container buying guide
Don't navigate new and used container sales in Mobile, AL, blindly.
Buying a shipping container shouldn't be a shot in the dark. Our comprehensive buying guide walks you through the entire process, from picking the right grade and size to understanding the logistics of getting it dropped on your property. We break down what to look for, what to avoid, and how to make sure you get exactly what you pay for.
Don't risk thousands of dollars on an internet reseller. Buy local, inspect your container in person, and know exactly what—and who—is showing up at your property. When it comes to purchasing a shipping container, we have one golden rule for our customers: Do not buy a container unless you can put your hands on it first. The shipping container industry has recently been flooded with out-of-state online resellers and internet brokers. These companies run flashy websites and promise rock-bottom prices, but there is a major catch: they don't actually own the containers they are selling, they don't have a physical yard, and they have never laid eyes on the product you are buying. You wouldn't spend $5,000 to $8,000 on a piece of heavy intermodal steel without looking at it. Here is why buying from an online broker is a massive financial risk.
The Local Advantage: Exposing the Risks of Online Container
The "Cargo Worthy" Guessing Game
Online brokers operate out of call centers hundreds or thousands of miles away. Because they don't have a depot or an inspection team, the salesperson on the other end of the phone doesn't even know what color your container is. When they promise you a "Cargo Worthy" or excellent condition box, they are simply guessing. They are relying on sight-unseen wholesale lists, crossing their fingers that the box the depot blindly loads onto a truck isn't heavily damaged or rusted out.
The "Pay on Delivery" Trap & Fake Restocking Fees
Many online resellers advertise "Pay on Delivery" to make you feel safe. In reality, it is often a trap. If a badly damaged container arrives at your property and you rightfully reject it, the broker will hit you with devastating hidden fees.
- They will charge you for the initial delivery.
- They will charge you for the return delivery trip.
- They will invent a "Depot Restocking Fee"—usually 10% to 15% of the container's price.
The Homeland Security Reality Check
Here is a closely guarded industry secret: that "depot restocking fee" is entirely fabricated. Due to strict Homeland Security regulations and terminal rules, a container cannot simply be returned to a port or intermodal depot just because a customer didn't like it. A driver must have a valid, pre-approved reference booking to gate-in a container. The online reseller knows this; they just make up the "restocking fee" to penalize you for rejecting the box and to pad their own pockets.