Should you keep your tech product boxes? – Review Geek

Dealing with Amazon boxes is hard enough. But the phone, computer or video doorbell you order comes with its own special packaging that can turn into a permanent lump on your back. Should you let these old boxes eat up your shelf space or are they in the trash?

At least put boxes to return

When buying an expensive new device, try to keep the packaging for at least a few weeks. Most retailers, including Amazon, must reject returns that are not in the original box. And in some cases, a retailer will deduct your return if you don’t have the packaging.

Now, you’ve probably had a different experience returning. Companies often make exceptions to their return policies for the sake of customer satisfaction. This is especially true if the product is defective.

But no one wants to go through the hassle of returning the item. Keeping a box for a few weeks makes things easier. Plus, it saves you from spending a lot of money on a new box, packing peanuts or bubble wrap.

When you know a product doesn’t need to be returned, you can tear down the packaging and put it in the trash and recycle it. But maybe you should keep the box a little longer; It’s hard to say.

Original packaging increases resale value

At some point, you’re going to upgrade your phone or tablet. And if you keep the original packaging for these devices, you can get an extra $15 or $20 in resale value. This is true for almost all electronics, and is the biggest argument for keeping old boxes.

Selling a product with its original packaging reminds you that you are a good steward. Plus, if you leave any product accessories or instructions in the box, you may have a valid reason to charge extra – someone might want that extra!

Additionally, some boxes have the potential to become “collector’s items.” People love old Apple and Nintendo boxes, even if the boxes are only for small accessories. And for whatever reason, some musicians are obsessed with packaging for old guitar pedals and keyboards.

Now, an older box doesn’t always increase a product’s resale value. Most people won’t pay extra for your five-year-old TV box, nor will they pay for a cheap wireless charging box. And if you expect to push it to death (like a security camera in a harsh environment), you don’t have to worry about resale value.

But do you really resell your old electronics? If you’re hoarding a lot of boxes but rarely sell your stuff, maybe it’s time to clean out your closet. Clinging to the idea that “this might be worth it” is a dangerous game!

Old boxes make moving and maintenance easier.

In some cases, saving an old box can make your life easier. Maybe your video doorbell came with extra mounting hardware, or your Xbox’s packaging has a nice foam pad. In these cases, it may be convenient to keep the box.

I find this to be especially true when moving. A new home may require a little hardware that you leave behind in the box of a modern thermostat. And hey, you don’t have to worry about your Xbox getting damaged on the go if you still have the styrofoam-filled packaging.

Admittedly, this isn’t the best argument for keeping old boxes. Some people stay in the same house for years or decades, and keep old boxes just in case It can be a waste of time or space. You can always organize instruction manuals and accessories in plastic bags, and in fact, electronics are rarely the first thing to break during a move.

Some boxes are simply not worth saving.

Most electronics boxes contain styrofoam, hard plastic, or other non-flat components. Therefore, they take up a lot of space. It’s not a big deal when a box is small, but it’s a pain in the neck when you have a large box for a desktop monitor, sound system, or other large product.

You can usually throw away these big boxes without any regrets. People don’t resell their large electronics, and when they do, it’s often an environmental issue. Shipping a 40-inch TV to someone on eBay isn’t a fun experience, and while the box makes shipping easier, it’s likely to end up in the buyer’s trash.

There are some exceptions to this rule. Maybe you should keep new boxes for a few weeks if a product has to be returned. If you’re moving to a new house soon, a TV box may come in handy. And hey, maybe you’re thinking of upgrading your grand digital piano in a few years—the box can add to its resale value and make shipping easier.

And again, some large electronics can be assembled. Their box might be worth it one day. But this is rarely the case for the average computer, TV, desktop monitor, sound bar, or other bulky device.

How to store old boxes

Storing old boxes is a real nightmare. You have only a few options: put them in the closet, squeeze them in the garage, throw them in a storage room, or pile them on the floor. And if you’re a dork, I guess you could use old boxes as decorations.

The problem, of course, is that electronic packaging cannot be made flat. It usually contains extra plastic, spare parts, or other junk.

My advice is to try and avoid delusional thinking. You can probably think of a dozen reasons to keep an old box, but you only have so much space. Throw away unnecessary boxes. And find a clean place to store and organize boxes that need to be properly stored. (If you’re storing old boxes in the garage, put them in a plastic container to keep out water or bugs.)

Here’s an interesting suggestion; Use your old boxes as storage. You’d be surprised how many cables or Christmas ornaments the Xbox packaging holds. If you label these old boxes with painter’s tape, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding what you left behind.