Where to buy bulk quantities of empty shipping/storage containers?

[tinselworm]

Hi,

We have a large plot of land next to one of our industrial units that we're considering filling with shipping/storage containers ...30+ 20ft containers for low cost self storage.

We've bought shipping containers off various container specialists in the past for storage but only in small quantities of 1 or 2 at a time for £1,000 - £1,500 depending on their condition/sea worthiness etc. Some of the first ones we purchased were probably cheaper than this as we were buying around 2009 when shipping companies couldn't get rid of them quick enough.

For a quantity of 30+ containers can anyone advise if there is a better route for sourcing them? I've read that they are sometimes abandoned at ports by the handler (after the goods have been cleared out / or due to the goods not being claimed).

Does anyone know if the containers (not the goods) get auctioned off anywhere?
Just to clarify, we're not interested in the goods inside the containers, just the containers themselves.

Thanks!

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

There's a guy on ebay selling 4 for £500 each

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cheap-Shi...ners_Pre_Fab_Buildings_ET&hash=item3a81afb241

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

http://www.approvedstoragecontainer...mpanies.aspx?gclid=CIOv2-WRyLcCFTMRtAodKh8ArA

Above may also be useful.

 

[Wavecrest Ltd]

We have some contacts in the second hand container market. If you'd like to DM details of where the containers would need to be delivered we may be able to help.

Glen

 

[tinselworm]

Thank you so much for the replies regarding this! Completely forgotten I'd left this message here. We decided against it in the end. Although I would add that even on a quantity of 30 units we were struggling to negotiate a price below £1,000 per container which seems INCREDIBLY steep to me bearing in mind we've negotiated a similar price for just 2 containers previously. We use a few different shipping handlers who all "asked their contacts" and came back with a rough price of £1,000.
Something tells me we're probably approaching the wrong end of the food chain.

 

[WHARTY]

Thank you so much for the replies regarding this! Completely forgotten I'd left this message here. We decided against it in the end. Although I would add that even on a quantity of 30 units we were struggling to negotiate a price below £1,000 per container which seems INCREDIBLY steep to me bearing in mind we've negotiated a similar price for just 2 containers previously. We use a few different shipping handlers who all "asked their contacts" and came back with a rough price of £1,000.
Something tells me we're probably approaching the wrong end of the food chain.

I think thats a pretty good price to be honest, were they new 20ft containers?

You would get £25 a week for a 20ft container. You would make your money back in a year. Would you mind sharing who the supplier was?

Thanks.

 

[tinselworm]

Aww bugger, wrote a nice long reply then pressed the back button

Yeah £25 per week is pretty standard for budget storage right? That's what we based our maths on. We've shelved the idea for now though as the space is being used for pallets right now .... lots and lots and lots of pallets.

The price of £1,000 per container came from Century Containers in Hull and is based on a bulk purchase of 30-40 decommisioned 20ft shipping containers. It doesn't include lock box or repainting.
To fit a lock box £35 each
To paint any colour of your choice £285 each
Transport with a hiab £285 per container

We've dealt with Century before and they generally deliver quality used stuff. Inevitably it's a bit bashed but it's completely water tight and a lick of paint always detracts from the surface damage.

£1,000 is as low as they would go though. They claim they don't make a lot of money on 20ft containers ... not sure what "not a lot" is though. I would take a stab in the dark and guess they're buying at around £700-£800 depending on condition.

Personally, if you're after a large quantity of containers like this then my recommendation would be to try going straight to the source. This would have been my next step.
On a quantity of 30-40 units you have the buying power to circumvent the resellers like Century and approach the shipping companies or leasing companies (whoever owns the containers). What I don't know is how these things are sold (by private auction or negotiated price ...probably both) or who is selling them.

People will tell you it's not possible but I would ignore them

 

[WHARTY]

Aww bugger, wrote a nice long reply then pressed the back button

Yeah £25 per week is pretty standard for budget storage right? That's what we based our maths on. We've shelved the idea for now though as the space is being used for pallets right now .... lots and lots and lots of pallets.

