Frequently Asked Questions

Browse our listings using the search page with filters for sector, brand, condition, price, and location. When you find a machine you like, click "Order Now" to start the purchase process. You can also contact the seller directly to ask questions before buying.

Yes. You can contact the seller through our messaging system to arrange a visit. You can also request a professional inspection from our certified inspectors, who will provide a detailed PDF report on the machine's condition.

Machine purchases — protected by escrow

When you pay for a machine, the full transaction value is wired to a regulated third-party escrow agent (Escrow.com, Truzo or a Swiss bank — the final partner will be confirmed in the coming weeks). Heavy Buddy never holds your funds. The escrow agent only releases the money to the seller once you have received the machine and signed off on the 7-day inspection period. If something goes wrong, the funds stay frozen until the dispute is resolved.

Services & advertising — Stripe

Subscriptions, listing boosts, inspection fees and engineering studies are processed by Stripe (PCI-DSS level 1 certified). These are smaller, recurring charges that do not need escrow — you are billed directly with a card or SEPA debit.

You can cancel an order while it's still in "Pending" status. Once the seller has confirmed and the machine is in transit, cancellation may not be possible. Check your order details for current cancellation options.

Go to your Dashboard and click "+ New Ad". Fill in the details (title, brand, model, condition, photos, price, location) and publish. You can upload up to 10 photos. New ads from first-time sellers go through a quick manual review (under 24 hours) before going live — verified sellers with successful past transactions are published immediately.

Listing your machine is always free — no upfront fee, no subscription required to publish an ad. A commission applies when the machine actually sells, and additional fees apply if you use our premium services (inspection, engineering, logistics, boosts). Full breakdown on our pricing page.

From your ad page, click "Put my ad on top". Your machine appears on the homepage and at the top of search results — buyers see it before scrolling. During the launch phase, this boost is free for all users.

Yes — identity verification (KYC) is mandatory before you can publish an ad. This is a requirement from our banking and escrow partners, who are obligated under EU and Swiss anti-money-laundering regulations to identify every party in a transaction above a few hundred euros. Verifying your identity unlocks three things at once: you can receive payments through the escrow system, your ad gets a "Verified seller" badge that builds buyer trust, and we can resolve any dispute in your favor with full legal weight. The process takes about 5 minutes — upload an ID for individuals, or your SIRET / VAT registration certificate for companies — and is reviewed within 24 hours.

For machine purchases, Escrow.com accepts bank wire transfers (recommended for transactions over €25 000), credit cards, and PayPal in select regions. For subscriptions and service fees (inspection, boost, engineering studies), we accept all major credit and debit cards via Stripe.

During the launch phase, Heavy Buddy is entirely free. Paid plans (Pro, Premium, Partnership) will be activated once the platform reaches critical mass — early users will get preferential terms.

Think of escrow as a referee for your money. When the buyer pays, the funds don't go to the seller — they go to a regulated third-party agent who locks them in a dedicated account. Heavy Buddy is currently finalizing the partnership and will operate with one of three best-in-class providers: Escrow.com (US/EU licensed, marketplace leader), Truzo (digital escrow specialist) or a Swiss banking partner (highest sovereignty standard). Final choice announced in the coming weeks.

Here is what happens, step by step: 1. Buyer pays → funds enter escrow, seller is notified. 2. Seller ships the machine. 3. Buyer receives and signs the delivery note → the 7-day inspection clock starts. 4. Buyer confirms acceptance → escrow releases the money to the seller, minus the Heavy Buddy commission. 5. If something is wrong, the buyer opens a dispute → funds stay frozen until our mediation team resolves the case (5 business days max). The system is symmetrical: sellers cannot disappear with the money, buyers cannot disappear with the machine.

During the launch phase, every account is on the free plan. Plan management will be available once paid tiers are activated.

Our certified inspectors perform a full mechanical inspection including engine, hydraulics, undercarriage, electrical systems, and structural integrity. You receive a detailed PDF report with photos and recommendations within 5 business days.

Inspection fees depend on the machine type, location, and depth of report you need (visual check, full mechanical audit, or rail-ready certification). Get an instant estimate on our pricing simulator — it includes the Heavy Buddy commission and partner fees so the total you see is the total you pay. Simulator coming soon — in the meantime, contact us for a quote tailored to your request.

Go to Dashboard > Inspections to see all your requests. Each inspection has a visual timeline showing progress from submission to report delivery. You'll also receive notifications when the status changes.

Our in-house engineering bureau adapts second-hand machines to your specific application — rail-road kits, special booms, custom buckets, RAL coupling, hydraulic auxiliary lines, etc. We deliver a feasibility study, a fixed-price quote and the final certified machine ready for service.

Yes — rail-road conversions are one of our specialties. We integrate guide-rail wheels (1435 mm standard gauge, other gauges on request), rail-compatible braking, signalling beacons, and obtain the SNCF/DB/RFI approval where needed. Typical delivery: 6 to 14 weeks depending on scope.

Step 1: you describe the target application (load case, environment, regulations). Step 2: our engineers issue a feasibility report (3-5 business days) with a fixed-price quote. Step 3: if you accept, we coordinate the workshop, sourcing, structural calculations, CE marking and final delivery to your site.

