Free Boxes? (Rockwall, Center, Mart: buying, live in, stores)

[Southern_Yankee]

Hi everyone. My family is relocating to Buffalo next month... This is a last minute, quick decision and we are on a very tight Ramen-Noodle-every-night budget.

I'm wondering if anyone has moving boxes they'd like to get rid of? I've tried asking stores but no luck there and Craigslist hasn't been helpful either. Buying boxes isn't practical and it's not in our budget.

I'm not picky. As long as it can hold household items, it will work. I'm in need of small/med/large/wardrobe boxes. Anything really! If you have moving boxes you no longer need, please let me know. I'm desperate!

I would be happy to pickup at your house, or a mutual meeting spot. I live in Rockwall and will travel within reason.

Thank you so much!

[mSooner]

You can try stalking Wal-Mart around midnight

[js1mom]

I agree with mSooner--- they are glad to get rid of them so they don't have to break them down and they have oodles of them if you go after 11:30 pm when they start restocking (but don't go too late or they will already be breaking them down.)

[elan]

Liquor stores have great boxes. They are super strong, stack well, have handles and some even have removable partitions (great for glasses and other breakables). The liquor stores around me keep them stacked inside, so they are clean.

[Southern_Yankee]

Thanks y'all. I avoided Walmart because it seemed awkward-- who do I talk to, where do I go, what time, etc. I will definitely go around 11:30 and try to find out.

[mSooner]

I've had the most luck between 12am-1am. I just grab a cart and wander the store, asking the employees if it is okay if I take the boxes as they are unpacking. Sometimes they do say no, because they are required to return them, but most of the time it is okay.

[6am]

you mentioned craiglist hasn't been helpful but a quick search pulled up a bunch of listing giving out free boxes , just need a trip out there to haul them back . Free boxes

[Mr.Bungle]

I would go to an industrial area and see if there are any businesses involved with shipping and receiving product. See if they have any leftovers from incoming shipments.

I was lucky with my last move. There was a company throwing away 20 or so large computer boxes in our building so I took em. I used most of the padding from them as well.

I would also recommend asking the manager at a Guitar Center. Most of the products coming into the store from manufacturers are packed with outer boxes that eventually become trash. Just arrange a day at the end of the week or something and you'll probably get a lot of boxes in various sizes.

[5stones]

ask any manager at a grocery store etc... they breakdown boxes after re-stocking but I have had real good luck with contacting them and arriving around 11:30 etc... they will set them aside for you.
Liquor stores are great as well!
Also check with stores like Pier 1 or World market for bigger ones.
For clothes when we moved ourselves, we just put garbage bags overs the hanging clothes and layed them in the back seat/trunk etc... easy and quick when you get to your new place just hang them back up!

Good luck.

[BigDGeek]

This. Also check with larger Whole Foods and Sprouts locations.