1. Agreement

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) are a binding contract between you (“you”) and Riley Ventures LLC, d/b/a Acme Studio, d/b/a Containers Direct(“Containers Direct,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By using containers.direct, requesting a quote, or purchasing a container or service from us, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the site or buy from us.

2. Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and able to enter into a binding contract. If you purchase on behalf of a business, you represent that you have authority to bind that business, which will also be bound by these Terms.

3. Quotes vs orders

Pricing displayed on containers.direct is an indication only and is not a binding offer. A binding contract is formed only when (a) we send you a written quote specific to your delivery ZIP and container, (b) you accept that quote in writing, and (c) we confirm the order and receive payment or a signed purchase order.

Quotes are typically valid for 3 days unless they say otherwise. Availability is never guaranteed until payment clears and the container is allocated to you at the depot. If the specific container listed on your quote becomes unavailable before payment, we will offer a comparable substitute at the same price or refund you in full.

4. Pricing, taxes, and fees

Unless your quote says otherwise, prices shown on product pages and in your cart are in U.S. dollars for the container and standard tilt-bed delivery to the address we quoted. They do not include sales or use tax, card processing fees, permits or HOA fees, obstructions such as trees or wires that require special equipment, wait time beyond the first 60 minutes on site, return trips caused by access issues, crane or lift service when requested, or site preparation.

At checkout, after you enter your delivery address and payment method, we calculate applicable sales tax and any card processing fee (2.5% on container plus delivery when you pay by credit or debit card). Bank transfer, Affirm, and Klarna are not charged that processing fee. Your final total is shown before you complete payment.

If something changes after we issue the quote (for example, the delivery address changes, or the site requires a tilt-bed truck we weren’t told about), we will send you a revised quote and you can approve or cancel before we incur further costs.

5. Payment

We accept payment via Stripe (card or bank), wire transfer, ACH, and approved net-terms for qualified business buyers. Orders are not released for delivery until cleared funds are received. Credit and debit card payments include a 2.5% processing fee on the container and delivery subtotal. Bank transfer and buy-now-pay-later options (Affirm, Klarna) do not include that fee. A returned payment fee of $35 applies to any failed ACH or bounced check, plus any third-party fees we incur.

Instant purchase and stock confirmation. When you buy a container directly on containers.direct, Stripe charges your payment method at checkout. We then confirm depot stock and a delivery window and email you a written confirmation within one (1) U.S. business day. If we cannot confirm stock for the container you purchased, we will either (a) offer a comparable substitute at the same price with your approval, or (b) issue a full refund to your original payment method within three (3) business days. You are not charged any additional fee if we cannot fulfill your order.

6. Delivery and site access

You are responsible for (a) ensuring the delivery site is legal, accessible, and safe for a tilt-bed truck or crane of the size we quoted; (b) all permits, zoning approvals, HOA approvals, and utility locates; (c) a clear, level placement area with adequate approach and swing room; and (d) an adult representative on site during the delivery window.

Estimated timing. Estimated delivery dates are estimates only and are not guaranteed arrival dates. After we acquire and lock your container at the depot (usually within one (1) U.S. business day of payment), delivery typically occurs within five to seven (5–7) business days for metro ZIPs, and may take up to fifteen (15) business days for rural, long-haul, or hard-access destinations. Factors that affect timing include trucking availability, weather, DOT regulations, equipment availability, rural or hard access, depot scheduling, mechanical issues, and your timely reply on site details. Delivery outside an estimated timeframe, when still within or reasonably related to this window, does not constitute breach of contract and is not grounds for cancellation or refund. Rural or hard-access ZIPs can take up to 15 business days. That window covers depot lock, your reply on site details, and lining up a specialized tilt-bed hauler. Delivery dates are estimates; delay within the stated window is not grounds for cancellation or refund.

Rural and hard-access deliveries. Deliveries to rural, remote, undeveloped, or difficult-to-access locations may require specialized trucking equipment and limited carrier availability. Additional scheduling time may be required. Once a carrier is dispatched, delivery crews cannot be changed solely based on customer preference, personality conflict, communication style, or subjective opinions about how the delivery is being performed.

