Are you looking for a way to safely carry your products by air, train, or boat? Do you fear that buying a shipping container might make your budget a bit too tight? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about renting or buying a shipping container.
There are reasons to do both! Purchasing a shipping container can benefit those who distribute goods long-distance often. Renting a shipping container can give you access to the best brands without sacrificing your budget.
See below for an in-depth guide on whether you should rent or buy a shipping container.
When Should You Rent a Shipping Container?
Perhaps this will be your first time requiring a shipping container to send or receive your goods. Maybe you need a secure place to store extra equipment or resources for the time being.
Whatever the case might be, renting a shipping container can give you a storage/shipment solution that fits your company budget.
That said, most people don’t realize it can be advantageous for those that need a permanent solution as well. Renting can help you gauge the right size container before you purchase one for the long term.
Renting a shipping container is perfect for anyone that needs a temporary solution. For example, if your company is moving to a different facility, renting a container can solve your short-term need for storage and/or transit.
Many companies also rent a shipping container when their office is undergoing a remodel. With nowhere else to place their company’s hardware and equipment, they can have more peace of mind knowing it’s tightly locked into a metal container.
Depending on your need, they can also make for a tremendous short-term workspace. It isn’t out of the ordinary for construction companies to use them as temporary areas to hold business meetings, seat their superintendents, etc.
When Should You Buy a Shipping Container?
There there are some of you that have the same storage needs time after time. You ship long-distance in large quantities; you’re constantly storing different items for your operations; the list goes on and on.
As we mentioned before, it might be advantageous to rent a shipping container before you buy, so that you can get a feel for the size, capacity, and so forth.
For those of you wondering what the biggest advantage is when you purchase a shipping container, it’s the potential for customization. You can essentially customize any feature of the container that you wish, including:• Paint• Sealant• Doors• Windows• Security features• Heating and Cooling (and insulation)• Shelves
These are the most common. Imagine being able to use a shipping container that’s customized to your exact specifications for the long haul. How much would that streamline the operations of your business?
It can give you more peace of mind as well. For example, after purchasing a container with cooling and insulation, you don’t have to worry about the heat eating away at the IT hardware you store inside it.
If you’re looking to buy, then be sure to look into a Conex box, which can help you find a shipping container that fits all your needs.
Things to Consider When Renting or Buying
No matter which route you choose, there are things to consider. See below for some of the factors you’ll want to think through before you commit.
What’s the Resale Value
If you’re renting a shipping container, then you won’t have to worry about how much you’ll get in a selling situation.
For those of you that purchase a shipping container, you’ll be excited to know that you have a myriad of options.
For example, if you decide the shipping container isn’t for you after its first run, you can sell it as a “One-trip shipping container” and get back a lot of the money you’ve paid for it. There’s also a big market for repurposing containers, so you should be able to sell your container in almost any condition.
How Much Maintenance Will It Need?
For those of you that are going the purchasing route, it would be wise to consider purchasing a used shipping container. This can help you save a tremendous amount over buying new.
That said, you always want to look beyond the price. How much time will you have to commit to fixing it up? How much money will that cost you in the long run?
There’s also frequent maintenance such as pressure washing, inspections, and checking for dents to ensure your container is still functional.
Is it Cleared for Your Preferred Shipping Method?
Yet another factor you’ll want to look for when you purchase a shipping container: can it accommodate your preferred method of travel?
For example, some containers aren’t cleared for travel by air or train, meaning that if you wish to use it for shipping, it will have to be by boat. This can throw a big wrench in your distribution.
Make sure that you understand this before you purchase. Otherwise, you’ll have to accommodate the legal requirements for shipping your metal containers. It’s all a part of finding shipping methods that fit your operations best. Also, look for Shipping Containers for Sale because shipping container is the best option for your shipping business.
Invest in a Shipping Container for Your Business Today
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on buying or renting a shipping container for your needs, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Take the time to browse our website for more articles on shipping containers, as well as many other topics that you will find to be helpful.
Andrea Parker is a reporter for Zobuz. She previously worked at Huffington Post and Vanity Fair. Andrea is based in NYC and covers issues affecting her city. In addition to her severe coffee addiction, she’s a Netflix enthusiast, a red wine drinker, and a voracious reader.
