Pros and Cons of Buying Your Shipping Containers Used

Are you looking to buy a shipping container but can’t decide between new or used? Let us help with our overview of the pros and cons of buying your shipping containers used!

Pros of Buying Used Shipping Containers

There are many advantages to choosing a used shipping container, but the primary benefits are affordability, durability, and sustainability.

Affordable

The primary advantage that a used shipping container offers to buyers is that it’s generally much more affordable than a new or one-trip container. The specific price of an individual container depends on many factors, such as condition, age, size, etc. But buyers can always save money when they opt for a used unit.

There are several grades of used containers, and depending on the option they choose, a buyer can find a used shipping container at half the price of a new unit. All those extra savings can go toward other areas of the budget (for whatever project you need the container for) and leave you with more money for remodeling and renovating the container.

Long-Lasting

While a used container isn’t as unaffected as a brand-new unit, it’s still very capable of lasting many years. On average, a used container can still function well for decades after purchase, provided you care for it correctly.

There are three different grades of used containers based on their condition: Cargo Worthy, Wind and Water Tight, and As Is. Cargo Worthy is the highest grade and can be certified to transport goods overseas, while Wind and Water Tight is the next grade below Cargo Worthy. Although a Wind and Water Tight container cannot be certified for export transport, it’s very capable as a storage unit. As Is containers are sold as they are and probably require extensive repair to make them usable. At Container Management, Inc., we only sell Cargo Worthy and Wind and Water Tight containers and ensure that each unit meets our stringent standards.

Environmentally Friendly

Whether it’s a shipping container, cars, furniture, or practically anything else, the used option will always be the more environmentally friendly choice. Used containers are units that have spent years and miles on the ocean and the back of trucks. As a result, they’re closer to nearing the end of their utility than new ones.

But used shipping containers are still very capable and can get the job done. Rather than purchasing a new container, you can purchase a used container to save a unit from ending up at the scrapyard or rusting away. By doing this, you use the resources on hand instead of spending time, energy, and materials to create new units.

Cons of Buying Used Shipping Containers

There are definitely fewer cons compared to the pros of purchasing used shipping containers. The primary negative of a used shipping container is that it has more wear and tear than a new container.

Wear & Tear

The main concern with a used container is that buyers aren’t getting a unit in its prime condition. While a used container probably won’t last as long as a new one, it can still last many years and even decades, which is plenty of time for most buyers.

Plus, our thorough inspection and grading process ensures that the used container you purchase from us is still capable of getting the job done!

Now that you understand the pros and cons of buying used shipping containers, are you ready to decide? At Container Management, Inc., we have a wide assortment of shipping containers for sale in Indianapolis and 32 additional depot sites across the country. Contact us to get your container today!