Whether or not you’re hiring a moving crew, relocation can be an expensive endeavor. But with a little foresight and perseverance, you can cut corners on the financial burden of your move. One of the best ways to be frugal is to find free boxes and supplies. Purchasing new boxes from a moving company is costly, but there are plenty of places where you can find free boxes that will suit your purposes just as well. Here’s where to look in San Francisco.
1. Liquor Stores
Package stores offer one of the best choices for finding free boxes. These outlets go through a huge volume of cardboard on a weekly basis, and the substantive weight of cans and bottles means that they’re certain to be strong and sturdy enough to hold whatever you need without collapsing under the pressure. Many of these boxes are made from corrugated cardboard to make them more resilient, and some come with bottle inserts you can use to protect smaller and more fragile items. Just be sure that the boxes have lids; otherwise they might not be of much use to you.
2. Restaurants
Restaurants receive a lot of boxes, but like liquor stores, many don’t have lids. But they can still work for effectively moving less fragile items and for putting together first night boxes for your relocation.
3. Bookstores
Books are heavy, and the boxes that bookstores have them delivered in them are built to withstand that pressure. Most bookstores don’t have any need for the boxes once their shipment has been delivered, so they’ll be happy to pass them off to you.
4. Big Box Stores
From home improvement stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot to retail chains like Wal-Mart and Target, these massive franchises go through a lot of boxes. The only problem is that their corporate structure can make it hard to find an employee authorized to give you the go ahead. Make a call ahead of time, and get in touch with the store manager to save yourself some hassle.
5. Starbucks
The great advantage of Starbucks is that there’s one on practically every street corner. One or two shipments come in a week, so make sure to check with the staff when you come by for your morning coffee so that you can get an understanding of their delivery schedule.
6. Social Media
The chances are that someone in your neighborhood has some boxes they’re looking to get rid of. Facebook community groups and the Nextdoor neighborhood platform are a great way to get in touch with your neighbors and see if anyone in your area is willing to pitch in and help.
7. Craigslist
Check out the free section of Craiglist. There are usually people in San Francisco looking to get rid of boxes, and Craiglist is one of the best sites to place a listing. Just keep in mind that the quality, quantity, and size of boxes from a private party can vary wildly, so buyer beware applies here.
8. The U-Haul Box Exchange
U-Haul’s dedicated forum allows you to find San Franciscans in your area looking to unload their old boxes. Of course, availability can vary, so get started scoping out the site early, and be ready to exercise some patience.