How It Works

There is no upfront cost to list. Apparatus Exchange earns a transaction fee on the final sale price, paid by the seller at closing. The Basic Package is 8% and the Premier Package is 10%. For example, an 8% transaction fee on a $200,000 sale is $16,000. No sale, no fee. View full pricing →

Once you submit your intake form and sign the seller agreement, we build your listing within 1–2 business days and send you a preview for approval. After approval, it goes live immediately.

All offers and negotiations run through Apparatus Exchange — we present offers to you and communicate responses back to the buyer on your behalf. Once both sides reach agreement, we guide everyone through closing. The buyer funds a secure escrow account before the apparatus ships. Upon confirmed delivery and acceptance, funds are released to you. We manage the entire process from first inquiry to final payment.

Once the buyer confirms delivery and acceptance of the apparatus, our platform fee is automatically deducted from the escrow balance and the remaining proceeds are released directly to you. There is no separate invoice — the escrow account handles the distribution at closing.

We recommend 10–20 photos minimum: front, rear, both sides, pump panel, cab interior, all compartment doors open, any damage or notable features. Higher quality photos lead to faster results.

Yes. Use our free AI-powered Valuator to get a fair market value estimate based on live market comparables, auctions, and dealer listings before you set your price.

If your apparatus sells to any buyer that Apparatus Exchange introduced — even after your listing is removed or withdrawn — the agreed transaction fee applies for up to 180 days following removal. This protects our interest in deals that originated through our platform but close off-platform.

No. Buyers pay nothing to Apparatus Exchange. There are no buyer fees, platform fees, or transaction charges. The seller pays the transaction fee at closing — your purchase price is the purchase price.

Once you and the seller reach a purchase agreement, you transfer the agreed funds into a secure escrow account managed through Apparatus Exchange. The funds are held safely until you confirm delivery and acceptance of the apparatus. Only then are funds released to the seller. This protects you from paying before you have the truck in hand.

Because funds are held in escrow until you confirm acceptance, you have the opportunity to inspect the apparatus upon delivery before funds are released. If there are material discrepancies from the listing, contact Apparatus Exchange immediately and we will work to resolve the dispute before releasing payment.

All apparatus with a final sale price of $150,000 or more and under 30 model years old includes a 6-month powertrain warranty at no additional cost to you. Coverage begins 30 days after title transfer and covers the engine block, cylinder heads, transmission, drive shaft, differential, primary fire pump, and PTO systems. Wear items, body components, and operator damage are excluded. All warranty claims are coordinated through Apparatus Exchange.

Absolutely — we strongly encourage it. Once Apparatus Exchange introduces you to the seller, you can coordinate a direct visit or arrange your own certified apparatus inspector at a mutually convenient time. For remote purchases, we recommend a pre-purchase inspection before committing to the transaction.

Every listing has a "Submit an Offer" button. Enter your offer amount, financing status, any contingencies, and your contact information. Apparatus Exchange presents your offer to the seller and manages all negotiations on behalf of both parties. All communication runs through us — you will always know where things stand without having to chase anyone down.

We can connect you with lenders who specialize in fire apparatus and municipal equipment financing. Visit our Financing page for more information, or indicate on your offer form that financing is needed and we will point you in the right direction. Explore financing options →

Once the purchase is agreed and escrow is funded, we coordinate freight and delivery through certified fire apparatus transport carriers. Our freight estimator on each listing page gives you a real-time driving-distance estimate and cost range. Final freight costs are coordinated directly with the carrier.