Driver safety and placement. Delivery drivers have sole discretion regarding safe placement of the container. If a driver determines that conditions are unsafe, including soft ground, slope, overhead obstructions, narrow access, mud, snow, standing water, unstable surfaces, or other hazards, delivery may be postponed or refused. If the driver determines the site is unsafe or inaccessible, or if no one is on site to accept delivery, the container will be returned to the depot or held, and you will be responsible for resulting redelivery, storage, and dry-run fees. We will contact you and attempt to reschedule once the site is ready.

Delivery personnel. Personality conflicts, disagreements with drivers, dissatisfaction with communication style, perceived near-misses without an actual refused delivery or documented carrier safety stop, or other subjective opinions regarding delivery personnel do not constitute grounds for cancellation, refund, replacement, free redelivery, or mandatory reassignment of carrier or crew.

Multi-unit orders are typically delivered one container per truck trip. Completing the full order may take longer than a single-unit order because each drop requires its own booking and site check.

7. Inspection and acceptance

You are strongly encouraged to inspect the container immediately upon delivery before the driver departs. Note any damage or grade discrepancy on the delivery receipt before the driver leaves. Photograph the container from all four sides, doors/seals, interior, floor, and roof (or underside of roof from inside) before the driver departs when safe to do so, and in all cases email those photos to chris@containers.direct within forty-eight (48) hours of delivery. Claims for damage, missing parts, or suspected grade failure not reported in writing with clear photographs within that 48-hour window are deemed waived. The container must not be moved, modified, repaired, painted, or altered before you document and report a claim. That window exists because we must file depot claims promptly; late photo sets usually cannot be recovered against the yard.

Acceptance. Acceptance occurs upon any of the following: (a) delivery is completed and the container is placed at the delivery address; (b) you sign a delivery receipt; (c) you unload, move, or begin using the container; or (d) forty-eight (48) hours pass after delivery without written notice and photographs as required above. Acceptance does not waive a timely, photo-backed grade claim under Section 11 that is properly filed within the 48-hour window.

8. Title and risk of loss

Title and risk of loss pass to you upon delivery to, and placement at, the address on your order, or when the container leaves the depot if you arranged your own transportation.

9. Container grades and condition

Containers are sold by grade, not by cosmetic perfection. Grade definitions are on the Grades page. Containers Directcurrently sells Used Wind & Watertight (WWT) and New / One-Trip containers online. Other grades below are industry reference terms you may see elsewhere:

Wind & Watertight (WWT): structurally sound, dry, and sealed, with cosmetic wear typical of ocean service. Our default used grade.
New / One-Trip: built overseas and shipped with one cargo load, factory paint, usually under a year old. Our default new grade.
Cargo Worthy (CW): certified by a qualified surveyor as fit for international shipping. Not currently sold by us.

Used shipping containers are industrial equipment that have been used in international cargo service. Cosmetic imperfections are normal and expected. This includes, without limitation: dents; scratches; surface rust; previous repairs; patches; fading paint; decals; residue from prior shipping labels; welded areas; floor wear; discoloration; door stiffness; and minor surface corrosion. These conditions do not constitute defects and are not grounds for rejection, replacement, cancellation, or refund.

Container grades are determined by the supplying depot using established industry standards, not by individual customer opinion. Product-page photos are representative of grade, not photographs of your specific assigned unit unless we say otherwise in writing.

10. Limited warranty

We warrant that at delivery the container will conform to the grade and description on your order, subject to the used-container expectations in Section 9 and the claim process in Section 11. If a timely, photo-backed claim results in a supplier determination that a grading error occurred, your sole and exclusive remedy is the corrective action described in Section 11. Except as stated in this Section and Section 11, we sell containers AS IS, WHERE IS, and disclaim all other warranties, express or implied, including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of implied warranties, so some of the above may not apply to you.

