,000	$2,500	$360,000	$357,500

Illustration only. Auction fees vary by company, auction, and lot. The 18% example is based on published Machine Tool Bids terms. Taxes, rigging, loading, freight, and other charges may apply separately.

Enter a winning bid

LotFlow premium$2,5002.5%, capped at $2,500

18% example$45,000Illustrative comparison

Illustrative difference$42,500Premium difference only

This calculator is educational and not a quote. Review the terms for each listing before bidding.

Built for both sides

A cleaner way to move industrial equipment.

Buyers get straightforward auction pricing. Sellers get direct control over their listings, whether they have one machine or multiple lots.

For buyers

Search industrial categories, review seller-provided details, inspect when available, and bid from one account.

Browse auctions before creating an account
Watch lots and follow live bidding
Know the buyer's premium before you bid
Coordinate pickup or freight after LotFlow confirms release

Explore equipment

For sellers

Publish your own lots with the information serious equipment buyers need—without paying a listing fee.

Upload photos, specifications, condition, and location
Set the reserve, starting price, bid increment, and end date
List a single machine or a group of lots
Track bids and communicate directly with bidders

Create a listing

A real industrial cutting and kitting machine in operation — Real industrial facility · Windywocket · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized

More than another listing

We help bring buyers to the machine.

Posting a lot is only the first step. LotFlow's model includes targeted promotion, supported by Ashman Company's established industry relationships and buyer audience. For qualifying listings, LotFlow funds that promotion instead of adding a separate advertising charge.

Buyer-network outreach

Direct promotion to established industrial buyers, dealers, exporters, end users, and specialty contacts.

Email and internet campaigns

Targeted email outreach, online advertising, and distribution through relevant industrial channels.

Flyers and sale materials

Professional print and digital materials for qualifying machines, groups of lots, and complete facilities.

Personal support

Help from real people who understand machinery, bidder questions, payments, and equipment removal.

How LotFlow works

From listing to winning bid.

LotFlow runs the auction, receives the winning buyer's payment, and confirms when cleared funds allow the equipment to be released.

Create an account

Add the required buyer or seller details once, then use the platform for future auctions.

Browse or upload

Buyers find equipment by category. Sellers build their own lot with photos and machine data.

Bid to the close

Qualifying bids are binding. Late bids extend the clock so the highest bidder—not the fastest click—wins.

Settle and move

The buyer pays LotFlow by wire or ACH. After funds clear, LotFlow pays the seller and authorizes release; the buyer coordinates transportation.

Simple fee structure

Small premium. Hard cap.

The standard buyer's premium is 2.5% of the winning bid, but never more than $2,500 per lot. Sellers pay no seller fee, and LotFlow's platform charges are disclosed before the transaction—no hidden platform fee.

Open your account

Example purchase Before tax, freight, or other applicable costs

Winning bid$250,000

2.5% calculation$6,250

Premium after LotFlow cap$2,500

Subtotal$252,500

The cap limits the LotFlow buyer's premium. Applicable taxes, shipping, rigging, loading, or other transaction costs may still apply.

Industrial focus

Equipment for real operations.

LotFlow is organized around the machines and assets used by manufacturers, contractors, warehouses, fabricators, and commercial operators.

Seller photo guide

Presentation changes how buyers see the machine.

Clean, honest, well-lit photos help serious buyers understand the asset and bid with more confidence.

Clean the machine

Remove dirt, chips, oil residue, and loose clutter. Clean the surrounding area before taking the first photo.

Use clear lighting

Photograph in bright, even light. Avoid dark corners, heavy glare, and filters that distort the equipment.

Show the full story

Include every side, the controls, work area, data plate, tooling, hours, and important accessories.

Document condition

Show wear, damage, and known issues clearly. Accurate presentation reduces questions and builds bidder trust.

Clear answers

Before you bid or list.

Review the full auction and wire-transfer terms on the platform before participating.

Visit full FAQ

What does LotFlow charge buyers?

The standard buyer's premium is 2.5% of the winning bid, capped at $2,500 per lot. Approved launch-promotion machines may carry no buyer's premium. Taxes and costs such as freight, loading, or rigging may be separate.

What does it cost to list equipment?

There is no listing fee. Sellers can create the listing, upload the machine details and photos, and set the auction terms directly on the platform.

How is payment handled?

After the auction, LotFlow invoices the winning buyer. The buyer pays LotFlow by wire transfer or ACH. Once the full amount clears, LotFlow pays the seller and confirms that the equipment may be released. LotFlow does not accept cash, checks, or credit cards for auction invoices.

Can buyers inspect equipment?

When a listing offers inspection, buyers are encouraged to use it and verify the machine before bidding. Equipment is sold as-is, based on seller-provided information.

Who handles freight or pickup?

After LotFlow confirms cleared funds and authorizes release, the buyer and seller coordinate pickup or freight directly, including access, loading requirements, timing, and cost.

What marketing is included for sellers?

LotFlow may promote qualifying equipment through targeted buyer outreach, email campaigns, internet advertising, industry channels, and print or digital flyers. The strategy depends on the equipment and sale.

Your next machine—or your next buyer—is on the other side of an account.

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