The price of £1,000 per container came from Century Containers in Hull and is based on a bulk purchase of 30-40 decommisioned 20ft shipping containers. It doesn't include lock box or repainting.
To fit a lock box £35 each
To paint any colour of your choice £285 each
Transport with a hiab £285 per container

We've dealt with Century before and they generally deliver quality used stuff. Inevitably it's a bit bashed but it's completely water tight and a lick of paint always detracts from the surface damage.

£1,000 is as low as they would go though. They claim they don't make a lot of money on 20ft containers ... not sure what "not a lot" is though. I would take a stab in the dark and guess they're buying at around £700-£800 depending on condition.

Personally, if you're after a large quantity of containers like this then my recommendation would be to try going straight to the source. This would have been my next step.
On a quantity of 30-40 units you have the buying power to circumvent the resellers like Century and approach the shipping companies or leasing companies (whoever owns the containers). What I don't know is how these things are sold (by private auction or negotiated price ...probably both) or who is selling them.

People will tell you it's not possible but I would ignore them

Ok thanks. I used a place recently that had all new containers. The whole place looked nice and i have to admit new containers would be my choice.

Would imagine they would cost a couple of thousand though.

 

[tinselworm]

Yep 2 grand is spot on. Nice new containers would probably attract a bit more custom and reduce maintenance costs too. Although people using storage containers like these are probably a little less fussy than your typical Big Yellow storage customer (just my opinion). Having used container storage in the past it's mostly tradespeople that use them.

 

[Barretts-Selfstorage]

We operate a self storage company using shipping and the cost to purchase one trip units are around £2k plus vat.

Second hand prices do vary a lot - we have seen some containers over 30 years old sell for over £1200 on EBay.

 

[tinselworm]

We operate a self storage company using shipping and the cost to purchase one trip units are around £2k plus vat.

Second hand prices do vary a lot - we have seen some containers over 30 years old sell for over £1200 on EBay.

Wow 2k? I didn't know companies were selling them off after one trip.

We have about 6 20ft containers that we're about to put up for sale. All water tight and with lock boxes. No idea on age to be honest but I was going to ask around £1,200 - £1,500 for them.

 

[WHARTY]

We operate a self storage company using shipping and the cost to purchase one trip units are around £2k plus vat.

Second hand prices do vary a lot - we have seen some containers over 30 years old sell for over £1200 on EBay.

Hi, thanks that's good to know. 2k sounds like a decent price for a one trip.
Can i ask who the majority of your customers are? builders, home movers etc?

When buying containers, is there anything to be aware of? i was looking at China and the prices seem pretty good.

On the container i used, they had a foam that they sprayed on the roof, do you know what it could be? i am assuming it stops condensation?

How many containers do you have and are they occupied the majority of the year?

Sorry for all the questions!

 

[WHARTY]

Wow 2k? I didn't know companies were selling them off after one trip.

We have about 6 20ft containers that we're about to put up for sale. All water tight and with lock boxes. No idea on age to be honest but I was going to ask around £1,200 - £1,500 for them.

That's how it works. You buy from China but rather than bring it over empty, you fill it and make a bit of cash!

 

[tinselworm]

That's how it works. You buy from China but rather than bring it over empty, you fill it and make a bit of cash!

Makes sense I'll bear that in mind next time we're looking for containers!
What kind of prices were you finding for containers out in China?

 

[WHARTY]

Makes sense I'll bear that in mind next time we're looking for containers!
What kind of prices were you finding for containers out in China?

The quotes i got (around 3 years ago) were for around 1500-2000 US dollars. Not sure what they are now. Just had a quick look on Alibaba and they are around 2000-2500 US dollars. I am sure if you ordered enough you could knock them down though.

 

[Billiebox]

I understand you may have decided against the idea of buying containers, however, just to let you know I sell them across the uk. The price is governed by what the world economy is doing and the location they/you are in.
I wrote an article about it recently, see my news pages at billiebox.co.uk
It might help.

If you would like a quote then please do let me know your telephone number and I will call you. Please can you let me know the location you would like them delivered to.

Hope this helps
Kind regards
Jane
0800 121 7388