Unfortunately intermodal depots are busy places and most of the containers stacked up are being used for cargo. When you buy a used shipping container from our company, we act as a broker and source a container directly from global intermodal equipment providers.
For used containers we are unable to allow the customer to request their color, however we can offer beige and grey color options for One Trip containers. If you’re ordering multiple units, we can usually guarantee matching units (upon request, based on availability).
Because the containers are stacked at the intermodal depot, we cannot obtain photos or guarantee a specific unit. The depots are storing empty shipping containers for shipping lines and intermodal equipment providers. When we place an order for our customers, they pick the next container off the stack that meets their criteria.
The shipping containers we sell come directly from the intermodal depot, and because depots are so busy they don’t have the ability to let customers select from a wide variety of container options. Additionally, not every container in the stack is for sale (over 95% of containers at depots are not available for sale and are still being used for cargo).
Unfortunately, this means that we’re unable to allow customers to pick a specific container. We guarantee every container we sell, and do our best to set realistic expectations as to what your container might look like.
We take your online security seriously. All payment processing happens on secure third party sites like Stripe, Bread, or Shopify’s Payment Gateway (credit cards used in the Shopify portal are processed by Shopify Payments, which is powered by Stripe, and credit card payments for rentals are processed by Stripe). Western Container Sales uses these third party sites because they are industry leaders in eCommerce transactions. Stripe is trusted by companies like Pinterest and lyft for processing online payments.
Beyond the payment, our site is validated with the high level SSL encryption. Because all of our payment processing is managed by third parties, Western Container Sales doesn’t keep complete information regarding your credit card or payment method (only enough to identify your transaction). Our goal is to ensure a high level of transaction security for all of our customers.
The biggest issue with tough doors is an uneven door frame. If the ground underneath the door frame is uneven, or the container is loaded heavy to one side, or on a surface that causes it to bend or twist, the doors won’t open and close properly.
Container doors are built to be open and closed when the container is sitting squarely on a chassis. Over the course of 20′ or 40′, it’s possible for a container to twist just enough for the door frame to be out of whack.
Placing wood blocks under the door frame at the corner posts is the best way to solve that problem before it starts. You can also use an industrial lubricant on the hinges and work the doors back and forth for a few minutes to loosen them up.
The most important thing is to have enough room for the truck to drop the container. 20’ containers require 75’ of space (20’ for the box and 55’ for the truck), while 40’ containers require 120’ of space (40’ for the box and 80’ for the truck when full extended at delivery).
If a 20’ container is delivered on a semi (for instance if multiple 20’s are being delivered on the same truck) please account for the additional space.
If delivery is rejected due to the driver being unable to safely back into the location, the customer will be charged for trucking plus a re-stock fee of 15%, so please make sure you have adequate space at your location.
The location also needs to be level. You can either lay concrete or gravel, or you can place railroad ties or blocks capable of supporting the container. A good rule of thumb on railroad ties or blocks is to have on under each end and then additional blocks every 10’ or so (depending on your surface area).
A level surface is crucial to doors lining up, so blocks are a good idea to have in place. Western Container Sales does not provide blocks, so please make sure you have your site ready at delivery.
We offer volume discounts on a case by case business. Please provide us with details of the purchase and we are happy to offer a discount if available.
The most important thing is to have enough room for the truck to drop the container. 20’ containers require 75’ of space (20’ for the box and 55’ for the truck), while 40’ containers require 120’ of space (40’ for the box and 80’ for the truck when full extended at delivery).
If a 20’ container is delivered on a Ford F 350 with a tilt bed trailer (for instance if multiple 20’s are being delivered on the same truck) please account for the additional space.
If delivery is rejected due to the driver being unable to safely back into the location, the customer will be charged for trucking plus a re-stock fee of $350, so please make sure you have adequate space at your location.
The location also needs to be level. You can either lay concrete or gravel, or you can place railroad ties or blocks capable of supporting the container. A good rule of thumb on railroad ties or blocks is to have on under each end and then additional blocks every 10’ or so (depending on your surface area).
