Boxes, cases, packaging to be saved?

[MuttCat]

I'll guess I'm not the only one. Over the years I've amassed quite a collection of the packaging that new firearms came in. You know the stuff, boxes for long guns, plastic cases that sidearms come with, assorted scope boxe, sling packaging, what a pain in ass storing this stuff. I only hang on to it with the thought that come selling time maybe it will be a dealer maker or help bring a better price. It's like those picker guys on the boob tube...ewwww ahhhh it has the original box!

Is it really worth hanging on to this stuff? Anybody else consider just throwing it all out?

 

[BDinPutnam]

I'm the same way but not for resale- I'm a hoarder uhh.... "collector." Not sure why, really, I virtually never sell any of my stuff. Just sentimental i guess, in a weird way.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I hide the evidence from my wife.

 

[spat]

I'll guess I'm not the only one. Over the years I've amassed quite a collection of the packaging that new firearms came in. You know the stuff, boxes for long guns, plastic cases that sidearms come with, assorted scope boxe, sling packaging, what a pain in ass storing this stuff. I only hang on to it with the thought that come selling time maybe it will be a dealer maker or help bring a better price. It's like those picker guys on the boob tube...ewwww ahhhh it has the original box!

Is it really worth hanging on to this stuff? Anybody else consider just throwing it all out?

The box has value, but hanging on to it has a carrying cost that offsets that value. i.e. the space it is taking up is valuable too.

It's up to you to decide for each box whether the value exceeds the cost or not, and that will depend largely on how much space it takes up, and how long you think it's going to sit there before you need it.

 

[MuttCat]

It's really weird, like there's a guilt trip with throwing crap out....

 

[CaseHardened]

I'll guess I'm not the only one. Over the years I've amassed quite a collection of the packaging that new firearms came in. You know the stuff, boxes for long guns, plastic cases that sidearms come with, assorted scope boxe, sling packaging, what a pain in ass storing this stuff. I only hang on to it with the thought that come selling time maybe it will be a dealer maker or help bring a better price. It's like those picker guys on the boob tube...ewwww ahhhh it has the original box!

Is it really worth hanging on to this stuff? Anybody else consider just throwing it all out?

The box will dramatically increase the value.

It is a sign that the owner treats their items with respect.

Small boxes to valuable items (Cell Phones, most Jewelry) are a no brainer.

Large ones ? Unless the item is actually valuable and expected to retain value - no.

One tough call can be computers.

Laptops - keepers.

Desktops - unless the computer sold for close to $1000 or more (e.i. an I7), and may be sold within 6 years or so, no.

Printers and scanners - keep the box for a couple of months tops.

Motherboard and high-end Video Card boxes are keepers, as are CPU boxes. Also Memory boxes.

I keep the boxes to Holiday Decorations if the item can be neatly and easily stored back in the box. Otherwise, toss it.

Firearms have value forever. Keep every box.

The firearm accessories ? Tough call. If you may upgrade it within a few years, definitely keep it.

BTW, keep the Twist Ties, Plastic Bags, etc, too. They fit right in the box, take up no room, and really enhance sales appeal.

 

[JaguarJaguarGolf]

For long guns I keep the end bar code piece of cardboard. I keep the plastic cases handguns come in.

I do have an old S&W .22 with the original box and bill of sale to the original owner. I've told my children that in this case the original box and paperwork could increase the value of the gun if they want to sell it when I'm gone.

 

[Twogunwilly]

I only keep pistol & scope boxes except for the uber cool foam lined PSA boxes.

 

[CaseHardened]

For long guns I keep the end bar code piece of cardboard. I keep the plastic cases handguns come in.

I do have an old S&W .22 with the original box and bill of sale to the original owner. I've told my children that in this case the original box and paperwork could increase the value of the gun if they want to sell it when I'm gone.

Older Gun Boxes sell for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Old Toy Robot boxes - Ditto.

Old Oil Cans and Boxes - yes.

Use common sense and eBay as a guide.

 

[MuttCat]

Well CH, it's pretty clear where you stand!

I'll say this though; online shopping makes thing worse. The amount of cardboard is crazy. I can't throw it away fast enough!

 

[CaseHardened]

The tough thing is so many modern products are packaged in containers that must be destroyed to access the contents, leaving the packaging badly disfigured.

Bad news for collectors down the road from us.

 

[CaseHardened]

Well CH, it's pretty clear where you stand!

I'll say this though; online shopping makes thing worse. The amount of cardboard is crazy. I can't throw it away fast enough!

I'm very lucky there is a Paper Recycling plant within a mile of me.

I rarely even break the boxes down.

Although even Cereal Boxes turned inside out (break seams with Putty Knife, re-glue with Hot Melt Glue) are awesome to ship Books, DVD's, etc, in - don't keep too many !

They build up real fast.

