RBA has been an auction house for almost 60 years. Does anyone really think they do not know how to get that last nickle from a buyer.
They have years of data and experience, and know how to get the most money on a sale. If that is moving stock, holding for better venue, or working backyard deals that is how the auction biz is run. Imagine if they "work" a dollar off each auction how much that is at the end of a year. They even have employees that work on equipment to get it through an auction, if it runs they get more coin, taillights guarantee. Does RBA repair and refurbish equipment, yes. Change a tire for a picture, why not.
Has anyone not noticed the inflated starting prices. If the price of the auction gets above the start price the auction moves quicker and saves time, more items across the block, and gets more money, win win.
I have only dealt with one yard, and everytime I go there by appointment the guy does a great job of helping out. If that meant using a tire of another vehicle it was done or a shackle to pull on trailer, or a few gallons of fuel, forklift, done. But to act like a yard nazi does not make good biz. If RR has a continued problem and the same guy why is he still there, and he may never be replaced, related? To have continued problems there I would not bid at that facility, or arrange another way of retrieval like has been mentioned.
But RBA has a pattern of biz. Having been around heavy equipment all my life, and having RBA close, knowing employees, and seeing what and how it goes across the block nothing surprises me. And having RBA buying up auction outfits continuously forever gives them allot of clout.