When you’re looking to save money during a move, the moving boxes and supplies are often a popular target.  Then there’s the eternal struggle between price and quality.  A lot of people believe there is no middle ground to achieve in this battle.  Of course, if that’s true, then no one would ever be fully satisfied with their moving boxes and supplies.  As far as we’re concerned, this would be flat out unacceptable…

Buying Used Boxes for Moving

A lot of people explore the used moving boxes route, figuring its a great way to save money on some gently used moving boxes.  The key word there is “gently.”  When was the last time you participated in a move that included gentle treatment of the boxes?  The fact is, even slight creases or dents in moving boxes seriously compromises their strength and reliability.  This means the used moving boxes could really let you down when you need them the most.

Wholesale Pricing on Moving Boxes

Probably the only other moving box pricing comparable to used boxes is wholesale.  If you’re not completely familiar with the term, it basically means cutting out a bunch of the middlemen and overhead to deliver unbeatable savings to the customer.  With a quick perusal of the online vendors listed at the top of our homepage, you’ll quickly find great deals like wholesale pricing, free shipping, etc.  Just click here and you’ll never think about unreliable used moving boxes again.

For a lot of people, the prospect of saving big money on used packing boxes is too strong to resist.  Sort of like scoring a hardly used recliner on the curb, the idea of getting what seems like a great deal for so little money makes you feel pretty smart…at first.  Of course, by the time you get that recliner home, you realize it’s covered in cat hair and vaguely smells of something you’d rather not identify.  The same is often true of used packing boxes…too good to be true.  Let’s talk about the 3 main scary things about these boxes:

1. Cheap Packing Boxes – We talk about this all the time, only because it keeps happening to people.  The whole point of using boxes and protective supplies like bubble wrap is to protect the contents inside.  So why cut corners and go with cheaply made or used packing boxes?  You’ve seen what your boxes look like after a move, would you trust them again?
2. Durable Boxes and Supplies for Packing – You want your boxes and supplies to be strong, or else you may as well skip it and packing your stuff in paper bags.  With used packing boxes, any creases or dents in the cardboard compromise the strength of the box, with a high likelihood of failure.
3. Affordable Boxes for Packing – The scariest thing about used packing boxes is that you can get high quality boxes and supplies from reputable vendors for the same price.  It’s ok, you can go back and read that again to make sure you read it right.  It’s true, check out the vendors highlighted on our homepage (click here) to see the beautiful truth.

So, your move has come and gone and everything actually went pretty well.  You’ve even got most of your boxes unpacked and almost everything is put away.  Now what do you do with your extra moving boxes and supplies?  It certainly seems wasteful to just throw away the supplies and put the boxes out with the recycling.  But is it really worth the effort to research alternatives?  Lucky for you, we’ve assembled some information that may help you solve this post-move riddle…

1. Craigslist

Craigslist has exploded in popularity in recent years.  While most people use the site to sell things, you could certainly list free used boxes if you so desire.  Of course, no one ever said used moving boxes are worthless, so feel free to try to get something for them.  You could also include any remaining useful moving supplies, like bubble wrap or packing peanuts.

2. Boxcycle

Sites like Boxcycle allow those with used moving boxes to connect with those who need used moving boxes.  A few minutes is all it takes to find out if anyone is in need of boxes in your area.  This will remove the hassle of breaking down all your boxes and putting them out for recycling or keeping them in a pile in your basement.

3. Recycling Center

If you do decide to simply recycle your used moving boxes, keep in mind that it may not be an easy task.  Some communities will not pick up large quantities of cardboard at the curb.  This means you will be responsible for transporting your boxes to the neighborhood recycling center.

4. Household Uses

Last but not least, used moving boxes do still have some potential inside a new house.  Maybe you have a furniture delivery coming up and you want to protect your carpets.  How about some cardboard rugs for a few hours?  Or, maybe your window treatments aren’t ordered yet, but you don’t want the new neighbors to get a front row view into your bathroom.  Cardboard makes a dandy temporary window shade.

These and other helpful tips can be found with simple online searches.  Congratulations on your successful move!