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When you are getting ready to move into your first home or apartment, one of the things you need to do is get some boxes for packing your possessions. Moving boxes are available in many places. When looking for where to get moving boxes, most people prefer to get them for free if they can. However, when you are pressed for time, it is sometimes easier to just pay for them rather than hunt for free boxes.
There are some excellent companies you can pay and they will give you sturdy, quality moving boxes. Let’s look at the best options for purchasing your boxes.
What are the Places where You Can Purchase Boxes For Moving
- Amazon
One of the best resources to purchase boxes for moving is Amazon. While it’s the go-to option for many people when shopping, you might not think to get your moving boxes there. As one of the largest online retailers globally, they do carry many different types of moving boxes to help you.
Whatever type of box you need, like special boxes for packing TVs or wardrobe boxes for your clothes, Amazon offers many choices. You can easily make sure the box is right for your needs by checking the customer feedback, and prices should be competitive thanks to their marketplace.
If you only need a couple of boxes, it might not be the best option, however. Most of their listings are for moving kits of 20 or more cardboard boxes.
If you are already an Amazon member, this option will be desirable. It saves you from having to pay for shipping much of the time, and your boxes will be delivered to your door really fast.
- Walmart
While Walmart may carry a huge product range to meet most people’s needs, that’s not all they do, as they also supply packing boxes. A good variety of moving boxes can be found both in stores and online.
If your question is “where can I find moving boxes near me?”, Walmart could be the right option. With almost 5,000 locations, Walmart is a great place to find moving boxes nearby.
You can order them online and pick them up at your local store, have them delivered, or simply visit your nearest Walmart to buy them on the day you need them. The downside with the traditional way of shopping at Walmart is, of course, that they might not have the exact boxes you need in stock, exactly when you need them.
Since many of their locations are open around the clock, this can be a great option if you realize you need more boxes or other packing materials on the day of your move.
- Home Depot
Perhaps one of your first choices if you are undertaking a DIY project, Home Depot offers more than just items to help with home improvements. They provide customers with a good selection of boxes for moving, with clear box dimensions so that you purchase the right packaging for your stuff.
Their online ordering facility shows stock numbers in your local Home Depot, and they even give you packing and moving tips. If you don’t know how many boxes you need exactly, you can order kits that offer packing materials for different sizes of homes.
- Lowe’s
A similar choice to Home Depot, Lowe’s also sells moving materials along with DIY supplies. If you are packing to move some of your things into storage when embarking on a home improvement project, Lowe’s can be a convenient choice. You can buy the boxes along with lumber and power tools.
They allow you to order online and collect your boxes in-store. You can easily filter your product selections to show what is available in your nearest location. They offer a good variety of specialty boxes for your more delicate or difficult to pack possessions.
- U-Haul
Believe it or not, U-Haul is an excellent place to get moving boxes from. A business that might cross your mind when you are getting ready to move, U-Haul offers more than moving truck rentals. If you are going to use them for your move or live near one of their locations, this might be an ideal choice.
They provide a wide variety of box types, as well as kits to make sure you have enough packing materials for your move. Along with boxes, they also sell storage bags and things like moisture absorbers, which will be useful if you put items into storage.
You can purchase both online and at one of their storage facilities. You might find that some items are cheaper when collecting them from U-Haul instead of ordering them online.
Questions & Answers about your Moving Boxes
How many moving boxes will I need for my move?
Before you try to work out how many boxes will be required, you need to know how much stuff you have to move. Take an inventory of all the things you have, and use the information on an online moving box calculator to give you an idea.
You could also buy a kit for the number of rooms you need to pack. If you are trying to keep your costs down, check if you can return unused boxes to your supplier. You could also buy less than you think you need and purchase extra as required.
If you know in your heart you’re taking things to your apartment you don’t really need; you might want to consider donating to charity. You will be helping a good cause while removing clutter from your new rental.
Do I need other packing materials?
Boxes aren’t the only thing you are going to need if you hope to avoid breakages. You can use towels, linen and clothing to wrap items that could be damaged during the move. Bubble wrap is also a great option, along with styrofoam peanuts, to keep your possessions secure during your move.
You will also need packing tape, and a tape gun will really help if you have a lot of boxes to pack.
Are there free moving boxes near me?
While it will be more work, getting your hands on some free moving boxes could save you some money at an otherwise expensive time. You can ask at your local grocery store or other retail outlets to see if they have some free boxes available. Some of the more popular place to get free moving boxes include the following:
- Target
- Costco
- Petsmart
- Walgreens
- Office Depot
- Starbucks
- Sam’s Club
- Dollar Store
- Right-Aid
- BJ’s
- Best Buy
- Staples
- CVS
Checking online at sites like Craigslist or U-Haul’s Customer Connect service could help you find people locally who could lend you some suitable boxes.
What type of moving boxes should I buy?
For general items and things that aren’t fragile, standard moving boxes should be good enough. But if you have expensive items that could break, specialty boxes might be a better investment. Some folks like to purchase plastic moving boxes, given their durability.
Mirrors and framed artwork will need more protection when you move, and there are specialty boxes designed to prevent 7 years of bad luck. If you expect to put heavier items in your boxes, you will need to choose heavy-duty boxes so that they don’t break or tear on moving day.
There are also a few companies that offer reusable plastic boxes for rent. You can have the bins delivered to you, and the company will collect them when you have finished unpacking.
How can I save money on moving boxes?
You can reduce the number of cardboard boxes you need by using containers you will bring with you anyway. Fill up suitcases, plastic bins, garment bags and any other suitable containers to move your possessions.
What do I do with my moving boxes when I am done?
May folks wonder what they should do with the moving boxes when they have completed their move. The answer is not to throw them in the trash! Besides recycling them, there are quite a few other things you can do with your leftover moving boxes – Storage Cafe provides some tips for other moving box uses.
Final Thoughts on Buying Moving Boxes
While there are many places you can get free moving boxes from, buying them will be the quickest route to take. You can go into any of these stores and pretty much be assured you’ll be taking home some boxes with you.
Hopefully, you have found this guide on purchasing moving boxes to be useful. Best of luck with your move!
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Mihaela Buzec is a senior writer and online content developer for RentCafe. She covers topics about everything related to the renting lifestyle, from decorating and interior design to finding the right apartment, frugal living, money saving advice, and more. She dives deep into topics of interest, writing well-researched comprehensive guides on subjects such as renting with pets, saving on utilities, or avoiding rental scams to help renters stay informed and live smart.
Mihaela holds a BA in English and German Language and Literature, an MA in Current Linguistics, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in neurolinguistics.
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