Packing Boxes

I've been in the process of packing for an upcoming move from Maine to Arizona, and I've been getting boxes from Wally world and Home Depot, Lowes boxes are more expensive. Bubble wrap and foam peanuts from Amazon. Staples has odd shaped boxes for special items.

I weigh everything from a standpoint of "do I really want to haul this across the country" and have made countless trips to the dump and good will.

I had every issue of American Handgunner going back to number one,
plus others gun mags. I put them in boxes and took them to the clubhouse at the local range. I'd rather give stuff away then mess around trying to sell it, it's not worth the time and effort for what I would get out of it!
 
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There's plenty of places to buy boxes but the best ones are FREE . If you have the luxury of time you shouldn't have any problem collecting enough from various stores , etc. Just ask the Manager and he/she will probably be happy to give you some . Less work for them . I see the local grocery store restocking all the time and there are piles of empty boxes that they have to break down .
 
The last time we moved, I obtained all the boxes I needed from my local landfill/waste management drop-off sites. The separation of waste included dropping off broken down boxes in one of their buildings. It was the same building where you took your general paper products, including tons of National Geographic magazines that way too many people keep. You could take all you wanted for free. Check this option out.
 
Yard sales...estate sales...an endeavor wherein people actually pay you to haul off your trash. If you go with PODS, you will feel obligated to unpack all that stuff into your new house, thus kicking the can down the road. My suggestion is renting a dumpster instead, load it and forget it.
 
Liquor stores usually have strong boxes...:)...Ben
The local liquor superstores usually have empty boxes in abundance. And they are made of very heavy cardboard. However they are mainly medium sized only. Even the small liquor stores will usually have a few empty boxes.
 
Most libraries refuse donations of books/papers/magazines due to the risk of introducing mold or insects to their entire collection. Attempt to yard sell the or rent a dumpster to pitch them and any other unwanted items in.
Most libraries today won't accept anything paper. They don't want books or magazines, many have gone digital.
 
If you are willing to take used boxes, check with the local Relators' and see who is moving into the neighborhood.
Talk to the new owners since they will have a ton of them that they used to move into the new digs. Many will thank you for taking them away for free.
 
Count me as another person to suggest Uline. When I moved several years ago I ordered about 75 or so 12"x12"x12" boxes plus a half dozen rolls of tape and some bubble wrap to be used to pack dishes and glassware. They delivered a half pallet right to my garage door. You'd be surprised at how much will fit in a 12x12x12 box and they aren't too big or heavy when full. Well, unless they are full of books like some of mine were. Make sure to buy a couple of felt tip markers and write the contents on all four sides.

I also bought a hand truck from Harbor Freight. On moving day I told the moving crew to put any furniture in the new house in whatever rooms I directed them to, and put all boxes in the garage. Then each day I moved the boxes into the house that had the critical items inside and eventually got everything unpacked.

Once done, I flattened all the boxes and put an ad on Craigslist for "free moving boxes, come and get 'em" and within a couple of days a young couple came with their pickup truck and took the whole lot. Otherwise I would have had to take them to the dump.
 
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Remember books go in book cartons because book cartons are small boxes because books are heavy.
The book cartons at U-haul are a little too big, thus too heavy for my 67 year old back.
I donated lots of reading material, including National Geographic Magazine, to my local Veterans Hospital. Call ahead for people to be available to unload your vehicle. also some of their campuses are quite large with many numbered buildings.
Also donated new in package underwear and socks from when my older brother dies.
They have also accepted videos and dvd's.
 
Book boxes from the big box stores are slightly smaller and thinner than moving company boxes.

Grear suggestion to ask local realtors about folks who have just moved in. Most people end up with lots of boxes they are willing to give away to get rid of them.

I would be surprised if anyone will take your National Geographics. I tossed about 20 years' worth during one of kur moves. I bought the DVD set with every issue from when Jesus was a carpenter to about 2015.




Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760
 
We save all our Chewy boxes. They're strong. We're slowly in the process of getting (stuff) packed away. UHaul sells special boxes for flat screen TVs and Computers, but I'm sure they can be bought for less than $20 apiece. Good luck in your move.
Oh, yeah, I know of a house in Pittsburgh that will be on the market hopefully in '24, should you change your destination.
 
Someone mentioned Craigslist. I have seen empty moving boxes advertised for free there many times. You Haul and truck rental places like that also sell moving boxes.
 
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Probably already thought of, but several felt tip pens to label content of boxes or what room they go in.

We moved the contents of several houses into this one. No one thought to label boxes-or all the boxes :( No, I wasn't the one who packed the stuff the wife brought from her parents.
 
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