Expert Moving Companies Offer Advice For Finding Reliable Boxes When Packing

Moving can be expensive, especially when you have to pay to hook up utilities at your new home, spend for a down payment, and set aside the first and last month’s rent. To help ease the cost of moving, our expert movers have some low-cost suggestions for where to find moving boxes. Moving companies will always recommend using boxes that are sturdy and can hold a lot of weight. Below are the top places for finding quality moving boxes at a low cost or for free.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores often have an abundance of boxes that wind up being flattened and recycled if they aren’t being used. Ask at the courtesy counter when you’re looking for boxes; if they don’t have any on hand, try the produce department.

The produce department will have some of the best boxes for moving. Apple and banana boxes are designed to hold a lot of weight, have lids and handles, and stack easily for efficient packing and moving. Even better, produce boxes are free!

The grocery store shouldn’t charge you for boxes that were headed for the recycling bin. To make sure you don’t waste your time going around to different stores, try calling ahead first so they can set some boxes aside for you.

Liquor Stores

Like grocery stores, liquor stores have plenty of sturdy boxes that usually end up being recycled. Boxes from liquor stores tend to be smaller than those from grocery stores, so they’re best suited for moving smaller fragile items, like vases or glasses. Once again, call ahead to reserve some boxes. The liquor stores shouldn’t charge you for boxes either.

Book Stores

Book stores also have plenty of boxes designed to hold the heavy weight of their contents. These boxes are also destined for recycling, so they shouldn’t cost you a dime. If you have a lot of books to pack, book store boxes are a bonus to have.

Online

Online personal ad sites can be a great way to find used moving boxes for a low price or for free. When you go to pick up the boxes, meet in a public place, bring a friend, or give your friend the address and name of the person you are meeting. Try these websites when you’re looking for used items locally:

The better the boxes, the easier it will be for movers and moving companies to move your belongings. Remember, though: just because you need boxes doesn’t mean you should have to pay hand over fist—or at all—for them!