As soon as you think about moving, a lot of things probably come to mind. But before you can start, you have to consider every minute detail of the process. Moving has many parts, but no matter how small or big, how general or unique the situation, there is one thing for certain that you will need…boxes! It is not a bad idea to invest some money in sturdy and specialty boxes. However, if your budget is a concern, one area you can save some money on your move is to cut down on the prices for boxes. Here are few ways you can score some cheap or free boxes.
Online
One of the first places you want to check is online. Try Craigslist or Freecycle for free or cheap boxes. Many people give away their perfectly usable boxes for free. It is a great choice as it will keep the boxes out of landfills. We have moved many of our clients using used boxes and since they were really good boxes from the start, they held up even after several moves. If you are looking for boxes online, you will have to go pick them up or on rare occasions pay a little money but it is still worth it. You are going to get the boxes you need and help the environment in the process. If your boxes are still in good shape, you can resell them after your move. Either way, make sure to recycle them after your move.
Social Media
As we have learned in the past few years, social media can be a powerful tool to get the word out when you are looking for something. Post a request for boxes on your social media sites a few weeks prior to your move or as soon as you plan your move. With social media, you can reach out to not only to your network but to the networks of everyone you know. People can tag friends they think can help you or they can share your post. We have helped many of our friends out this way.
We pack, unpack and manage moves on a daily basis so we have been able to share one clients boxes with another client. In other cases, we knew someone who was ready to let go of boxes they had been holding onto and connected them through social media. But of course don’t forget your offline social circle as well. Make sure to tell your friends that you are moving and need boxes. Or if you live in a building with a bulletin board or doorman, post the message on the community board or ask the doorman. There are always people moving into the building as you are moving out.
Stores
Many stores have a surplus of boxes that come to them with merchandise deliveries. They are often more than happy to give you the boxes. Just keep in mind that some of these boxes might not be sturdy enough for moves since they were meant for transferring light items. Also, make sure to double check if they are taped well and re-tape them yourself if necessary. Here are some places that you can look for some really good and solid boxes; liquor stores, grocery stores, bookstores, coffee shops, home improvement stores, restaurants and bars. You can also check your U-Haul store. Many of them have a free box section where you can find some good boxes for free. U-haul also has a message board that will allow you to search for free boxes in your area.
We hope you can find free and usable boxes for your next move. Remember that once you are done with your move, you can recycle them. Every little thing we can do to conserve and recycle will have a positive impact on our planet and community. Best of luck on your next move and let us know if we can help you with your packing or unpacking project. You can also learn more about being prepared for your move with our “How 2” videos on our YouTube channel, M2O-TV, and from our blog posts.
