It's a tight economy, and everyone everywhere is looking for a good deal. Given the changes coming with Obamacare, the recent Federal government shutdown, and everything else in the world; people are interested in making every dollar they've earned go further. That being said, life goes on and we've got to keep living.

People looking to buy a used shipping container are no different - they want the best possible deal at the best possible price. However, the one thing we need to define is the difference between "cheap" and "inexpensive".

Cheap Shipping Containers

Cheap shipping containers are around most places in the United States and Canada, and while they may be sold at a unbelievably discounted prices, it's usually for a good reason. Cheap shipping containes are often sold by their owner on websites like Craigslist. They've normally got some rust on them, and it may be more than surface rust, and the frame could be racked (industry term for "out of square"), and you probably have to find your own way to move it. Which isn't always easy, especially if it's on someones farm or property and they don't have a forklift on site.

How do you tell if it's a cheap shipping containers? Check the following areas:

• The Floor: Are there any rotten areas? Has it been replaced, or has it been covered over with another sheet of plywood? Replacing the floor isn't necessarily bad, but if it's just been covered over it could mean other problems like mold or severe rust damage.
• The Corners: Check the top rail and bottom rail corners, and each of the eight corners in the front and back. These areas are natural places for condensation to collect and thus rust/corrosion to for form and take hold.
• The Doors: Do they open/close smoothly? They may not swing like your front door, but they should swing without too much encouragement.

Inexpensive Shipping Containers

Inexpensive shipping containers are solid containers, sold at a reasonable price. They may not be the cheapest on the market, but they will be the best value for the money. Inexpensive shipping containers can also be found on Craigslist, but they're probably sold by dealers, brokers, or shipping lines, and they will coach you what to look for and have the conections that are able to connect you with shipping container delivery services. Inexpensive shipping containers may be old, but they've got life left in them.

How can you tell if it's in inexpensive shipping containers?

• The Floor: It's either original and in decent shape, or has been properly repaired - meaning the original floor was removed, and the new floor was put in place and sealed by a trained professional. There may be a little damage or gouges from a forklift, but it's dry and shows no signs of rotting or decay.
• The Walls: The walls may have a little rust on them, but it should be surface rust that you can push on with your thumb and it won't push through to the outside of the container. Again, there may be some dents and dings but that's to be expected in a used container.
• The Doors: They'll swing without having to exerct too much force, and they'll probably have a healthy coat of grease on the hinges and locking rods. It might look messy, but it will move and won't be rusted into place.

Once you start shopping you can find a wide range in the prices of shipping containers, and just like used cars you get what you pay for. The cheapest car on the lot might be a lemon, and the cheapest shipping container in the depot might be a roached out rust bin. The best thing you can do is research, inspect, and educate yourself to know what to look for.