 

[MuttCat]

Gun locks are another bugaboo....

 

[dsdmmat]

I have an uninsulated storage room connected to my bedroom. All the cardboard rifle boxes are put in there to be out of the way. Plastic pistol cases are stored elsewhere. I keep the stuff because I am trying to convince the wife to move and it will be easier to move the guns in their original boxes. Of course this is not a true statement after you add scopes and other things to the gun.

 

[Criticalt]

Ill keep the plastic handgun boxes.
Ill also keep boxes for possibly collectible guns.
I do not keep boxes for guns like my Mossberg 500 or Shield 9mm and such.

 

[CaseHardened]

Ill keep the plastic handgun boxes.
Ill also keep boxes for possibly collectible guns.
I do not keep boxes for guns like my Mossberg 500 or Shield 9mm and such.

Time is money.

In this case, you tossed $33.99

Smith & Wesson M&P 45 AUTO Shield Factory Black EMPTY BOX ONLY Handgun Pistol | eBay

I know, it actually IS a hassle to sell on eBay.

But I'm the cheap bastard who will sell an item to clear $5 - which IS crazy.

 

[MuttCat]

Ebay? Did not consider that. Actually, I've sold quite a few things there, but it's not like it used to be. The fees, the "buy it now" angle. Man, you have to have top dollar items for the effort.

Get a load of this: Just 3 months ago I bought a hardcover reloading manual and received the softcover version. No problem I was told, just return it. I did, returned it to Amazon where it came from...Amazon gave me $26 in store credit, not the $35 I paid. Why? Because the seller used a gift card to buy it himself. I bitched to Ebay, they gave me the $35 and I got to keep the $26 in credit...they couldn't refund the purchase made with a gift card. The seller was pissed! I told him after several back-n-forths tough shit asshole, F-off. Kudos to Ebay though.

 

[CaseHardened]

Ebay? Did not consider that. Actually, I've sold quite a few things there, but it's not like it used to be. The fees, the "buy it now" angle. Man, you have to have top dollar items for the effort.

Get a load of this: Just 3 months ago I bought a hardcover reloading manual and received the softcover version. No problem I was told, just return it. I did, returned it to Amazon where it came from...Amazon gave me $26 in store credit, not the $35 I paid. Why? Because the seller used a gift card to buy it himself. I bitched to Ebay, they gave me the $35 and I got to keep the $26 in credit...they couldn't refund the purchase made with a gift card. The seller was pissed! I told him after several back-n-forths tough shit asshole, F-off. Kudos to Ebay though.

I'm missing something here.

You bought it on Amazon, returned it on Amazon.

How did eBay get involved ?

Amazon has always given me a 100% refund as long as I have a legitimate reason for doing so.

Ebay, ditto.

I'll be honest - if I imagine I may need to return an item, I usually buy it on Amazon. eBay is mostly little guys, and I don't want to hassle them with returns.

Often if I have an issue with an eBay item, I just politely tell the Seller about it. Most don't want the item back, and they'll offer a discount / partial refund.

If I do have to return it, I often pay the Return Shipping myself. But not always.

 

[masterswimmer]

I'm missing something here.

You bought it on Amazon, returned it on Amazon.

How did eBay get involved ?

Amazon has always given me a 100% refund as long as I have a legitimate reason for doing so.

Ebay, ditto.

I'll be honest - if I imagine I may need to return an item, I usually buy it on Amazon. eBay is mostly little guys, and I don't want to hassle them with returns.

Often if I have an issue with an eBay item, I just politely tell the Seller about it. Most don't want the item back, and they'll offer a discount / partial refund.

If I do have to return it, I often pay the Return Shipping myself. But not always.

I read it the exact same way. Reread it several times and I THINK it went down like this.

Seller was an individual on ebay.
Buyer, @MuttCat was told the seller bought it on amazon before he resold it on ebay.
The seller purchased the softcover manual on amazon with a gift card worth $26.
Now this is where it gets fuzzy. I think muttcat had to return it to amazon as if he received it as a gift from the original seller. Why else would amazon just accept a return of something muttcat never purchased from them?

Really convoluted story.

 

[Robin]

I have three thousand Nabisco Saltine boxes if anyone needs one.
Robin Cracker

 

[Depick]

I hate clutter so I have a bad habit of throwing most packaging away. I have started to keep the boxes long guns come in and I’ve always kept the plastic boxes pistols come in.

 

[MuttCat]

The joker on Ebay sold me a book he purchased with gift card on Amazon. Convoluted yes...he himself really didn't make the purchase, his partner in crime did. I would not have even known or complained if the book was hardcover...his listing on Ebay stated hardcover. The bums sold me a softcover, hence my complaint. Turns out he is a firefighter in Israel someplace and his bud is here in the states.

You just never know.

I think I'll forget about the boxes for awhile.