Looking to buy shipping containers and wondering how to get the best bang for your buck? You might want to consider a wholesaler.
A wholesaler is any business that sells goods in large quantities at low prices, typically – but not necessarily exclusively – to retailers. However, some wholesalers also sell directly to end users, whether other businesses or consumers.
Purchasing shipping containers wholesale, in particular, can be beneficial for a variety of businesses and industries, from shipping and construction companies to agriculture, disaster relief, and even event management. That’s because the lower prices offered by these wholesalers can allow buyers to avoid markups from resellers and get more value for their money, especially if they choose to buy in bulk. It’s part of the reason it’s so critical to buy from a shipping container company you trust; many companies purchase shipping containers from wholesalers before reselling the same goods to their customers for a profit. If you can buy direct from the source to save money, why wouldn’t you?
But the benefits of buying shipping containers wholesale don’t stop there.
What is a Shipping Container Wholesaler?
A shipping container wholesaler is a company that buys in bulk directly from the steamship lines to sell to their customers. Wholesalers typically sell 20ft & 40 ft. Standard and High Cube shipping containers in addition to specialty containers such as Double Door, Open Top, Open Side, and Flat Rack.
Benefits of Purchasing Shipping Containers Wholesale
1. Discounted Price
Purchasing shipping containers wholesale is often much more cost-effective because wholesalers typically provide a multi-unit discount for bulk orders, saving customers money. These discounts tend to be based on the number of containers purchased.
Depending on the wholesale shipping container, there may be minimums on the number of containers purchased to receive a discount, such as orders of 5 or 10 containers. When you find a shipping container provider you trust, simply ask the experienced representative to determine whether your purchase qualifies for their wholesale discount.
2. Convenience
Working with a shipping container wholesaler can streamline the purchase process, particularly when buying in bulk. Instead of making multiple individual transactions with a retailer for each container, you can place a single bulk order with a wholesaler, saving time and effort.
What’s more, wholesalers are accustomed to dealing with large orders, making them well-equipped to handle the logistics and shipping aspects most efficiently. They are no strangers to arranging transportation for multiple containers, which might be more challenging for suppliers who typically sell only one or two containers at a time.
Lastly, a reputable shipping container wholesaler will typically offer a range of container sizes and types, to cater to different needs. Learn more about how to buy shipping containers.
3. Consistency & Quality
No matter how you plan to use the shipping containers you purchase, working with a wholesaler can ensure a level of consistency in quality and specifications. That’s partly because wholesalers often maintain consistent quality standards across their entire inventory, which is both logistically advantageous and simply helpful for your own peace of mind when buying.
This is even more helpful if you think you may have a need to purchase more shipping containers down the road.
4. Better Relationships & Expert Advice
Wholesalers are no strangers to building lasting relationships in a way resellers often are not. That’s because the nature of a shipping container wholesalers’ business often leads to establishing long-term relationships for consistent partnerships, whether with other businesses or individuals. Working with a wholesaler, you can establish a reliable relationship with someone who can meet your container needs again and again.
This is key for business scalability if that’s a priority for you. But it’s also important for any future customer support or questions you may have during or after the purchase process. Wholesalers are well-versed in the shipping container market and can provide valuable advice and insights based on that experience. They can help you choose the right containers for your specific requirements or even answer any questions you have about shipping container maintenance.
5. Additional Services
Wholesalers may also provide additional services such as shipping container modifications, customization, or refurbishment. This can include walk-in doors, windows, skylights, adding ventilation, heating/air conditioning, insulation, or even converting the container into a specific structure.
Ready to purchase a shipping container? Reach out today to get a quote from the best in the industry!
How to Buy a Shipping Container Wholesale
So you’ve decided that buying shipping containers wholesale is the best route for your needs. Awesome! Here’s what to expect from the process:
Step 1: Assess your needs.
As we mentioned, shipping container wholesalers typically provide a wide variety of options to choose from. So before you dive in, think through your needs and what size and type of container will likely be most helpful. Here are a few things to consider:
- New vs. used: The decision to buy a new or used shipping container depends on your budget, intended usage, and priorities. New containers will be free of wear-and-tear and have a longer lifespan, making them more suitable for long-term use. However, they are more expensive. Used containers are more cost-effective, eco-friendly, and may be more suitable for short-term needs or storage purposes, although you can typically find used containers in a variety of conditions.
- Sizes: Two of the most common shipping container sizes are 20ft and 40ft. For extra large cargo, 40ft new high cubes may be more suitable. Learn more about shipping container dimensions.
- Special types: There are nearly endless options for shipping container uses, and certain applications will be better suited for specialized container types. For example, transporting oversized cargo may require an open top container, while repurposing the shipping container to build a bar or restaurant may call for a double door container.
And don’t forget: if you feel overwhelmed, write down what you know you need and move on to step 2. Any reputable company can provide expert guidance.
Step 2: Research where to buy shipping containers wholesale.
Even if you save money buying from a wholesaler, shipping containers are still an investment. Working with a trusted and reliable supplier ensures that you receive expert guidance, high-quality containers, and avoid hidden costs or scams.
When conducting your research, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check reviews, both overall ratings and specific customer feedback.
- Talk with someone who can answer all your questions professionally and offer you references of past customers who have purchased from them.
- Peruse the types of containers they offer. Does it seem like they have a wide variety of container types and sizes available?
- Inquire about the buying and delivery process.
- Ask where they get their containers from to avoid purchasing from a reseller (who upcharges) rather than a wholesaler.
Container Sales Group buys shipping containers direct from the steamship lines to offer our customers the highest quality container at the most competitive prices. We work with everyone from F500 companies, nationwide construction firms, universities and schools, builders, individual homeowners, and International Freight Forwarders. Give us a call to learn more! 708 734-4094
Step 3: Evaluate pricing
Once you’re working with a wholesaler you trust, everything else should be pretty easy as they guide you through the process. As you talk through pricing, however, keep in mind that a variety of factors can influence shipping container costs, from the size of your order to location and market.
Want a more in-depth look at the purchase process? Learn more about how to buy shipping containers with this handy guide from the experts at Container Sales Group.
How to Get Started
Buying shipping containers from a wholesaler can be an incredible cost- and timer-saver, particularly if you find a wholesaler you trust to guide you through the process and ensure you walk away with containers that meet the needs of your project.
Container Sales Group is a Women-Owned Wholesaler. Since 1998, we continue to offer bulk discounts, competitive pricing, and quality shipping containers anywhere throughout the United States. We pride ourselves on maintaining the best customer service in this industry.
Ready to get started or interested in learning more? Here are a few next steps:
- Get a quote online
- Call 708 734-4094 to inquire about our containers or talk to us about your needs
- Learn more about our container offerings.
- Check out our locations around the U.S.
