Things to Know Before Buying Second Hand Containers

Posted by clevelandcontainers on March 14th, 2014

Whether you are buying for your own shipping business, personal storage, or a new construction project, there are certain things that you have to look out for when buying second hand shipping containers. First of which is choosing a trustworthy company that only sell containers that are in tip top condition, even when they have seen years of action out sea. Find a shipping container depot that cater to various types of consumers and has an extensive array of shipping and cargo materials that you can choose from so you won't have to settle for less than what you need and deserve for your business, or your personal building project.

Remember that these steel shipping containers were mainly used to transport all kinds of products cross-oceans and were most likely handled ruggedly on their way to their destinations. They may show signs of wear in their dents, scratches, and scrapes, but this doesn't mean that they are no good for your intended use. So don't always take them at face value. Instead, take time to examine them from the outside as well as from the inside so you won't have to spend more on brand new units when you can do with used ones.

Don’t make price your sole basis when deciding which cargo container to buy. Know the supply and demand situation to get the best deal at the time. Moreover, you should always check the offered price against the condition of the product. Most of the time, the price or value of a container is based on its condition and age. You have to know the unit's history, the number of miles it has travelled, the type of handling and transport methods it has endured, as well as the kind of cargo it used to carry and the environment(s) it has been in throughout its life. This will help you gauge whether or not the pricing is right versus the container's condition.

There are two quick ways to determine the age of the container you wish to purchase. The type of door it has is a major giveaway. Containers with flat doors are generally older, as manufacturers switched from flat to corrugated doors around the 1990s. Looking at the container's CSC plate is another way to determine its age, as this plate (usually affixed to the container's left hand door) has all the important information you might need about the container, much like the VIN of an automobile. This plate lists the manufacture date of the container.

About the Author

This article is written by Johnathan Bulmer, owner at Cleveland Containers, which specialize in offering shipping containers in UK. Cleveland Containers is one-stop shop for your entire container related need weather to buy or hire as per your storage requirement. They also give their buyer a facility of providing a special size container as per the demand and it can be delivered in next 7 working days.