Sources for Moving Boxes?
Question:
I am getting ready to move and need to buy moving boxes. The only place I can think of to buy them is U-Haul and the storage warehouse. Am I overlooking anyplace, especially any place that might offer just as good boxes better prices?
Answer:
I just go to the grocery store and ask one of the stock boys on the night crew to save me egg boxes and any other good ones he comes across. I pick them up the next morning. Usually works fine. Try the liquor store. I got many car loads of boxes from there when I moved. They are on the small side usually. That turned out to be good for heavy stuff, but not so good for clothes. I went to a few around here and each of them basically expected people to come in to get the boxes, so it must be popular to get them there. One store had a section in the front with the empty boxes with a "free boxes" sign so you didn't even need to ask for them - they were just there for the taking. I also went dumpster hunting in the local office buildings and strip malls and found some bigger boxes there. Try the liquor store. I got many car loads of boxes from there when I moved. They are on the small side usually. That turned out to be good for heavy stuff, but not so good for clothes. Try the moving company! Lots of times they deliver property, but have to go back later to pick up the boxes after the people have unpacked them a few days after the move. It costs them money to go back to pick up and remove the boxes, they may be willing to give you the address if you pick them up instead. How about free? I've always just collected cartons from the loading dock areas of stores like Target and KMart, big drugstores and supermarkets, liquor stores, etc. Also I borrow file storage boxes from my office. The material that's actually worth buying at the storage warehouse? Bubble wrap. And packing foam. Doesn't get smudges and gunk all over your dishes like newspaper does, and it's much easier to use too. I went through a phase of having to move a lot (every year or two). I bought good boxes from U-Haul. After each move I broke them down and stored them flat in the attic or a walk-in closet. The advantage to buying them is that they are better quality and stand up to a lot of wear and tear. They're easier to stack then miscellaneous sizes, too. Even if you don't plan to move again for a long time, you could be a blessing to someone else by giving them away (or selling them at half price).
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