Koebbe Auto Tech

Situation

Steve Koebbe was preparing to retire after decades of operating his West Chester automotive service center.

The business operated from a four-bay garage with attached leased office space, filled with equipment including 2-post lifts, diagnostic machines, welders, air compressors, and hundreds of professional tools collected over the years. Because the property was leased, it was essential that all equipment be safely removed without damaging the facility.

At the same time, Mr. Koebbe wanted to ensure the equipment was sold efficiently without the hassle of piecing it out through private sales.

Solution

Worley Auctioneers developed a structured plan to organize, market, and liquidate the entire shop.

Our team spent several days sorting, organizing, and professionally photographing hundreds of tools and machines, creating a high-quality online catalog that highlighted condition, brand names, and key details important to mechanics and shop owners.

The auction was promoted directly to local automotive professionals, repair shops, and equipment buyers, generating strong interest from the regional mechanic community. A total of 138 competitive bidders participated in the auction.

After the sale, Worley’s in-house automotive specialists supervised the proper disassembly and load-out of all heavy equipment, ensuring that lifts, machines, and compressors were removed safely and efficiently.

Outcome

The auction was organized into nearly 300 well-curated lots, generating almost $55,000 in total sales.

Mr. Koebbe was able to retire without the stress of negotiating individual equipment sales or coordinating complicated removals. Within just a few days, the entire shop was cleared and the leased facility returned broom clean, allowing him to fulfill his lease obligations and move forward with confidence.

Most importantly, the process allowed him to close out decades of business ownership smoothly—without lifting a finger.