11. 30-day condition guarantee

What this covers. This guarantee covers confirmed material grade failures, not dissatisfaction with how used a used container looks. If you timely report (see Section 7) a suspected material difference from the grade or specification we sold you (for example: a unit sold as “wind and watertight” that leaks under normal weather, undisclosed structural damage, soft or rot-through floor that fails a walk test, a missing or invalid CSC plate on a unit sold as CSC-current, or a material grade mislabel), Containers Directmay submit a formal inspection request to the supplying depot. The supplier’s inspection determination shall be final as between you and us for purposes of grade disputes.

Sole remedy. If the supplier determines that a grading error occurred, your sole remedy shall be the corrective action approved by the supplier, which may include a partial refund, repair allowance, recommended repair, referral to a mobile repair provider, or other compensation determined by the supplier.Containers Direct cannot authorize compensation exceeding the amount approved by the supplier or its surveyor. We may, at our sole discretion, arrange or recommend on-site repair. Full refund after delivery is not a default remedy and is available only if we elect it in writing as a goodwill accommodation.

What this does not cover.This guarantee is a condition-and-grade remedy, not a post-delivery buyer’s remorse return policy and not a cosmetic refresh. It does not cover (i) changes of mind or project plans; (ii) surface rust, patina, faded paint, logos or overpainting, minor dents, scuffs, stained or worn floors, door stiffness, or other cosmetic wear disclosed in writing or inherent to Used Wind & Watertight (WWT) and similar used grades; (iii) aesthetic preferences or subjective opinions about appearance; (iv) delivery delays within the stated delivery window; (v) damage caused by the buyer, the buyer’s site, the buyer’s contractors, or any third party after the driver leaves the site; (vi) modifications or site work performed by anyone other than us; or (vii) any issue not reported in writing with photographs to chris@containers.direct within forty-eight (48) hours of delivery as required by Section 7.

How to make a claim. Email chris@containers.direct within forty-eight (48) hours of delivery with your order ID, a written description of the suspected material defect, and clear photographs or video (all four sides, doors/seals, interior, floor, and roof area), before the container is moved, modified, repaired, painted, or altered. We will respond within two (2) U.S. business days. Once a timely, photo-backed claim is opened, supplier review and any approved remedy are typically completed within thirty (30) days of delivery, subject to depot scheduling.

12. Refunds, cancellations, and returns

Sales are final except as expressly stated here. Shipping containers are custom-sourced, reserved, dispatched, and transported specifically for each customer. Once an order is placed and payment has been processed, it cannot be cancelled except as expressly provided in this Section. Containers Directdoes not offer refunds due to buyer’s remorse, changes in project plans, delivery delays within the stated delivery window, aesthetic preferences, subjective opinions regarding the appearance of used containers, or dissatisfaction with delivery personnel.

Before we acquire / confirm stock. If, within one (1) U.S. business day of your purchase, we cannot confirm depot stock for the container you bought, we will either (a) offer a comparable substitute at the same price with your approval, or (b) issue a full refund to your original payment method within three (3) business days. No restocking, freight, or cancellation fees apply when we cannot fulfill.

After acquisition or reservation. Once we have acquired, reserved, or allocated your container at the depot (typically within about forty-eight (48) hours of payment on business-day orders), cancellation is no longer available without cost. If Containers Direct agrees in writing to stop a shipment after acquisition or reservation, you are responsible for a mandatory depot restocking fee of at least $500, plus any transportation, dispatch, storage, dry-run, return freight, or administrative costs already incurred. Amounts above the minimum may apply when the depot or carrier assesses higher costs.

After dispatch / in transit. Once a container has been released from the depot onto a truck, cancellation (if we agree to attempt it) requires payment of outbound freight, dry-run fees, return freight, the minimum restocking fee above, and any other costs incurred. We may be unable to stop a truck already en route.

After delivery. No returns for change of mind. Grade and condition claims are handled only under Sections 7 and 11. Any partial refund or repair allowance after delivery is limited to the amount approved by the supplying depot or its surveyor.

Goodwill. Containers Direct reserves sole discretion to make goodwill accommodations in individual cases. Any such accommodation does not modify or waive this policy for future transactions and does not create a course of dealing.

