How to Find Free Moving Boxes

The only reason to look for free moving boxes is that you want to save money. That's understandable since saving money where you can is always important, but especially so these days when the slowing economy has strained many budgets. But even though you want free moving boxes, don't accept any moving boxes unless they are in good condition. Before you begin looking for free moving boxes, make up your mind that you want only moving boxes that are both sturdy and clean. Being choosy like this may require you to look a little longer, but it will pay off big time during the moving process since good boxes won't burst open spilling your belongings everywhere. Here are places where you might find free moving boxes that are in good condition.
 
The first place to look for free moving boxes is your friends and family. Tell everyone you know and trust that you need moving boxes. Even if your friends and relatives may not have any moving boxes, themselves, they may know of someone who does. You want to start doing this weeks, even months, before you are going to acturally move because it often takes a long time to find moving boxes this way. And even though it might be your sister or your best friend who offters you free moving boxes, you still need to carefully examine every box to make sure it is strong and clean.

Local stores are good sources of free moving boxes since they receive most of their merchandise in boxes and usually just throw them away. But stay away from looking from free moving boxes from food stores because produce boxes often have stains and odors, and they also can have bug eggs that can lodge in your belongings during the move. Again, start this process as soon as you know you are going to move. Stores usually only receive merchandise several times a month, so tell them you are looking for free moving boxes long before you actually need the boxes.

Apartment complexes are also can be great places to look for boxes since people move in and out of there constantly. Talk with the apartment manager and let them know that you are looking for free moving boxes. Ask if you can put a flyer advertising your need for boxes in the rental office. Almost everyone moving in is sure to see your flyer and some will call you.
When making up your flyer, it's best to state specific days and times for people to call you. Most people who move themselves move on weekends, so you could design your flyer to receive calls only on Sunday. However, a lot of people who move themselves also use second-hand boxes, too. You have a much better chance of getting free moving boxes in good condition from someone who hired a mover to move them. Almost everyone who hires movers will be moving on weekdays. So, if you write your flyer to ask for calls on Mondays and Thursdays only, you will probably get calls from people who used a moving company. Their boxes are more likely to have been used only once.
 
Always remember that even free moving boxes must be both sturdy and clean.

Tips for Finding
Free Moving Boxes

Tip 1: You are probably wasting your time if you look for free moving boxes on Craigslist or in local papers. Most people don't advertise anything unless they can make money by selling it.  One of the best places to find free moving boxes that are clean and strong is local car dealerships. Another good place to ask if they have moving boxes you can have for free is car parts stores, such as AutoZone.   

Tip 2: One of the biggest problems with finding free moving boxes is that you can waste a lot of time and gasoline driving around looking at boxes that have been in someone's garage or basement for so long that the boxes are in bad condition.  If someone you know offers to give you free moving boxes, be sure to ask them how long it's been since they used them for moving.  If it was more than six months, chances are the boxes are worthless.