The feasibility report is fixed-fee (typically €450 to €1 200 depending on machine complexity). Full modifications are quoted case-by-case after the study. Contact us for a tailored estimate.

Yes. Every structural modification is signed off by a certified engineer (BTP / ferroviaire as applicable). We deliver the updated CE declaration of conformity, the technical file, and where required the national railway authority approval (EPSF in France, EBA in Germany, ORR in the UK).

For machines under 44 t and standard width, a single low-loader truck is usually enough. Above that (convoi exceptionnel), we coordinate route surveys, escort vehicles, road permits and police authorization. Lead time is typically 7 to 21 business days depending on the destination country.

By default the buyer pays (ex-works terms). The seller and buyer can agree on a different Incoterm (FCA, DAP, CIP…) directly in chat — Heavy Buddy publishes the agreed term on the order summary. For our turnkey Logistics service, the buyer pays Heavy Buddy and we handle everything.

Absolutely. You can arrange your own transport once the order is placed. The seller will release the machine to your carrier upon presentation of the Heavy Buddy "Ready to ship" voucher. The 7-day inspection clock starts the day you sign the delivery note.

Yes — our partner network covers the whole EU + UK + Switzerland + LATAM. We provide a fixed-price quote with insurance up to the machine value, route survey, permits, escort and on-site unloading. Quotation is free.

If transport was arranged by Heavy Buddy, our carrier's all-risk insurance covers the damage — we file the claim and you get reimbursed at the listed value. If you used your own carrier, you must file the claim with your insurer; the escrow remains frozen until the situation is clarified.

Yes. Our active zones are: EU (27 countries), United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, and Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru and others). For destinations outside these zones, contact us — we evaluate case-by-case based on customs feasibility.

For B2B sales between two EU-VAT-registered companies, the transaction is invoiced excluding VAT under the reverse-charge mechanism (your VAT number must be valid in VIES). Heavy Buddy auto-checks both parties' VAT numbers and generates the compliant invoice.

Yes. Any machine intended for use in the EU must bear CE marking and be accompanied by its declaration of conformity (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC). If the machine was originally sold outside the EU, our engineering team can perform the CE re-certification (technical file + declaration). Mandatory for railway works (EPSF approval in France).

Within the EU, no customs procedure is required (free movement of goods). For Switzerland, UK and LATAM exports, our turnkey Transport service includes the customs broker, the EX-A declaration on the seller side, and the IM-A on the buyer side. You receive a complete and clean shipping file.

Minimum file: commercial invoice, packing list, EUR.1 origin certificate (preferential tariff), CE declaration of conformity, EX-A customs declaration on the seller side. For railway equipment, add the railway authority approval (ORR for UK, FOT for Switzerland). We provide the complete template via our Logistics service.

By default, second-hand machines on Heavy Buddy are sold "as inspected" — no manufacturer warranty unless the listing explicitly mentions one. The Heavy Buddy 7-day inspection right gives you a refund if the machine does not match the listing description. For an extended mechanical warranty (3, 6, or 12 months), our partner offers an optional service.

You have 7 days after delivery to inspect the machine and report any discrepancy (hidden defects, missing components, hours different from the listing, etc.). Open a dispute from the order page — Escrow.com freezes the funds and our team mediates within 5 business days. If your claim is valid, you get a full refund — no questions asked.

7 calendar days from the date of delivery (signature of the delivery note). After this period, the funds are automatically released to the seller and your right to refund is closed. Hidden defects (vices cachés in French law) remain covered for 2 years under article 1641 of the French Civil Code for B2C buyers.

Both parties submit their evidence (photos, videos, inspection reports, message history) through the platform. Our team analyzes the case and proposes a resolution within 5 business days: refund, price adjustment, partial refund, or release of funds. If a party refuses our decision, the case is escalated to a sworn expert appointed via the French Chambre Nationale des Experts Spécialisés.

Yes. Funds are never held by the seller or by Heavy Buddy — they are wired directly to Escrow.com, a regulated third-party escrow agent (licensed in California and the EU). If the seller fails to ship within the agreed timeframe, the funds are automatically refunded to you. Total risk on Heavy Buddy = €0.

Click "Sign Up" and enter your username, email, and password. You'll receive a verification email — click the link to activate your account. Once verified, you can start buying and selling immediately.

Click "Forgot your password?" on the login page. Enter your email address and we'll send you a reset link. The link is valid for a limited time. If you don't receive the email, check your spam folder.

KYC (Know Your Customer) verification lets you prove your identity by uploading a government-issued ID. Verified users get a green badge on their profile and ads. You can choose between individual or business verification (with SIRET/VAT number).

Once a transaction is fully closed (machine delivered and accepted, or sale completed on the seller side), both parties can leave one review of each other. Go to the order page, click "Leave Review", select a rating from 1 to 5 stars, and add your feedback. One review per transaction — so the same seller can have multiple reviews over time, one for each machine sold. Reviews are visible on the seller profile and on every ad they publish.