Buying Used Shipping Containers

Shipping containers definitely come handy in a variety of circumstances. Among other things, they are very useful when it comes to the storage all sorts of products and materials for both transport and safekeeping. However, brand new shipping containers can definitely hurt the wallet. Depending on some of the features and the actual size of these containers, they can go for as high as a thousand to even four thousand US dollars.

This becomes problematic for a lot of companies as this cost might not fall within their allotted budget. Thankfully, there are now a lot of dealers that provide used shipping containers at a much cheaper cost. It has become a more affordable alternative especially for businesses that may not have too much to spend.

Success with Second-Hand Containers

While some folks might get turned off with the notion of using other people’s “leftovers,” the truth is one can actually purchase second-hand containers that are almost indistinguishable from their newer counterparts. A lot of vendors make a living out of buying old containers and making them look as if they were brand new. Not only that but they also make sure that function-wise these used containers still feel like they are just fresh off the manufacturing plant.

They employ all sorts of techniques, from replacing parts that may have broken down due to wear and tear, all the way to applying a shiny new coat of paint. Before selling them to the market, they test the durability of these restored containers to ensure that they comply with certain air tightness and weather requirements.

In fact, some vendors even go as far a customizing these used containers to make them look and function like the newer containers of today. They add new modern ramps and shelves to the containers to make sure that the storage process goes without a hitch. Some even add an HVAC system in order to control the temperature inside the containers. It just becomes a matter of looking for a dependable vendor that doesn’t have any intentions of ripping their customers off.

Obviously, the biggest advantage of opting for second-hand shipping containers is the fact that they are much cheaper than buying a brand new one. Depending on a number of factors, one can end up saving anywhere between thirty and fifty percent by opting for a refurbished container.

There are even more ways to save money when purchasing used shipping containers. This of course, becomes dependent on the needs of the company and the products or materials they wish to store or transport. It is necessary to realize that used containers are not designed (or redesigned) the same way. There are low end containers that come with the least amount of features and offer deals that are often called “as is.” This usually implies that there are no guarantees regarding the container and that they come with very little to no modification work done on them. These types of containers naturally come at the cheapest rates. However, there are also high end containers that have more features and also include warranties. As mentioned earlier, some of them are even comparable to new containers. It all depends on the needs of the company and how much they are willing to pay for quality and service.

Still Not Satisfied?

However, even the cost of buying used containers may still be too high for some folks. For these people, another option would be to lease a shipping container. There are also a lot of companies that lease out their containers and surely, they are much cheaper than actually buying one. Most leasing deals allow customers to spread their payments over a specified time period which means that the upfront cost required is relatively less. Most container leases last anywhere between eighteen and twenty-four months. The payments also vary depending on the agreement between the parties involved. On the average, it would be fair to expect to pay around seventy-five to a hundred and fifty dollars on a monthly basis. This is where PR and negotiation skills come into play.

However, depending on the container needs of a company, there are some cases wherein it becomes cheaper to purchase used shipping containers than to apply for a lease. This is especially true for instances wherein companies need to lease containers for extended periods. Those that need containers for three years or upwards may want to look into the option of just buying used containers instead of leasing them. Although it may require higher upfront costs, it may turn out to be the cheaper alternative in the long run. This is especially true for those who need more than just a few containers as they would surely be able to get a discount with most vendors as sellers usually prefer bulk sales.