FAQ

How much does it cost?
In most cases the only cost to you as the consignor is the commission fee. However if extra services are required or a fixed price listing is used a minimal fee may apply (see rate sheet for details).

How does the commission scale work?
Our commission ranges typically from 1/4 to 1/3 of the price depending on the value of the final sale. We take a smaller commission on higher value items. We also ask that the owner cover the direct costs incurred from the online listing service (i.e. eBay listing fees and final value % paid to eBay). We cover all credit card and transaction costs.

Is the sliding scale commission based on each individual item or all of my equipment?
The sliding scale commission is based on the final selling price of each individual item sold. This means that if an item is sold at $3000 a commission is taken of 28%. However, if our listing managers determine that lotting several items together is more marketable than the commission will be based on the final selling price of the lot and not the individual pieces. Something to keep in mind is that we are all motivated by the same thing in the end; the final selling price.

What am I required to do to have Atlas sell my equipment?
The first step is to contact an Atlas Frontiers Account Executive from there they can assist you in beginning the selling process. Our services are meant to be as comprehensive as possible and truly take the headache away from the entire process.

Where will my equipment be advertised?
We utilize several venues online to find the right place and the right time to drop your item into the international marketplace. We've found that the lion's share of online buyers search eBay so most of our listings circulate through our e-bay store primarily for the purpose of advertisement and cross-promotion.

What are my options on how Atlas sells my equipment?
We actually market your equipment in two different ways:
Fixed price – Due to the specialization of some items our historical data shows that some pieces of equipment require a fixed price. Market determined price – Due to the liquidity and demand for certain items an auction process is the most efficient method of gaining the highest value in a minimal amount of time.

How long does the entire process generally take?
On most items the entire process typically takes anywhere from six to eight weeks from start to finish. This process includes; pick-up, cleaning and professional photos, market research, advertisement creation (with keyword and venue optimization), answering buyer questions, negotiation of sale, shipping of equipment and getting a check back to you.

How do you determine what equipment is worth?
Atlas uses a vast internal database of licensed historical sales data for almost all pieces of health care equipment on the market. We are able to determine fair market value with actual market data as opposed to a general straight line depreciation method.

Do you sell worldwide?
Absolutely! We have shipped to every continent (except Antarctica). Due to the differences in the technology cycle of different countries a majority of the older health care technology that is being removed from use in the US still has a great market overseas. The best example of this is the film based x-ray technology. This reach can often mean the difference between $100 in metal at home and $3500 in remote area of Africa.

Where are Atlas Frontiers warehouses located and what is our geographic reach?
Our corporate offices are located in Boise, Idaho. We also have an additional warehouse in Seattle to better service our West coast clientèle. Between both locations we are able to service any consignor within the United States.

Do you offer de-installation services?
We do offer de-installation services on most pieces of equipment at a cost of $80.00/hour. On more specialized pieces of equipment, we generally contract out to several of our partner companies.

How do I schedule a pick-up?
This part of the process is simple, just call or e-mail one of out account representatives at 208-286-1775 or service@atlasfrontiers.com.

What happens to unsold items?
Atlas Frontiers sells almost everything we accept, but in the unlikely event that an auction goes unsold, we are can assist you in getting the item or items to a location of your choice. If you don't want to hassle with it, we can donate the item to a tax-deductible charity of your choice.

Does Atlas Frontiers purchase equipment outright?
In most cases we do not, we've attempted to limit our business to consignment as it generally brings greater value back to the original owners while lowering their risk. However, if you are only interested in outright purchasing of the equipment we would be more than happy to discuss this with you.

Why shouldn't I sell the equipment on my own?
If you are able to take the time to do so, we always encourage our consignors to try to sell the equipment themselves. In the past we've found that our best consignors are those that have attempted to navigate the chaos of the online health care market.

What are the advantages of selling online?
You have access to millions of potential buyers that pay market prices for your goods. In addition, the online auction marketplace is a great place to find national average prices on new and used items. For example, the local physicians clinic may have shut down, rendering an ultrasound nearly valueless in the local market. With our resell management service that asset will find a market with a need for that specific ultrasound. Or, take the case of a panoramic X-Ray that we sold to a not for profit group in Tanzania. Here in the states the X-ray was considered an older model on it's way out the door, but for this company in Tanzania, they were willing to pay a premium.

Who pays for shipping?
The buyer pays for shipping and we manage all of the fulfillment, packing, and freight charges. We manage the entire process.

What type of items does Atlas Frontiers sell?
We have recently made the decision to focus specifically on equipment within the health care industry. In an effort to assist our hospitals and clinics, we will however sell specific non-industry like items; i.e. cafeteria, restaurant, office, IT, etc.. Basically anything you might find within a typical hospital or dental clinic.

How can I track my equipment?
You can contact your Account Executive at any time to see what stage of the process your equipment is in. Or just call our main line at 208-286-1775 and someone will be happy to assist you. Also, feel free to e-mail us at service@atlasfrontiers.com.