Moving Tips Required

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

I'm planning to move, and I need a little help finding a couple things:

1.- Do you know a place where I can get inexpensive boxes?, all box-selling places I don't know if they think their boxes are made of gold or what, but they are expensive!!!.

2.- Any packing tips for a 52" Projection TV?, I don't know if I will be able to get a box that big.

All I could think for #2 is going to Best Buy (I bought it there) and ask if they happen to have one availiable that they are not using. I don't know!.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Cobra]

In our move recently, we used a relocation company (courtesy of the UK government). They were rubbish. Yes, it's fairly convenient having stuff packed up for you, but some of it wasn't packed properly, and they took a lot longer than expected. Avoid using these kind of companies.

You could try approaching a removals company and asking if they sell boxes. Otherwise, try local supermarkets - they often have lots of big (if differently-sized) boxes being chucked in the recycling. They pay to have it taken away, and may welcome your request.

Invest in lots of reasonably strong tape to bind boxes together - you'll need more than you thi8nk.

As for the TV, try wrapping it up in a blanket or duvet and using string or rope to bind it together. That should prevent it from being scratched or bashed. You'll need to try and work out a way that it won't slip out of the bindings, though.

Most of all, good luck with your move!

[Abbadon]

Did you try talking nicely to one of the guys at the supermarket and see if there are a couple of boxes lying around that he could sell you for a few bucks?

Regarding the TV Projector, if I were you I would get as much as possible of that pink material used by companies like amazon for shipping stuff ( I can't remember the name but it is like foam) get several empty boxes, rip them apart and build a box using tape to fit the TV, and fill it with the pink stuff to protect the device.

[Conquest10]

As far as moving it around, its a smart thing what the deliverers do. They have a strap that goes around their shoulders that connects the two guys and slip the strap under the box and lift it that way. Their arms are placed on the top of the box just to keep it from tipping over.

[SquirrelDip]

Further on Abbadon's suggestion for the projector...

Stop by your local Home Depot (or similar) and pick up a really cheap sheet of 1/4" panelling board (should only be a couple of bucks) - generally 4' x 8'. Cut it so it goes from the floor to the top of the TV - a carpet knife will score then you can break.

Throw a bed sheet over the TV, put the panelling in front to the screen then throw a blanket over. Then duct tape to hold the blanket(s) in place.

If it's travelling a short distance then this should suffice. If not then also do what Abbadon suggests.

[pantsonfire]

Try to ask a supermarket for boxes.

[ZAPPER]

Shopping mall for boxes, Crate n Barel, Potery Barn or places that sell furniture for big boxes. Liquer stores for medium boxes. Dont opt for the bigger the box the more stuff that you can put in it plan. If you fill a 4'x4'x4' box full of books it is HEAVY. The standard case of beer bottles box is a good size box.

Wrap your breakables in clothes and bed linens that you wont need for the duration of the move.

Build a custom crate for your big TV. Build it atop a furniture dolly or at least on skids, or attach casters to the bottom, Flattened out cardboard boxes can be cut and fit to the TV

Hand trucks are nice on hard surfaces, Web straps can be used to help carry big things like washers and dryers. Good web strap can be found by the roll at Surplus stores and about 40 or 50 feet of it can be tied to almost anything to carry it. An old timer showed me this trick. He always starts by folding the strap and then going under the object and he then ties it off as a pack hitch of some sort so that the free ends are about a foot lower than his shoulders. Put your back against the object with the straps over your shoulder and stand up and lean forward a bit. Washing machines, dryers and refridgerators just become a one man job. Stairs, slopes and rough terrian are no problem. You would actually be suprised at how easy it works.


Oh yes there is the other method. Lots of beer and lots of freinds!

[träskmannen]

Like a lot of people already said - ask for boxes at your local supermarket. I don't know how it is in the US but here in Europe the banana boxes are very strong and they are quite popular among people who move. You might also want to check if you can rent boxes, some moving companies give that possibility.

Remember to only choose strong ones if you go for supermarket boxes. When the bottom suddenly opens up and your belongings spread over a couple of square meters you understand why it might have been a good idea to pay for a good box instead. Secure the bottom with some strong tape just in case.

I always use plastic garbage bags to move clothes and other textiles (not for suits or other sensitive stuff off course). It's cheap and easy, you can fit a lot of them in a car and they are easy to carry.

[hoyboy]

maybe asking at electrical stores for boxes would prove fruitful. We throw out that many good size boxes every week it is not funny- most small appliances come wrapped up in brown boxes.

[gadgetguy]

Most of the boxes from supermarkets are worthless because they are designed to be "display cases" with only three solid sides and one "breakaway" side. Electronics/Appliance stores that display alot of microwaves, TVs, Toaster ovens, etc. They usually have good, solid, nice sized boxes, but you have to get them to save them for you because they usually cut them up for recycling, (or trash).

[MeDiCo_BrUjO]

Thanks for all the tips, I'm going to ask around supermarkets and electronic shops for boxes. I'll let you know this weekend after my box-hunt ends.


Thanks to all of you for the help!

[zzyzzx]

Try craiglist to see if anyone is giving away their moving boxes. When your done, give them away to someone else.