I want to purchase 2-4 ocean cargo containers (40 ft). I've found the cheapest I can find (prices are going up!!! due to demand) but have to buy 5+ of the 40ft for discount on the container AND shipping (shipping is the hardest to get cheap). I myself am not really interested in the 20ft, but supplier also has a number of these, also at reasonable prices. Must order 10+ to get the discounts on those. I'm moving them from Texas to Oklahoma (McAlester area).

If you are in the OK, MO, AR, or northern TX area, and are interested in possibly getting one or more of these to "add on" to my shipment email me directly at xbenjaminx@bigfoot.com.

I can get them to McAlester, but you would have to move them from there. Nice part is that I have an extra lot to store them if you need time to move one or more. Maybe you have a friend with a flatbed, or can rent a truck? Sadly, I don't.

These containers are great (waterproof, etc.) and very versatile for use, from storage to foundation construction (my uses).

Right now (prices may change with demand) if I order the minimum of 5+ for 40ft, or 10+ for 20ft, I can get:

20ft $1800 (delivery included to McAlester, OK) 40ft $2200 (delivery included to McAlester, OK)

This is $50 off the cost of the 20ft (not shipping), and $200 off the cost of the 40ft (see why I'm looking for buddies?) (not including the shipping). This combination cost and shipping price is about $500 off the best of the other quotes I've gotten, and one supplier was in Dallas!!! (He didn't have many, and wanted more for each).

The shipping cost was the cheapest I've found ANYWHERE because the supplier will contract a number of trucks and will get a discount. Apparently, they also want to move some of the containers.

If you're not familiar with their usefulness, do a search from one of the engines to find some of the uses. Disneyland stacked several hundred up to make a big screen for the premier showing of Pocahontas. People put the 20ft ones in their back yards as "storage sheds" or whatever. They can be modified easily into an office, workshop, garage, you name it.

I want to use the 40ft ones as a building foundation (combination instant basement). They have a 30lb square foot weight distribution!!! Less trouble and weight than most of the foundations I've looked at, and waterproof (and most other stuff) at that.

To get these prices I have to order at least 5 of the 40ft. I'm trying to justify more than two ... I personally don't need the 20ft, but would add to the order for those who are, just to get the shipping rate. Shipment is by truck because I couldn't find a cheaper way to do it by rail.

If you want more info, email me.

Thanks

-- mb - texas (xbenjaminx@bigfoot.com), February 22, 2002

Answers

What's the name of the company and where in Texas are they located?

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), February 22, 2002.

I passed up 2 20' for free last week. Shipping costs might negate it but they're considerably cheaper around Los Angeles. There are miles of them at the port there. I'll check and see if you're interested. Also just had a friend leave here the other day with just one car on his hotshot trailer empty all the way to Waco, coulda put one of them on it if I knew they were that much in demand.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), February 23, 2002.

Yes, very interested UNFORTUNATELY we would need FOB JAX CANAVERAL ST PETE...anyone who has any info on this area let me know...

Or if you guys want to come on down to FL for a visit, let me know :^)

-- BC (katnip364@aol.com), February 23, 2002.

About containers:

1. Yes, they are very useful. If you live in an area with building, etc., codes, though, better check them out beforehand...

2. "Prices going up"? I highly doubt it. The USofA is a goods- importing nation, and most of these goods are brought in using these containers. Every day the nation receives thousands more than we ship out. Cargo ships will return to China, Japan, etc., withempt containers ONLY SO LONG as the cost of humping them back across the sea and their resale cost here in the US even out...and with more being brought over all the time, the price inexorably drops.

3. There are 20-footers, 24-footers, 24-foot stainless interiors, 40- footers, 40-foot hi-cubes, and 48-footers. Here are the dimensions of the three most common ones (LxWxH exterior)

20' x 8' x 8'6" 40' x 8' x 8'6" 40' x 8' x 9'6" (hi-cube)

3. Your contact mentioned that you could get a discount on delivery of multiple containers. But was he willing to deliver them to more than one site for the price he mentioned? That seems extremely unlikely.

