Stop! Read This Before Buying Boxes and Packing Supplies
You can’t expect to move without having plenty of boxes and packing supplies on hand. From plates and silverware to clothes, books, electronics, everything should be boxed (with the exception of furniture). This will make it easier to transport and haul your belonging to your new home destination, saving you time and energy on the day of your move.
If you’ve ever shopped for packing supplies, however, you’re probably well aware of just how expensive this stuff is. An ordinary medium-sized cardboard box, for instance, sells for roughly $1-$2, and that doesn’t factor in the cost of tape, bubble wrap or packing paper. The cost of packing supplies alone can quickly eat through a person’s allocated “moving budget.” Thankfully, there are some little-known ways to acquire packing supplies for free.
Rent Your Boxes
If you hire us to move you, we’ll rent you all the boxes you need. You pay a small fee per box up front and then we’ll buy them back for the same price when you’re all done moving. We’ll even bring them to you and come pick them up.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores are an excellent source of free boxes. They receive dozens of shipments on a weekly basis, and nine out of ten times, they simply compress their used boxes down and ship them off to a recycling facility.
Head over to some of the grocery stores in your area and politely ask an employee if they have any extra boxes they are willing to get rid of. Most places will gladly give them to you because it means less work for them.
Furniture Stores
Another source of free packing supplies is furniture stores. The great thing about furniture stores is that you’ll usually find bubble wrap and packing paper stuffed into the boxes, which can prove useful when packing your belonging for a move. Politely ask the manager if they have any boxes or packing supplies. Even if they say no, they may tell you a time and date to come back.
Craigslist
You might be surprised to learn that Craigslist can be used to find free boxes and packing supplies. Go under the “free stuff” section and search for “boxes.” Depending on where you live, you’ll probably find dozens of recent postings from people who are willing to give away their boxes for free. And if you’re lucky, you can also find free bubble wrap, tape and other packing supplies on Craigslist as well.
Liquor Stores
Beer, wine and spirits must be shipped with the utmost of care; therefore, liquor stores tend to have an excess of bubble wrap and boxes on hand. Take a stroll around the liquor stores in your area and ask the owners if they have any extra. Some places will automatically place their extra boxes in front of their store for the general public to take. OF course, you should always ask for permission before taking any boxes or supplies.
Our team of moving professionals are here to help. We specialize in making your move as stress-free as possible and we would love to help with your next move. Get a free online moving quote today.
Read more posts about preparing to move here.
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