How to Get Free or Cheap Moving Boxes
You called your Gainesville moving company and made arrangements to get your possessions across town.
Before you plan on purchasing packaging materials, you should try to acquire a few free boxes on your own. You would be surprised how many places would be willing to give you their boxes for free.
Unless you want to pay for supplies out of your own pocket, you should contact local coffeehouses, fast food joints and liquor stores. These establishments receive deliveries at least twice a week and usually end up having to break down and throw away their boxes.
If your boss receives deliveries regularly, ask him or her whether you could take home any of the discarded boxes. He or she might not be aware you are moving and would be glad to help if you are a good employee.
Of course, you may have to go dumpster diving if your boss forgets to put aside the boxes for you. If you decide to go this route, you could also search for other boxes the neighboring offices might have thrown out.
Also check with the recycling center in your area. Because the boxes are going to be reused anyway, the facility should have no problem loaning a few boxes to help movers pack up their property.
This next tip may go without saying, but do not forget to ask friends and family if they have any boxes you could borrow. They can also help you scavenge and keep an eye out for any free boxes they come across.
Bookstores receive large quantities of shipments on a weekly basis. The trick is to contact the bookstore manage a few weeks before the big day. Make sure you are present and punctual when the manager tells you to stop by, regardless of what time of the day it is.
Bookstores, as well as any of the other types of businesses you contact, receive shipments early in the morning or late at night. The manager may also simply prefer you come during these times in order to avoid disrupting normal business hours.
If you ever paid close attention to those big department stores like Walmart, you will notice that they carry large amounts of merchandise that must also be delivered in boxes.
The more boxes you can get the better so if you strike out at Walmart, the grocery stores are always a great standby to ensure that you have everything packed and ready when the movers get there.