4. You should buy a container only after you have inspected it for yourself - just like an auto, or home. Remember, you're spending $2,000 or so for a heavy piece of metal. Things to look for include (by my list of descending importance): 1. integrity of body 2. condition of door seal 3. functionality of door closures 4. condition of interior floor 5. condition of exterior floor 6. internal fittings 7. validity of transport stamp

Among other things, here are a few non-inclusive tips: For #1: A fresh paint job can hide a multiplicity of flaws. Take care. For #2: Have someone close you in when there is bright daylight. You should see absolutely no light at all. For #3: Is it easy - but not too easy, to open AND close? Latches and hinges? Lockability? For #4. Look for splintering and also for evidence of spills. There is the theoretical possiblity some godawful chemical was transported, spilled and soaked into the floor: not the kind of addition I'd want to MY house... For #5. This is tough. Pretty impossible until the jobber lifts up the container and lets you look from below. For #6. This is of most interest for those who are considering using a shipping container as a.....shipping container. Containers will have various bars, hooks, rings inside them for ease of securing tems. For #7. If you're going to transport something (ie, the container, empty or full), a jobber needs to be satisfied the container isn't going to split apart and create an unholy mess. All containers have certificates on their lower left door. Check yours out.

As the respondent from the LA area noted, there are lots around LA/Long Beach. This also is true at every one of the nation's major ports: Seattle - Houston - New Orl. - Miami - Richmond - Newark/NY - Boston - etc. And prices there are really really cheap.

-- Audie (paxtours@alaska.net), February 23, 2002.

Here are answers to some of the questions above.

* The name of company and where in Texas. - I can give anyone a LIST of names (my collection from over three weeks of active searching online, in phone books, and numerous phone calls long distance and local and Hours of my Time). I've also been looking at them and talking to people for almost a year, collecting names and info, off and on. I think you could probably collect your own and find as much on your own. I don't mean to be rude, but I don't want to lose the containers I CAN get. Anyone interested will pay the supplier directly (not me). The total bill just has to equal the total invoice, and ALL containers must be shipped to the same location. I'm just offering. I will pay the extra for the ones I want or keep looking if I have to.

* To the person in L.A. area ... I'm DEFINITELY interested in supply and anyone trucking who may have an empty load that would carry one or more back over as much time as needed. Initially I tried that route but the freight forwarding biz is out of my realm. Please email me (anyone) who may have a supply to my local area. As I said, cost of container is not my problem as much as moving them. It adds up fast. Some of the port terminals even charge up to $100 just to put them on a truck!

* I don't know anything about FOB. I ran into that term in my searches. Some would take it, some not. That would vary with who and why they are being sold I think. I can't answer this one.

* To Audie ... I don't have a prob with building codes myself, and there are FEWER probs with these than any others. They create entire office and mini storage areas with these.

"Prices going up" ... You BET they are. I started planning to buy mine over a year ago and have WATCHED. Also, I've been reading the industry trends and articles. Prices are going up for a number of reasons, but a big one in this area is because so many private individuals are buying them. Therefore, people are literally starting businesses buying them up and selling them. One reason I've had problems now with the same suppliers who told me six months ago they would have no problem getting them for me. Actually, there are different kinds, etc. as well as sizes. I specifically want inexpensive 40ft ones (no options). You can get modified ones (in numerous ways), and that costs but are still excellent compared to building something.

You mention the different sizes. Most COMMON are 20 and 40 foot. However, they stack 'em, join em together, and do almost anything with them.

I never said I could get them delivered to different sites. I thought I CLEARLY indicated that the reason I can get a discount on the shipping is because ALL would go to the same location (in McAlester). I only have to commit to my 5+ for a discount. With the same order, he'll do the 10+ of the 20 foot only because in my own search I ran into others (individuals AND suppliers) looking for them. I was hoping to bring the order down a bit more if I go to the trouble of added shipments, but don't know. Based on what I've found out, this was a good deal for me. If you have better, don't imply it. Give specifics (see the request for supplier above) or use it yourself.

Last point is true. I'll be inspecting my own before I buy, but anyone interested would have to talk to the person themselves or get photos (I may be able to do online over email). I'll also comment ... I'm expecting flaws in my own. I can get repairs done, or modifications. I obviously don't want junk metal, but I don't need an ocean-worthy container either. You should look around and know what you are buying before you put out cash. This supplier is an established business in a port town about 3-4 hours drive from me. Even so, as usual, buyer beware. Also beware that these can and sometimes get damaged in transit.

