It's an ugly corner of our industry: fake container sellers running polished websites and marketplace ads, taking deposits for containers that don't exist. We hear from their victims regularly — often after they've lost $2,000–$4,000. Here's how the scams work and how to not be next.
A website or Facebook/Gumtree ad offers containers at 30–50% below market — say, a 20ft for $1,200 delivered. The "seller" is responsive and professional. They send an invoice, take your deposit (or full payment, always by bank transfer), and then the delivery date slips… and slips… and then the phone number dies. The website vanishes and reappears under a new name a month later.
A price well below everyone else. Containers are a commodity with a known market price — nobody legitimate is 40% cheaper. Check current ranges in our price guide. Bank transfer only, upfront. No card payments, no pay-on-delivery option. No physical address — or an address that turns out to be a vacant lot or virtual office when you check it on street view. Stock photos only. They can't send photos of your actual unit with its container number visible, because it doesn't exist. A brand-new domain. Scam sites are typically weeks old — a free WHOIS lookup shows the registration date. No landline or 1300 number, just a mobile and a webform.
Look up the ABN at abr.business.gov.au and confirm the entity name matches the invoice. Search the business name plus "scam" or "review". Ask for photos of the actual container showing its serial number, then ask a question about those photos — scammers fumble details. Ask to inspect or collect from the depot; a real yard says yes, a scammer has a reason you can't. Pay by card if you can, and never pay 100% upfront by transfer to a seller you haven't verified.
Outback Containers is 100% Australian owned, with a real depot at 1 Albert St, Victoria Point QLD, a 1300 number answered by actual humans (1300 235 972), and photos of your actual unit before you pay. Verify all of it — we'd rather you check everyone, including us. An industry with fewer scam victims is better for every honest operator in it.
Real-world price ranges for new and used containers, what moves the market, and how to make sure you're comparing quotes properly.
The honest breakdown of when a used container is the smart money — and the situations where new is worth every dollar.
Access widths, ground prep and truck types — everything to sort before delivery day so your container lands exactly where you want it.
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a straight price — container plus delivery to your site, no surprises.
*During business hours. After hours, first thing next morning.