PrimeMarketplace

Scam Shield

Buy with confidence. Every dealer on Prime Marketplace is verified, and every purchase is backed by our Scam Shield buyer-protection program.

The Scam-Shield Storage System, extended to every certified dealer

Scam Shield started at Prime Container as a five-part promise to buyers — built to make buying feel safe in a market full of fly-by-night sellers and bait-and-switch dealers who send great photos and ship a different container. The marketplace makes it the bar every certified dealer commits to.

  • 1.Scam-Shield Quote Check — run any competing quote through our checklist (BBB status, payment terms, photo authenticity) before you commit
  • 2.Site Fit & Placement Plan — text photos of your driveway or yard; we mark where the truck can land within local rules and HOA limits
  • 3.No-Surprise Condition Guarantee — if it shows up materially worse than the pre-shipment photos, refuse delivery and pay nothing. Stops bait-and-switch cold.
  • 4.Container Care Kit — warranty, maintenance guide, and first-year checklist
  • 5.Storage Rent Payoff Snapshot — if you're paying storage rent now, the break-even math against owning

And you still pay the driver on delivery — after walking around the container.

How It Works

Our multi-layered approach ensures every transaction is backed by verification, documentation, and platform-level protection.

Step 1

Dealer Verification

Every dealer undergoes identity verification and business license checks, and commits to our listing, photo, and condition-grading standards, before receiving Scam Shield status.

Step 2

Photo Documentation

Listing photos may be representative of the grade. Before shipping, your dealer photographs your actual container from multiple angles — interior and exterior — so you see the specific unit, not a stock photo.

Step 3

Condition Inspection

Dealers grade every container against our 5-tier rubric and document the unit before it ships. The real check is on your driveway: the grade you see is the grade you get on delivery — or you refuse it and pay nothing.

Step 4

Dispute Resolution

If a delivered container doesn't match the pre-shipment photos or its listed condition grade, refuse it on delivery and you pay nothing. The dealer's warranty covers leak-free integrity and grade-specified condition, and we step in to mediate and document the dispute.

Step 5

Standardized Grading

Our 5-tier condition grading system — from One Trip to As-Is — gives you a clear, consistent way to compare containers across different dealers.

Our Condition Grading System

Every container is graded on a standardized 5-tier scale, so you always know exactly what you're getting.

Best
Value
One Trip
Cargo Worthy+
Cargo Worthy
Wind & Water Tight
As-Is

One Trip Condition

Factory-new, single international voyage. Minimal cosmetic wear.

Best
Value
One Trip
Cargo Worthy+
Cargo Worthy
Wind & Water Tight
As-Is

Cargo Worthy+ Condition

Used IICL grade — kept to a stricter repair standard than Cargo Worthy. Longer expected service life; visible patches and repainted sections where repairs were made.

Best
Value
One Trip
Cargo Worthy+
Cargo Worthy
Wind & Water Tight
As-Is

Cargo Worthy Condition

Certified seaworthy by licensed inspector. Will show normal wear — surface rust and dents.

Best
Value
One Trip
Cargo Worthy+
Cargo Worthy
Wind & Water Tight
As-Is

Wind & Water Tight Condition

Sealed against weather. Suitable for storage. Shows significant cosmetic wear.

Best
Value
One Trip
Cargo Worthy+
Cargo Worthy
Wind & Water Tight
As-Is

As-Is Condition

Sold in current condition. May have structural issues. Inspect before purchase.

What the Badges Mean

Scam Shield Certified

The highest level of trust. This dealer has completed full Prime Certified verification — identity and business confirmed — and grades its inventory to match our condition rubric. Disputes are mediated by Prime.

Scam Shield Verified

This listing has been verified by the Prime Marketplace. The dealer's identity and business have been confirmed. Verified dealers are working toward full Prime Certified status.

Ready to Buy with Confidence?

Browse our marketplace of verified containers, backed by the Scam Shield program. No account required to start looking.