Where can I get boxes for moving in Atlanta?

March 9, 2006 9:59 PM

I'm moving to a new apartment in Atlanta, does anyone know of any places where I could get alot of big empty boxes that I can use for moving?
posted by icespide to Home & Garden (17 answers total)

Where I'm from, you can buy new or second hand boxes from storage companies. They often sell boxes specifically for computer moniters and TVs, as well as bubble-wrap, tape, etc.
posted by azuma at 10:08 PM on March 9, 2006

Office supply store?
Liquor store?
posted by reverendX at 10:08 PM on March 9, 2006

the nearest big chain bookstore should have a stack of 12"X18"X36" (approx.) boxes in their back room. most days they'll be happy to hand out as many as you need.
posted by carsonb at 10:17 PM on March 9, 2006

Best answer: Liquor stores are good, and bars and restaurants are always tossing out wine, beer, and liquor boxes on a daily basis. These boxes are good because they are sturdy and relatively clean. Most places will be happy to save them for you, but will be most unhappy if you let them pile up for more than a day or so.

Milk crates, the theft of which is a crime. Though behind your local supermarket there are probably hundreds of them right now. Waiting for you. Tempting you. Beckoning....

Buying boxes from storage companies is expensive, but you may need them to supply bigger or specialty boxes.

I moved a house full of belongings in (mostly) vodka boxes cadged from work. We sell a lot of vodka.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:22 PM on March 9, 2006

Some places get their shipments on one specific day. Find out when this day is and ask if you can have their boxes- most places will gladly oblidge as it reduces the amount of boxes they need to break down.
posted by jmd82 at 10:24 PM on March 9, 2006

When I had to do this, I always just drove around behind every big box store and supermarket and went dumpster diving.
posted by frogan at 10:54 PM on March 9, 2006

Look around on Craigslist (someone might be offering up boxes, you never know) or check with rental places (like Uhaul or Ryder) to see if they've got some big boxes laying around. The rental places usually charge for boxes, though, so check everywhere else before you resort to that.
Check out malls (not so much Lenox; maybe North Point or even Town Center) or big stores (like the BrandsMarts or Best Buys) to see if there's anything available.
posted by itchie at 11:10 PM on March 9, 2006

Here in Norway I've always just asked around in the nearest shops. Keep in mind that you don't want huge boxes, though. They're just too heavy when packed and awkward to lift. Moving companies over here sometimes sell boxes also; they're good quality and very suitable for the job.

Use the smallest boxes for you books, and the bigger ones for lighter items. Put your plants in open-topped boxes and stick them on top in the truck/trailer. Throw your clothes in big plastic bags and squeeze them in wherever they fit. Put blankets or cardboard around your furniture to protect it from scratches. (I used to work for a moving company in my summer vacations)
posted by Harald74 at 11:33 PM on March 9, 2006

Man oh man, have I got the answer for YOU!

Go to the local hospital, head for materials management, and ask for boxes. They get a billion every day, and most will even part with packing material!

The best part is that most of the boxes are of a standard size, which makes moving the boxes pizacake.
posted by herrdoktor at 12:03 AM on March 10, 2006

You can usually go to 24-hour supermarkets and Wal-marts after midnight or so. Since they're always open, they're restocking while you're there, and once they've emptied the box, they shouldn't mind you taking it. Worked for me last year.
posted by SuperNova at 12:41 AM on March 10, 2006

I work at Sears and we get shipments for adequate size boxes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Go to your local Sears store MPU location and ask the guys if they could let you have some of their boxes. More than likely they will give you stuff from the home fashion department which has decent size boxes. Go around 12-1:30 pm since that is when the bulk of the stuff has been opened.
posted by Number27 at 2:38 AM on March 10, 2006

Seconding the warning about oversized boxes. Even if they are not heavy (because they're full of light stuff), they're awkward. Going up and down stairs and through narrower interior doors is a hassle when carrying a big box.

For clothes, get some industrial-grade trash bags at the supermarket.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 2:50 AM on March 10, 2006

When my wife and I move, we always try to get as many banana boxes from the local grocery store (call and ask the produce manager to save them for you).

Banana boxes are double walled, and have built-in reinforced handles. They are perfect for moving!
posted by richardhay at 4:51 AM on March 10, 2006

Ask on your local freecycle.org list. There are always people giving away moving boxes on ours.
posted by jacquilynne at 4:59 AM on March 10, 2006

You can get them from Target, too. Just go when they open, and ask. If they don't have a bunch already, they can save you some for tomorrow.
posted by graventy at 5:43 AM on March 10, 2006

Other than the book and liquor store suggestions above (which strangely seem to go together well), have you looked far a freecycle group in your area?
posted by Pollomacho at 6:44 AM on March 10, 2006

Or, like jacquilynne suggested there's freecycle. D'oh, must not get lazy on preview!
posted by Pollomacho at 6:45 AM on March 10, 2006