I want my tractor to be used by someone who will need it next time.
I would like to entrust my still working combine harvester to a place that appreciates it as much as possible.
To those who have supported agriculture in the Tohoku region. Until now, it has been common practice for farmers to have their farm equipment picked up by a local tractor company. Of course, that is one of the easiest and safest ways.
However, did you know that a new option is now attracting attention: "selling your equipment yourself on the market (auction) where professional buyers gather"?
In this article, we will explain why farmers in the Miyagi and Sendai areas are now starting to use auctions directly, their strategic advantages, and specific ways to utilize them, using the "Arai Auction Sendai site" located in Taiwa-cho, Kurokawa-gun, Miyagi Prefecture as a stage.
First, let me talk a little about the current state of the market. Japanese agricultural machinery has an "amazing brand value" in the global market.
Products made by Japanese manufacturers such as Kubota, Yanmar, and Iseki are robust, difficult to break, and have a stable supply of parts. For this reason, there are many cases in emerging countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia where agricultural machinery that has served its purpose in Japan is now enjoying a second life.
In particular, farm machinery used in the Tohoku region is highly trusted by overseas buyers as being in "good condition" because it has the horsepower to withstand heavy use in muddy rice paddies and is carefully maintained by the owner.
| Year | Domestic purchase price (image) | Overseas auction demand (image) |
|---|---|---|
| New to 5 years old | 100 | 100 |
| 15 years old | 10 | 45 |
| 30 years old | 0 | 40 |
Even for older models that would not be assessed in Japan, there are cases where overseas demand remains strong.
The recent depreciation of the yen has also been a tailwind, and every week many buyers with sales channels to the world are eagerly looking at the Sendai venue.
There are two major ways to let go of agricultural machinery. It is important to understand the characteristics of each and "use them differently" according to your own situation.
But aren't auctions the world of professionals? You may think so, but Arai Auction Sendai is an environment where ordinary farmers and businesses can easily participate.
Admission fee and deposit are free for "AI-NET General Machinery Limited Member". You can start without risk.
Excellent access to the port. Buyers' transportation costs float, which can easily be added to the bid price.
If you meet our regulations, you can sell your immobile vehicles for cash, which are in demand overseas as "parts collection". (*Please inquire for details of the regulations)
Arai Auction's commission structure is open to the public and is characterized by its high transparency. As an example, let us imagine the case of an auction with an estimated winning bid price of 800,000 yen.
| Sold price at auction | 800,000 yen |
| Auction Fee + Contract Fee | ▲30,000 yen |
| Auction proceeds | 770,000 yen |
| Buyer's appraisal (60% of market price) | 480,000 yen |
*This is an example based on the "Agricultural Machinery Small C" fee revised in January 2025. Please check the official documents for actual conditions and tax-excluded descriptions.
⇒ Imaged difference: approx. +290,000 yen
As you can see, the best part of listing an item for auction is that you can get an amount as close to the market price as possible, even after paying a handling fee.
The process from the time an item is listed to the time it is paid for is very systematic and transparent. The key to success is strict adherence to deadlines, especially in STEP 2 (bringing in items).
We register the customer to the membership type according to the customer's request. You will be screened and may be required to have a co-signer.
The agricultural machinery will be brought to the Sendai venue in Taiwa-machi, Kurokawa-gun, Miyagi Prefecture.
▷ Deadline for delivery: Thursday at 17:00 (after this, it will be handled the following week)
Fill in the hour meter (operating hours), equipment, and defects.
Point: Keeping the form clean and free of mud and writing the information honestly will lead to buyers' trust (i.e., bidding).
The auction will be held. You do not need to go to the auction site; you can check the results on AI-NET. Buyers from all over the country and the world will bid for your agricultural machinery.
After winning a bid, the amount of money, minus handling fees, will be transferred to your designated account. A detailed statement will be issued, so you can rest assured that the basis for the amount is clear.
▷Since you will be able to see "when and how much it sold for" in numerical form, you will be able to plan your next and subsequent sales strategies more easily.
A. Basically, businesses and sole proprietors with an antique dealer permit are eligible. If you have any questions, please contact us.
A. Of course. Companies from Miyagi and Sendai as well as neighboring prefectures such as Aomori, Yamagata, Fukushima, and Iwate also participate in our auctions.
A. You can choose whether to re-list the item or remove it. However, in the case of agricultural machinery, the deadline for removal from the auction may be very tight. Basically, we recommend that you set the price at which you can sell out or use automatic re-listing.