If you are moving home or office you will incur costs that can skyrocket if you leave everything to the moving company. Budgeting usually demands that you try to reduce costs and one area where cost-reduction is definitely possible is moving boxes.
Some moving companies provide a few boxes for free but you will need more than just a few boxes. It is advisable that you ask the company how many and what types of boxes will come free and how you will have to pay for. Then spend some time in looking elsewhere for the additional boxes you will need. Compare what you will have to spend on boxes with how much the moving company has quoted; chances are you can get them much cheaper.
When looking for moving boxes you need to realize that you do not necessarily have to buy new boxes. Used boxes can also serve your purpose well if they are durable and intact. There are many sources of good quality, cheap (even free) used moving boxes.
The following are some of the common sources:
New neighbors: If you have a new neighbor, they may still have the moving boxes they used. Do them a favor and take the boxes off their hands. If you sense uneasiness on their part, offer a token price. Neighbors are not expected to charge market price for something they want to get rid of. To ease the neighbor’s discomfort, if any, you may also offer to return the boxes after use.
Wal-Mart: Wal-Mart will not give away boxes for free so visit them with a budget in mind. They sell a wide range of boxes at reasonable prices.
Other stores and supermarkets: Many stores and supermarkets sell large box products which they receive in top quality moving boxes. Liquor stores also receive such boxes. None of these stores return boxes to their suppliers and they want to dispose of them. Talk to them; some may give you the boxes for free or at a throwaway price.
Online sources: Hundreds, if not thousands, of moving companies and moving material suppliers have their own websites that provide information on their wares. It is impossible to list all of them, but a few recommended sites include:
www.craigslist.org: This network of online urban communities features free classified ads of a wide range of products and services in different cities. Click on the city or state you are in and look into the ‘for sale’ column as well as the ‘free’ link.
www.usedcardboardboxes.com: This is the website of Boomerang Boxes, a respected name in selling good quality used boxes. The great thing about Boomerang Boxes is that they will buy back boxes from you provided they are still in good shape.
www.ebay.com: Anything under the sun, new or used, sells on eBay. Delivery will be to your doorstep, but make sure to look at the seller’s history and comments from past buyers before sending you payment.
www.google.com/products or www.froogle.com: Use keywords like ‘moving boxes’ or ‘corrugated boxes’ and choices will open up. Froogle also enables you to filter your search results on the basis of price range.
www.moversdirectory.com: MoversDirectory.com is a source of contact-details of companies providing moving services. Try this portal to get to websites of box providers. Many moving companies buy boxes and other shipping materials from suppliers listed in moversdirectory.com and sell them to customers at a premium. You can buy your boxes directly from the source and save.
Food Box Warning
If you are getting boxes from food stores or using used boxes that carried food in the past, there is a chance that the boxes contain insect eggs and roaches. Even if you do not see any insect in the boxes when you get them, you can have a couple of unwanted guests by the time the boxes reach your destination. You can spray an insecticide into to the boxes before you start packing, but be prepared for odor on the items packed inside the boxes. Avoid packing kitchenware in boxes sprayed with insecticide because it can be dangerous.
