It is critical to keep on top of all of your expenses when importing and exporting cargo using shipping containers. The more it costs you, then the less profit there is to be made. There are ways that you can save yourself both time and money when you are looking to hire a shipping container, but you will need to do some research to find yourself the best possible deal that you can.
Everybody would like to save money, but you will also have to make sure that there is no compromise on quality, as this could end up costing you much more in the long run. You will need to work out the size of shipping container that you are going to require and make sure that the container is not going to be overloaded.
Getting the Best Quality Shipping Container
We have all seen shipping containers, which all pretty much look the same. There are many companies like Port Containers USA which sell shipping containers. You just need to look for the best.
They differ in length, but their width and height tend to be the same all over the world. This allows shipping containers to be easily moved at any port around the world. Although most shipping containers look the same, they are not all built to the same quality. If you hire a shipping container which is in a state of disrepair, then you run the risk of your load getting damaged whilst in transit.
A reputable company will service each and every shipping container before they hire them out and deliver them to the customer, so this is something you will need to ask when talking to different companies. You will need to make sure that there is no sign of corrosion in the steel framework, as well as checking all the fixing points inside of the container to make sure there is no corrosion there either.
Container vessels often encounter rough weather, so you need to secure your cargo properly to prevent it from moving. If the fastening points are corroded, then they could fail during transit, resulting in damaged cargo. Make sure that the vents and doors are weatherproof and that the wooden floor is solid and not rotten.
No Contract Hire Agreements
If you are looking for shipping containers, you should look for a company that will not tie you down with a contract. A lot of companies will offer weekly or monthly rental agreements, which means if you only use the shipping container for two days, you still pay for the full week or month.
There are companies that offer shipping containers for hire where you will pay a daily rate, which means as soon as you have finished with the shipping container and it has been collected, you stop paying for it. Finding a company that offers this type of rental agreement is a great way of saving yourself some money, when you are hiring a shipping container.
The Best Customer Service
The saying that you only get what you pay for is very true. Sometimes, you are best off spending just a little bit more money and making sure that you get the best possible product as well as also receive the best possible service. In your search for a reputable company to hire a shipping container from, you will notice distinct differences in the service that you receive from all of the companies that you make an enquiry with.
A good company will have a knowledgeable workforce that is happy to answer any questions that you may have in a timely and courteous manner. When you come across a company that is passionate about their products and it comes across when you communicate with them, then you know that you will have found the best company to use when you want to hire a shipping container.
Photo Credit: Daniel Ramirez / Flickr Creative Commons
