posted on January 28, 2001 02:28:58 AM
I know many people are no longer shipping priority any longer. I loved having the free supplies, but oh well.
I really don't want to have to buy boxes because I don't want to charge for that, if I did add an extra buck to shipping I may as well ship priority.
Today I was at an local hardware store and they had at least 20 carts full of boxes already broken down. I asked what they were doing with them and they said they were being thrown out! I could not believe the HUGE amount of waste. In addition, they said they have about the same amount they throw out on a weekly basis. What must the local dump look like? Can you say POLLUTION?
They told me to take as many as I wanted. I filled up my car and left.
The boxes are perfect for what I sell, clothes, books, knick-knacks, cosmetics, shoes etc...
If you are looking for free boxes I urge you to try your local hardware stores, if, for nothing else, to stop them from just throwing them in the trash.
One thing though, if these boxes contained paint they probably have paint barcodes (I hope I am saying that right), you have to cover these labels (spray paint or tape over them) before you mail, and it is so late right now I cannot remember why, but I know you have to.
Anyway, I am finishing up wrapping up my boxes to mail on Monday and I thought some of you might be interested in a great source for boxes.
posted on January 28, 2001 02:47:37 AM
You could list those boxes on Ebay and make a fortune! Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Your idea is excellent. I have a good source of boxes, too, from a neighbor who works for a pharmacy. And, I get my packing peanuts from a friend who receives a lot of packages of breakables each week. I still have to buy bubble wrap, though. Haven't find a good, cheap source for that yet.
posted on January 28, 2001 05:26:09 AM
Hi all! Try your local Wal-mart too. If it's a regular Wal-mart, (not 24 hours), they're usually putting their freight out first thing in the morning, (7am). I used to work at one in NY and we always had people asking for boxes...but you have to get em when you see em, because they go from the floor straight to a compactor. Good luck!
posted on January 28, 2001 09:35:57 AM
Hi boots! The paint barcode thing is a HAZMAT matter. If you are shipping, especially with UPS, you REALLY don't want anything associated with HAZMAT on the box!
posted on January 28, 2001 10:26:07 AM
Another box source that's been fantastic for me is the chain of gift stores called "Tuesday Morning". Here in CA they are a discount chain selling mainly breakables & imported stuff. My neighbor works there and brings me huge boxes of bubble wrap and small & medium boxes on a bi-weekly basis. She brought so much I actually had to ask her to stop!!!
posted on January 28, 2001 10:48:30 AM
There was a thread last week about reusing boxes.
The PO has a rather large poster displayed saying all markings on a reused box must be marked out.
At first I thought it meant if the box had been used for hazardous materials, but apparently some POs are making all printing on the box be marked out.
So if the box says "KOTEX" in 6 inch high lettering on the side they might make you cross it out.
Someone came up with a good suggestion, to slit the corner of the box and use it inside out.
posted on January 28, 2001 11:06:06 AM
I am sure it came about that they want the hazmat stuff crossed out, but if you don't want to train the help to know hazmat from regular stuff you just ban all marking. What chance do they have to depend on the help to know the difference when they hire people who think New Mexico is a foreign country?
Oh course there will be those employees happy to find any reason to refuse a package so there is less work. I would be happy to reduce their load until they could be send home. Permanently.
posted on January 28, 2001 11:11:45 AM
I break Down all my Used bokes I ship in and make my own custom fit boxes and mailer out of them.
You can buyer at a very low cost spray cans the spray is cardboard colored to mark out any printing and old labels on boxes I like getting big old boxes and makeing three to 5 boxes or mailers from one box.
But I also still uses the free Priority boxes as well USPS says you have to use these to only ship priority and your not supose to use them inside out for shipping but they dont say you cant rip these down to make your own custom fit Priority boxes.
When you take these free boxes appart and re make them to fit your Item it also makes them far stronger and durable to ship in as a custom fit box has less chance of the item and stuffing shifting and moveing inside.
Also can be made to fit as the outside box on double boxed Items for a neater more profesional looking priority package.
I know for sure you want to avoid Running out of boxes in the middle of a rush while packing this happened to me tearily this month need boxes in a hurry so I went to staples they got me good $10.50 for 3 new shipping boxes Ouch......
Sorry, I couldn't resist.