Understanding the Two Sales Strategies
What Is an Online Auction?
A time-limited public bidding process where buyers compete for listed assets. This creates urgency, price competition, and market-driven outcomes.
What Is a Private Treaty Sale?
A direct negotiation between seller and buyer — ideal for high-value or specialized items where privacy, precision, and flexibility are key.
Online Auction vs Private Treaty: Comparison Table
| Factor | Online Auction | Private Treaty |
|---|---|---|
| Speed of Sale | Fast (5–10 days) | Variable (weeks/months) |
| Buyer Pool | Global, open to all | Targeted strategic buyers |
| Pricing | Dynamic, competitive | Fixed or negotiated |
| Transparency | Public bid history | Confidential sale |
| Best For | Commoditized or common assets | Rare or high-value niche items |
When Online Auctions Work Best
- You need to sell quickly
- Assets appeal to a broad market
- You want price competition
- You seek full transparency
💡 Surplus Cascade’s timed auctions reach thousands of buyers globally.
When Private Treaty Sales Make Sense
- Items are rare, complex, or regulated
- You want to target specific sectors or buyers
- Flexibility in pricing or timing matters
- Confidentiality is essential
💡 We identify and engage qualified buyers discreetly and efficiently.
Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
In many cases, we recommend a hybrid sales model:
- Sell common items via auction
- Handle rare or sensitive assets through private treaty
- Maximize value while maintaining flexibility
So — Which Is Better?
It depends. If you need fast turnaround and price competition, go with auctions. If your priority is control, discretion, and targeted outreach, private treaty delivers better results.
Surplus Cascade helps you evaluate your inventory and tailor the best strategy — or combine both.
📩 Contact us at sales@surpluscascade.com
🌐 Visit www.surpluscascade.com to schedule a consultation or request a sale plan.
