I am doing a move the old fashion way. I am packing my stuff up in boxes and moving them myself.

Will someone please help me and tell me where I can get some free, or cheap, cardboard boxes?

Thanks

I wish you would have posted before! I just finished moving and had a whole truck full of boxes to throw away.

In any case, I got some really good and strong boxes from Coop and Obi. They were not very expensive.

If you want to get them for free, most businesses will have some lying around that they'll be glad to get rid of. Some of the supermarkets also.

Good luck with your move! I vowed never to move again!

Thanks for replying so quickly to my email Lynn.

Was there a certain person or department at Coop that you went to? (I dont have an Obi around me)

Also, if you dont mind posting, what can I expect to pay for the boxes? Do I offer money or is it just a flat out rate?

Congratulations on your move and wish you the best in your new home

Thanks Bluefish! I paid for the boxes this time, simply because I don't speak enough Italian to ask for free ones. They cost between 4-10 chf depending on the size.

Before we moved to Switzerland though, I just went to some local shops in Malta and most were really happy to get rid of some boxes. Some even delivered them to my house for free. I got some really good strong boxes from a pet shop.

The cheapest you'll find in Ikea: 2 Boxes for 4.95 sfr. and you will find also cheap boxes in Bauhaus and Jumbo.

Exactly, I bought IKEA boxes. They are good quality (don't break easily) too.

I second this, but I have to add that the quality of the Obi ones is better. Especially the double layer "book boxes" for heavy stuff.

I was in my local Co-op yesterday and saw a couple of the shop staff bringing out a whole pile of collapsed cardboard boxes from the food store room area and giving them to a couple of girls who were clearly not staff. I can only assume they were after moving boxes too - got to be worth asking if you can get them for free

Hi Bluefish,

The best for moving boxes in the Salvation Army shop -sorry do not recall the proper name at the moment (most places have one). You can buy flat pack boxes (2CHF or 5CHF depending on size) that are Very strong - basically we filled them when we moved until they could no longer be lifted and no problems at all.

The best bit is that once you have moved you can flat pack the boxes and take them back to the shop (can be any, dose not have to be the same shop) and provided the boxes are still usable you get you 2CHF or 5CHF back!!

I'm looking for some too. Found what the poster above was referring to..
Salvation Army = Heilsarmee
See http://www.heilsarmee.ch, then click on Brockis and select a location. the box is called brocki box.
e.g. http://www.brocki.ch/zuerich/index.c...63&angebot=918

Just walk into the Coop, and ask a staff member if they have any banana boxes, and they will have a look in the storage area, and if they have any they will give you them for free, did this with our last move, and they are fantastic also for heavy things such as books

I tried asking in Migros and came away with one small box. :-(

But went to Migros Do-It-Yourself dept (e.g. Bau & Hobby) and their moving boxes are big, strong and cheap - 690mm long x 400mm wide x 340mm high, double cardboard on bottom, triple at ends, fold down lid, rated to 30Kg and only cost SFr 3.90 each. And being regular sizes with lid makes it easy to stack. I kn ow they have them for example in MMM in Wädenswil, and Migros City in Zürich city centre.

To help you ask for them it is called a "Zügelbox" / "Box de déménagement" / "Box per trasloco"

Hi, I have a few boxes that have been used a few times but are still in good nick. I am in Zürich Affoltern. PM me if interested. They are of course free!

Hi, We also have a few moving boxes in our storage space that we haven't gotten rid of yet - still in good shape. We live in Enge between Banhof Enge and Sihl City (about a 8-10 minute walk to either). Let me know if you want them.

I have about 10 of the Ikea moving boxes which you can have for free - they just need to be collected from Bubikon, ZH.

I'll even help you bring them up from my cellar !

Can't say fairer than that.

Alternative to boxes, try the shopping bags from Migros/Coop - they are extremely durable and easy to carry!

THANKS to everyone for your replies and generous offers. I took the advice of getting some from the shops and bought a couple at Ikea.

The Ikea ones are super sturdy. For future box buyers, the Ikea in Rolle (not positive on spelling) only had one size, medium, no tape required for the boxes. You just follow the directions and fold it up, they come with a flap that closes up at the top. Also, they do not sell tape, bubble wrap, or any kind of packing supplies.

Exactly I have subjected mine to a lot of abuse and dropping and they still hold up well

Once again, thanks to everyone for their great advice. I am now in my new place and love the location. Also, I cant complain on not having any boxes to open on Christmas

Merry Christmas bluefish! Hope you enjoy your new home!