Beware Of Cowboys
Friday, 19th February 2010
When buying steel shipping containers it is worth considering some of the following points before making your purchase .
The first and most important factor is to consider who you are purchasing the container from. Some of the more unscrupulous traders on the market will buy equipment which is in poor condition and then pass the container straight on to the customer without inspecting it or making good any damages. Once the unit has been sold any complaints often fall on deaf ears. It is all too often that we hear of companies making a fast buck this way over the course of the year, then ceasing trading and simply opening up under a different name. The best way to avoid this unfortunate situation is to find out how long the company has been trading for. If they have been trading for more than ten years then you know that the source has been in the industry for a long time and should have a good reputation and track record.
Another problem with containers for sale can be when companies offer very cheap boxes. Whilst we all like a bargain and want to know we are getting a good deal if it sounds too good to be true it often is. These “very cheap” units are sometimes highly corroded, and the repair quality will be low. This can mean that instead of removing the corroded or effected area of damage and welding a corten steel patch in its place they will cover the area with a product called ‘flash band’. This thin metallic adhesive tape should only be used as a temporary repair as it will start to peel off after a couple of months. Another problem is the strength of this as a person can quite easily stick a pen through it as it is that weak. Some of the more unscrupulous traders will also stick this tape over holes and splits then paint over it trying to hide the work. The best way to resolve this problem is to ask if the container has been repaired to IICL or cargoworthy standards.
Some other problems with new or small traders is that often they will be simply trading someone else’s stock. The trader will never actually see the containers, at best only an estimate of the damage and even then will not get any repairs carried out to save money, putting out a poor quality product.
The best way to ensure that you will be buying good quality and properly maintained equipment is to buy direct from a shipping container storage and repair depot. These depots will know the correct way to carry out repairs, and that they are checked by fully qualified surveyors who will ensure that all repairs have been done to an international standard.
For the ultimate peace of mind ask to visit the sellers stock and pick the best box for yourself. Reputable container companies will only be too happy for you to visit their depot and inspect their sale stocks.