How to request a cancellation or eligible refund. Email chris@containers.direct with your order reference and the reason. Eligible refunds are returned to the original payment method. If your original payment method is unavailable (for example, a closed account), we will issue the refund by check or ACH.

13. Payment disputes and chargebacks

You agree to contact Containers Direct first and provide a reasonable opportunity to resolve any concern before initiating a payment dispute, chargeback, or similar claim with your card issuer, bank, or financing provider. Filing a chargeback after accepting delivery while retaining possession of the container, or after failing to complete the inspection and claim process in Sections 7 and 11, may constitute breach of these Terms.

Containers Directreserves all legal rights to recover the value of the container, delivery and restocking costs, collection costs, and attorneys’ fees where permitted by law, and to submit delivery receipts, photographs, depot determinations, checkout acceptance records, and related evidence in response to any payment dispute.

14. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Containers Direct will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages, including lost profits, lost data, or business interruption, arising out of or related to these Terms, the site, or any container or service we provide. Our total aggregate liability for all claims relating to a given order will not exceed the greater of (a) the amount you paid us for that order, or (b) one thousand U.S. dollars ($1,000). Some jurisdictions do not allow certain limitations, so some of the above may not apply to you.

15. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Containers Direct, its affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claim, liability, loss, damage, cost, or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of (a) your breach of these Terms, (b) your misuse of a container, (c) your site preparation or permitting, and (d) your violation of any law or third-party right.

16. Intellectual property

The site, the brand, and all content we create are owned by Riley Ventures LLC or our licensors and are protected by U.S. and international intellectual-property laws. We grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the site for personal or internal business use. You may not copy, scrape, resell, or create derivative works without our prior written consent.

17. User content and reviews

If you submit a review, testimonial, photo, or other content to us, you grant us a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, fully paid, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and display that content in any media in connection with our marketing and operations. You represent that you own the content and that it does not violate any law or third-party right.

18. Email and SMS consent

By giving us your phone number, you consent to receive transactional and (if you opt in) marketing email, SMS, and iMessage from us and our service providers. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. We do not sell, rent, or share your mobile phone number with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes. Reply STOP to any marketing SMS to opt out, or HELP for help. Opting out of marketing does not affect order and delivery-related messages you need to receive to complete your order.

19. Dispute resolution and arbitration

Please read this section carefully. Except for (a) small-claims actions in a court of competent jurisdiction, (b) actions to enforce intellectual-property rights, and (c) actions for injunctive relief, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, your use of the site, or any order, will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by JAMS under its Streamlined Arbitration Rules, seated in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The arbitrator, and not any court, has exclusive authority to resolve threshold arbitrability questions. Judgment on the award may be entered in any court with jurisdiction.

You may opt out of this arbitration clause within 30 days of first agreeing to these Terms by emailing chris@containers.directwith the subject line “Arbitration Opt-Out” and your name, address, and order reference if any.

20. Class action waiver

You and Containers Directagree that any dispute will be brought in each party’s individual capacity and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, collective, or representative proceeding. The arbitrator may not consolidate claims and may not preside over any form of representative proceeding.

21. Governing law and venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, United States, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules. For any matter not subject to arbitration, the parties consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

22. Miscellaneous

Entire agreement. These Terms and our Privacy Policy are the entire agreement between you and us with respect to the subject matter.
Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, it will be modified to the minimum extent necessary and the rest will remain in effect.
No waiver. Our failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
Assignment. You may not assign these Terms. We may assign them, for example in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
Updates.We may update these Terms. If we make material changes, we will post the updated version and update the “last updated” date. Your continued use of the site or any order placed after the change constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
Force majeure. We are not liable for delays or failures caused by events outside our reasonable control, including weather, port strikes, carrier delays, fuel supply issues, acts of God, or government action.

23. Contact

Questions about these Terms: chris@containers.direct.

Riley Ventures LLC, d/b/a Acme Studio, d/b/a Containers Direct
c/o Acme Studio
Florida
United States