I'm offline a lot this weekend but will follow the post and emails as much as I can.

Keep in touch.

-- mb - texas (xbenjaminx@bigfoot.com), February 23, 2002.

just to let you,any flatbed trucking co. in your area would be glad to hear from you should you have any coming out of CA. Sometimes trucks sit for days in Los Angles area due to shortage of flarbed freight coming out of CA.Lots of trucks come back mt, and you could probly work a deal with one to bring back containers for you so they don't have to dead-head back.Good luck.You can also have them shipped by rail, could be a little cheaper!

-- Tim (goathillfarm50@aol.com), February 23, 2002.

Thanks for the advice about the local truckers. I'm going to check OK and maybe Dallas companies in the area for that. Hadn't thought of concentrating on LA.

I tried the rail route because I used that for some other things before. Ouch. Not cheaper for this size item because you have to arrange local stuff on each end and there the prices bring it all up. I might be better off doing all of this from McAlester/Eufaula instead of distance too. I can also rent a transporter for a month, which I thought of. Where I live, truckers park their cabs down the road when they aren't hauling. But problem there is getting someone dependable who will actually DO it (follow thru). When you aren't a part of the 'industry' you can end up with nothing unless all details are understood and arranged before you begin (or put out the cash). I've learned some past lessons the hard way.

I have time, will keep working at it. Have learned a lot anyway, though it doesn't keep me from wanting to do the ridiculous.

-- mb - texas (xbenjaminx@bigfoot.com), February 23, 2002.

mb,

I don't mean to be rude, but that price seems high compared with the prices I've heard lately. (We've been considering a container purchase as well.) From Houston, a friend of ours ia able to purchase the 40 foot containers in the $1,200 to $1,500 range, and sometimes (Just last week) they show up as low as $500. Keep in mind, these are used containers- are yours new? And if so, have you considered purchasing used?

Just my 2 cents,

-- Kristin, in La. (sevenstonestile@earthlink.net), February 23, 2002.

Post is not rude. If you know someone who can get one for $500 I'm definitely interested. Two Houston companies I called (at the port) quoted me $1700 on used ones (plus cost to put on truck and NOT including shipping). In all my calls and followups, I found NONE for $1200, even with purchase of 4+, and even for rough condition. I've tried to shop one supplier for all in the shipment (saves shipping cost), but I was repeatedly quoted $850-$1200 (each) from Houston area to OK for moving any. Note that I am only looking at 40 foot for myself; the 20 foot were being sought by others I was questioning. Six months ago, when I started serious shopping, I was finding them also for less than $1000, with only concern getting it there reasonably priced. Now, when I went to buy from those contacts, price and costs went up considerably. I have yet to speak to any real supplier (other than the one I found and posted about) willing to give the product for the price. Most containers can be cleaned up and repaired, so I'm flexible on condition, but I don't want to follow any more 'leads' on what doesn't really exist. This is now set aside for me for another few weeks.

-- mb - texas (xbenjaminx@bigfoot.com), February 23, 2002.

PS: That $850-$1200 was for shipping, not the container. Cheapest container price I've gotten other than the post was for $1500 and that was only for 1 (I need at least 2) and shipping was the highest.

-- mb - texas (xbenjaminx@bigfoot.com), February 23, 2002.

I bought a shipping container a few years ago out of Dallas. Without looking at the paper work I beleive I spent around $2000 delivered. It has been great, I call it my basement since I don't have one. Full of tools, farm junk, furniture, you name it. Just don't put anything that will melt, they can get like an oven. In the summers in Tx. I open the doors in the day and shut at night. I might be interested in another but it wouldn't be untill after summer. Have to dig up the old paper work to see who sold me mine. John

-- john in N. Texas (farmerjohn@dellepro.com), February 25, 2002.

mb- Have you called the Port of Catoosa? There is a port north of Tulsa Oklahoma. You might try, Tulsa is a lot closer than Dallas or Houston. The port is one of Oklahoma's biggest secrets.

-- KLankford (kolankford@aol.com), February 27, 2002.