Revenues (Revenue from the Rendering of Services) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Revenues [Abstract]
Commissions	$ 120,380	$ 118,180	$ 212,324	$ 217,973
Fees	45,806	40,625	78,361	72,777
Total revenues	$ 166,186	$ 158,805	$ 290,685	$ 290,750

Aggregate commissions earned from sales at auctions and online marketplace sales during the reporting period in the normal course of business. Commissions from sales at auctions represent the percentage earned on the gross auction proceeds from equipment and other assets sold where the Company acts as an agent in rendering its services.

No definition available.

Name:	rba_CommissionRevenue
Namespace Prefix:	rba_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration