Where to get free or cheap shipping boxes

[anyrodr33]

So I had gotten some priority mail boxes from USPS but the item I want to sell doesnt fit in any of these boxes (the item is too long)

So I had to use my own box. However, I need to know exactly where I can go to to get boxes that dont cost me so much or are free?

I even had tried out using an amazon box I still owned, but I turned the box inside out to avoid showing off the labels. I had to tape the box a lot from the outside, but im worried if it's gonna be unsafe for travel. I plan to ship with USPS Ground Advantage, so im unsure what to do or where to go. Any advice?

[1786davycrockett]

@anyrodr33 

Check out any Barnes & Noble store (ONLY after 12:00 PM, however).  Their receiving departments should be able to supply you with multiple size cardboard boxes, as well as peanuts, shipping pillows, plastic liner, and so on.

The B&N stores receive daily shipments Monday through Friday, and either have to recycle the items themselves (which costs them money), or give it away.

So check 'em out!

[lakefor94]

Been obtaining free boxes for a long time from the recycle dumpsters behind retail stores.  Old Navy is a good one. The boxes are always clean and broken down.

Tuesday Morning was a good one before they closed. Bealls is another one. 

I have a run I make through town and have 3-4 regular dumpsters to grab covered pickup truck load. Gets me through several/many months every time. 

[orangehound]

---

@anyrodr33 wrote:

I even had tried out using an amazon box I still owned, but I turned the box inside out to avoid showing off the labels. I had to tape the box a lot from the outside, but im worried if it's gonna be unsafe for travel. I plan to ship with USPS Ground Advantage, so im unsure what to do or where to go. Any advice?

---

If you are going to do that with an Amazon box, carefully separate the glued tab on the edge so that you don't rip the cardboard.  Then, invert the box and re-glue the tab using a hot glue gun.  Remove Amazon labels with a heat gun.

We do that a lot.  The labor and energy costs are probably equivalent to buying a new box, but I believe re-use is better than recycling, and these boxes can survive multiple shipments.

[mtgraves7984]

I've had luck grabbing great boxes at the Bakery counter of my Kroger and Walmart stores. 🙂

[anyrodr33]

I dont have hot glue or super glue; but I used scott tape I bought before and some orange tape, I basically removed all the amazon tape from the box and blocked out the labels/logos with only a pink sharpie I found. I used both tapes to hold the box together underneath, but I dont know if that is safe to send out without risking damage. I made sure to tape it as secure as possible. Im still worried the box will end up getting damaged

[anyrodr33]

When it comes to walmart, where can I find the boxes? Do they sell them? Or do they throw it out somewhere? Can I ask some employees there for boxes too?

[slyders_finds]

Behind Guitar Center. Boxes of all sizes. And sometimes you find good stuff in their regular dumpster. 😉

[1786davycrockett]

@anyrodr33 

I suspect that WalMart has their own internal cardboard compacter, and that they compact all their cardboard containers.

I worked for Target for a while, and I know that Target compacts all their used cardboard.

[fm2000]

If you need an odd size box and can't find a free one, Uhaul offers a variety of specialty boxes to find odd shaped items (like a trombone or a guitar, a large framed picture, golf clubs etc.) Not always the cheapest option but a great option in a pinch if you need to get an oddly shaped item out quickly.

[slyders_finds]

Craigslist Free Section is good for boxes. I answered an ad. I got to the house and the screened in porch was filled with boxes, bubble envelopes, bubble wrap, bubble packs. 2 years later I still have a huge bag and a half of bubble supplies.