As many military families know, relocating is just inherent to the profession and renting storage for your personal items is just par for the course. For retired Veteran Will Dorry, it’s a bit of a touchy subject, “I rented storage for 20 years...I could have bought a small plot of land instead.”

Truth is, Will never would have left his Minnesota storage facility if earlier this summer he wasn’t asked to vacate his storage unit in a week due to a renovation and new ownership. He had been living abroad for some time and the letter notifying me of the change at the facility somehow got lost. "I literally had to move my possessions in seven days.” Dorry adds.

Will Dorry makes up the nearly 38% of people in the U.S. who utilize offsite storage for their personal belongings. Many individuals turn to offsite storage solutions for various reasons, such as downsizing, decluttering, or safeguarding valuable items. Containers provide a secure, weather-resistant, and flexible option, allowing people to store seasonal decorations, furniture, or even business inventory with ease. With the rise of portable storage units, users can conveniently load their belongings at home before having them transported to a storage facility, offering both accessibility and peace of mind.

Used Shipping Containers Provide Affordable & Secure Alternative To Traditional Units

Desperate to find a new home for his personal belongs and cars, he flew back from Okinawa, Japan, to pack and begin his search for a more affordable option. Committed to purchasing a container, instead of continuing to rent, he went online for a 40ft high cube. After selecting a container supplier, picking a size, and scheduling the pickup, he was told he had to pay by Wire Transfer.

“I was in the middle of flying back to the country, trying to coordinate the move and got this weird feeling about this company which said they didn’t accept credit cards as a payment. I decided to do some research on a government site and was alerted this was a sign of a scam.” Dorry noted.

“Then I found Eveon Containers, read through their Trustpilot reviews, studied your payment options and safely purchased two 40’ HC containers in Chicago and Minnesota.”

In an industry susceptible to fraud, it is paramount to exercise due diligence when making online purchases, regardless of their scale. Mr. Dorry, who dedicated his entire career to logistics and engineering in the Army, regrettably found himself on the verge of falling victim to a scam involving thousands of dollars.

Avoid Falling Prey to Online Scammers

Before buying a used shipping container, research the industry thoroughly to avoid scams and overpriced deals. Verify sellers’ credibility and inspect the container's condition to ensure you're working with a NPSA registered business, avoid buying on marketplace and Craigslist. Buying a shipping container online can be tricky, especially with scammers lurking. Here are six signs that you may be dealing with a scammer:

- Unrealistically Low Prices: If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers lure buyers with massive discounts, way below market rates. Always compare prices with reputable sellers.

- No Physical Address or Fake Business Info: A legitimate business should have a physical address, a working phone number, and a website. Scammers often use fake or stolen business names. Always Google the company name + "scam" before purchasing.

- Pressure to Pay via Untraceable Methods: Be cautious if they only accept wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These payment methods are hard to trace, and once sent, your money is gone. Use credit cards or PayPal, which offer buyer protection.

- Fake or Stolen Photos: Scammers often use stock photos or stolen images from other websites.. Do a reverse image search on Google to see if the same images appear on multiple sites.

- Poor Communication & Vague Details: If they avoid specific questions, have broken English, or respond with generic answers, be wary. A reputable company will provide clear details and customer support.

- Trust Your Gut: If your driver is asking for additional charges, money for extra tolls, or you are being told your container will be more money after you paid, be suspicious and start doing some additional research.

We are lucky that Mr. Dorry found Eveon Containers, but some aren’t so fortunate to catch the scam before they pay. To learn more about ways to avoid being scammed when purchasing online visit the US Fair Trade Commission or visit the National Portable Storage Association for a list of reputable container suppliers near you.

To purchase a used 20 foot or 40 foot shipping container from a company you can trust with nearly 1300 Trustpilot Reviews Online search through our inventory below, enter a zip and instantly recieve a quote.