How to Buy Boxes for Packing

Estimate how many boxes you will need., Shop online for packing boxes., Buy boxes at an office supply store., See if packing boxes are available at a local self-storage facility., Buy boxes at another large retailer., Look for boxes on online...

6 Steps 2 min read Medium

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Estimate how many boxes you will need.

    When looking through your things, keep in mind the density of each type of item.

    Books are very dense, for example, and should be packed into small boxes to avoid weighing down the boxes.

    Bulky, less dense items like linens and pillows will need to be placed in larger boxes.

    After deciding on the appropriate box size for each item, you can get a rough idea of how many boxes you'll need.
  2. Step 2: Shop online for packing boxes.

    If you plan far enough ahead, this is one of the best options for buying cardboard boxes.

    Specialty packing and shipping retailers, such as Uline, sell boxes in innumerable shapes, sizes, and thicknesses.

    While there are usually minimum quantities specified by retailers like this, they are very low for an average move.

    One benefit of shopping online is that these retailers often offer moving kits.

    These kits consist of a large assortment of boxes specifically chosen to accommodate a move of a given size.

    Another benefit of buying boxes online is the ability to buy specially shaped boxes.

    Irregularly shaped or fragile items like floor lamps, guitars, and televisions can be packed into boxes specially designed to fit them well. , If you are buying boxes on shorter notice or need smaller quantities, you can purchase them at an office supply store.

    Most stores will have a sufficient variety of sizes to accommodate general packing needs, but you may not be able to purchase in large quantities.

    You can also easily purchase packing supplies like tape and padding at the same time. , Many self-storage companies will sell packing and moving supplies, including a variety of cardboard boxes.

    You can visit the facilities themselves or check the company's website for details. , If going to an office supply store or storage facility is not convenient, you can look for boxes at large, general merchandise retailers.

    Stores like Target and Walmart will have a limited selection of boxes that may meet your packing needs. , Websites like Craigslist and Freecycle are another good place to look for packing boxes.

    These sites will allow you to post your own "wanted" ad in addition to browsing for listings of cardboard boxes.

    While using these services will offer you the least amount of control over the size and quantity of boxes, they will generally be cheaper than other options.
  3. Step 3: Buy boxes at an office supply store.

  4. Step 4: See if packing boxes are available at a local self-storage facility.

  5. Step 5: Buy boxes at another large retailer.

  6. Step 6: Look for boxes on online classifieds sites.

Detailed Guide

When looking through your things, keep in mind the density of each type of item.

Books are very dense, for example, and should be packed into small boxes to avoid weighing down the boxes.

Bulky, less dense items like linens and pillows will need to be placed in larger boxes.

After deciding on the appropriate box size for each item, you can get a rough idea of how many boxes you'll need.

If you plan far enough ahead, this is one of the best options for buying cardboard boxes.

Specialty packing and shipping retailers, such as Uline, sell boxes in innumerable shapes, sizes, and thicknesses.

While there are usually minimum quantities specified by retailers like this, they are very low for an average move.

One benefit of shopping online is that these retailers often offer moving kits.

These kits consist of a large assortment of boxes specifically chosen to accommodate a move of a given size.

Another benefit of buying boxes online is the ability to buy specially shaped boxes.

Irregularly shaped or fragile items like floor lamps, guitars, and televisions can be packed into boxes specially designed to fit them well. , If you are buying boxes on shorter notice or need smaller quantities, you can purchase them at an office supply store.

Most stores will have a sufficient variety of sizes to accommodate general packing needs, but you may not be able to purchase in large quantities.

You can also easily purchase packing supplies like tape and padding at the same time. , Many self-storage companies will sell packing and moving supplies, including a variety of cardboard boxes.

You can visit the facilities themselves or check the company's website for details. , If going to an office supply store or storage facility is not convenient, you can look for boxes at large, general merchandise retailers.

Stores like Target and Walmart will have a limited selection of boxes that may meet your packing needs. , Websites like Craigslist and Freecycle are another good place to look for packing boxes.

These sites will allow you to post your own "wanted" ad in addition to browsing for listings of cardboard boxes.

While using these services will offer you the least amount of control over the size and quantity of boxes, they will generally be cheaper than other options.

About the Author

S

Sandra Gibson

Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in hobbies and beyond.

43 articles
View all articles

Rate This Guide

--
Loading...
5
0
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: