The comedian Jerry Seinfeld once remarked, “..when you’re moving, your whole world becomes boxes. That’s all you think about is boxes. Boxes, where are there boxes?…”
Does this sound familiar to you? Has the thought of moving made your world all about boxes? Do you stay up at night thinking about finding moving boxes, where to get cheap moving boxes, or even if you can snag free moving boxes somewhere?
Welcome to the wonderful world of boxes! In this guide, we’ll help you on your quest and show you where to buy moving boxes and where you might be able to pick up cheap or free moving boxes on the sly.
Where to Buy Moving Boxes
When you make the decision to move, your first big adventure will be setting out in search of boxes for moving. Even if you don’t feel like you have a lot of possessions, you might be surprised by just how many boxes you need.
Snagging cheap or free moving boxes is always a big win, but it can also take time and effort, and you can’t always be sure of success. If you’ve put off packing and need to get started pronto, your best bet is to buy moving boxes. Luckily, you have a few different options.
Local Self Storage Facilities
Where do a lot of people pack and store boxes? That’d be self-storage facilities. Unsurprisingly, most of these facilities sell all manner of packing supplies, including packing tape, packing paper, bubble wrap, and — yes — boxes for moving. Best of all, you don’t have to be a storage facility customer to purchase these materials. Just search for your nearest storage facility, check their hours, and stop on by.
Truck Rental Companies
Whether or not you plan to rent a moving truck, you can visit your local truck rental office and load up on moving supplies. Most of these companies include a small store where you can purchase boxes in various sizes.
Moving Companies
Are you planning to hire a moving company to assist you with your move? Most of these companies would be happy to sell you a range of moving supplies, including boxes. If you hire a moving company to also pack up your home, they’ll bring their own moving boxes and materials.
Every moving company is different. Some smaller outfits, for example, may not sell moving supplies. Larger moving and pod companies, on the other hand, may let you order moving boxes and other moving supplies right from their website.
How to Find Free Moving Boxes
Moving can be expensive, so there’s nothing better than getting your hands on free moving boxes. Many people and companies are willing to give away boxes after they’re done using them. You just have to be patient and know where to look.
Friends and Family
Before you start combing the area for boxes, check with family and friends to see if they have boxes or plastic containers that you can use. Hit up your family members, send out an SOS on your socials, or reach out to any friends or neighbors who have recently moved.
Grocery Stores
Check with the manager of your local grocery store. They usually have a wide selection of boxes from shipped produce and merchandise. They will often give away boxes for free. Just be aware that these boxes may be a little beat up, and you may have to sort to find the best boxes in the stash.
Liquor Stores
Liquor Stores usually have excellent heavy-duty boxes for shipping bottles that can work quite well for storing your breakables. Call or visit your local store and see if they would be willing to give you their extra boxes. As a thank you, consider buying a celebratory bottle of bubbles to drink after your successful move.
Online Listings
Still searching for free moving boxes? Don’t give up. Hop onto your neighborhood social group and search for free or cheap moving boxes. Many people don’t want to throw away perfectly good boxes after their move and will instead give them away for free or sell them at a steep discount. Be patient and check the listings regularly.
What to Consider When Choosing Moving Boxes
Whether you plan to buy your moving boxes or try to get them for cheap or free, it’s still important to consider exactly what kinds of boxes you need. Moving boxes come in lots of different sizes, are made from different materials, and may have special features. There is no one perfect moving box, but by choosing the right kinds of boxes, you make your move go much more smoothly.
Size and Weight Capacity
When you start searching for moving boxes, you’ll notice that they come in a variety of sizes, such as x-small, small, medium, large, and x-large. Most dedicated moving boxes will also include a weight limit. It’s a good idea to purchase boxes in a variety of sizes. That way, you can pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.
Always keep an eye on the weight capacity of each box. The last thing you want is for the box carrying your precious China set to give out during the move. If you aren’t sure about the weight capacity of your box, take a cautious approach.
Material
The most popular and widely used moving boxes are made of cardboard. Cardboard boxes are lightweight, affordable, and easy to assemble and store. However, that’s not your only option. You can also use plastic moving boxes. While plastic totes are more expensive than cardboard boxes, they are more durable than cardboard boxes and water-resistant. You can also use them multiple times, which may be useful if you move often.
Less-used materials include wooden crates and metal containers. These boxes are usually only used for moving specialty items.
Special Features
Many of today’s moving boxes include added features that can make the packing and moving process a little easier. These special features often increase the cost of the boxes, but many movers find the features well worth the slightly larger price tag.
- Built-in handles: Many boxes now come with pre-cut handles.
- Labeling areas: Many boxes now feature designated labeling areas, making it easier to mark and identify the contents of each box.
- Tie-down traps: Some boxes feature built-in tie-down straps or slits for securing items inside the box.
- Interlocking tops: These types of tops eliminate the need for packing tape.
- Specialty shapes: Some boxes are designed to hold specific items, such as wardrobe boxes, telescoping boxes, or boxes specifically for dishware.
Moving Made Easier
At Price Self Storage, we want to help make your move as efficient as possible. Whether or not you plan to store your possessions with us, we invite you to visit our nearest facility to purchase boxes for moving and other moving supplies at competitive prices. Contact us for any questions.
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