You have probably thought of buying shipping containers in San Diego to use as a temporary warehouse for your business or turn it into a makeshift office. Storage containers can also be kept side-by-side to make large spaces or stacked one above the other to build a multi-storey building. The shipping containers come in various sizes but they can be expensive. The good news is that you can strike a good deal by buying used or recycled shipping containers from online suppliers.
Depending upon the size and condition of the container, new shipping containers in San Diego may cost between $3,000 and $5,000. On the other hand, used shipping containers may start from $1500 or even less. With such a significant difference in price, it makes sense to purchase used shipping containers.
However, when you are paying good money for your container, you need to ensure that you get a good deal. Hence, it is essential to check a used container and make sure it’s in acceptable condition. Here are a few things that you need to check.
#1 Pictures May Not Reveal The Truth
The photos of shipping containers posted on websites by online suppliers may not give you the real picture. Sometimes dishonest suppliers like to dupe others by posting fake pictures showing interiors and exteriors of another shipping container that is in good condition. On closer inspection, it turns out that they are pictures of different containers put together to appear like one single unit.
If you are looking to buy shipping containers from an online supplier, you need to make sure that you see real pictures. However, this may not be true for large suppliers who have a huge inventory of containers to sell. When there is a massive inventory, it is not possible to provide real pictures of each container only pictures of similar containers.
#2 Read The Description Carefully
The large suppliers will usually give you a presentation of what an average container of that dimension may look like. In that case, you will need to take a closer look at the product description that will include all the technical specifications, history, and other details of the shipping containers. Do your research well when buying containers online and ensure you ask about the return/exchange policy if the product does not meet your expectations.
#3 Look Closely At The Exterior
When buying from a local dealer, you must make sure that you carefully look at the exterior of the shipping container to see its overall condition. You will need to check the corner castings, paint, and also check for the seals around the edges of the container. Check the sides to see any dents on the surface. While the dents may not be a big deal, they are still noticeable marks of corrosion that indicates that the container is in a bad shape.
#4 Inspect The Interior Walls Of The Container
After you have done a thorough check up of the exterior condition of the container, you will need to take a closer look at the interiors as well. You will need to check a few things such as the following:
- What type of doors do they have?
- Are there any significant signs of damage?
- Do the container doors lock and seal correctly?
- Are the door fittings, seals, gaskets, and locking mechanisms in good condition?
When buying shipping containers in San Diego, it is always advisable to deal with local suppliers and inspect each container thoroughly. Pay attention to little details from flooring and roofing to the exteriors.
