A really common question that we receive through the website is “how do I buy a shipping container?”  Given that a portion of the retail clients that use ContainerAuction.com are first time container buyers, our staff and sellers are well trained and have the experience with containers to ask the right questions and make the transaction as smooth as possible.  In this article, we’ll cover the initial questions, payment, and the container delivery.

Initial Questions When Buying a Container

First, you should have an idea of the “what, when, and where” questions.  What will are you using the container for?  Depending on what you plan to use it for, you may be able to save some money by purchasing a container in wind and water tight condition, as opposed to a new or one trip container.  Where do you need the container?  Will you need a shipping container delivery service, or do you have access to a truck that can deliver it?  Finally, when do you need the container?  Do you need it immediately, or do you need to build a shipping container foundation first?

Payment Options

After you find a container on the site that you’re interested in (assuming you’ve already set up an account and communicated with the seller), the navigate to the listing and either purchase the container through the “buy now” button, or make a bid if the container is being sold as an auction.  Once a day our server processes invoices and emails them out for all of the containers sold during that day.  Payment can either be made by bank transfer, on line bill pay, or many times people will drop off a check at their local Wells Fargo branch.

Container Delivery or Pick Up

Once your payment has been cleared and recorded in our system (normally within 24 hours of receipt) our staff will issue a release code and unit number for your container, or containers.  The depot also has a copy of this information and confirms the details with the driver or person picking up the containers.  After the container leaves the depot the next stop is your location.  To save time, be sure and have the location prepared and any needed equipment onsite and ready to go.

That’s all there is to buying a shipping container to use for storage.  Once it’s in place it’s up to you to begin loading in the items that you need to store and keeping it locked and secure.  If you have any additional questions feel free to contact our staff, or visit the container listing page and contact the seller directly.