How long do you keep boxes for?

[Dinggus]

I like to keep my boxes for my electronics, but it's getting to the point where it's getting annoying. How long do you keep your boxes for?

[Eric Veteran]

Until either it's too late to return it to the store or the box falls out of the closet and hits me on the head, whichever comes first. :)

[Louisifer]

That depends on the item.

Large items like a TV box I will keep till next bin day. (It scares me that people just put the whole box next to the bin as a giant invitation to thieves)

Small items like boxes for components for computer I will keep for about 6 months, If its shown no issues I don't see the point in keeping it any longer than that.

[Dinggus]

I have like boxes for my xbox, digital camera (casio exilim), video camera (bought in 2009), a few iphone/ipad boxes, nike fuel band box, 70" tv box, vacuum box, etc.. I know I'm going to keep the iPhone and iPad boxes for sure.

[exotoxic]

less then a day, I throw them in the recycling after checking the product works.

[Brutechicken]

I keep my boxes for about 5 years then throw them away! Its good to have to box in case you resell the item!

[Draconian Guppy]

too long... Usually warranty period.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

I keep them for a long time but only for reselling purposes. I find it's easier to sell something when you still have the original packaging. If it's something I know I won't sell, then I'll keep it until I clean out my basement.

[+JHBrown Subscriber¹]

I keep my computer build boxes until the next upgrade(a year normally). I get more people buying the old parts on eBay when they see I still have the original box.

[Anthony Tosie Veteran]

So long it's embarrassing for some.

I was actually thinking I need to get rid of some of my old software boxes, too. It's not like I have a ton, I just pick random ones to hold on to. I'm pretty sure I still have a box from Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun (released in 1999).

[Raa]

As long as it takes me to fold it and put it into my recycling bin :p

[nub]

That depends on the item.

Large items like a TV box I will keep till next bin day. (It scares me that people just put the whole box next to the bin as a giant invitation to thieves)

Most people have a TV. You could pick a hosue at random to steal a TV from really.

[+DKAngel Subscriber²]

So long it's embarrassing for some.

I was actually thinking I need to get rid of some of my old software boxes, too. It's not like I have a ton, I just pick random ones to hold on to. I'm pretty sure I still have a box from Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun (released in 1999).

ill raise u 1999 tiberian sun box to a 92/93 97 boxed copy of dune and dune 2 white label double pack still

[Ash]

too long... Usually warranty period.

This for hardware, TV, etc boxes....

Software boxes like for old PC games I fold up and leave em in a bin. If I ever move somewhere I have a TON of extra space I would like to put em all out on shelves.

[Symal Taneous]

TV and larger items, until I'm satisfied I won't have to return a defective product. Other stuff like computer components, usually a few weeks, just in case something goes wrong. Boxes that can easily be re-used, I tend to keep for a while. I have a ton of shoe boxes in my closet, I use them for other stuff though, like pictures, dead batteries (until it's time to bring them to a battery recycling program), receipts, other smaller boxes, stuff that I don't really use very often, but often enough that I don't want to get rid of them.

[cooky560 Veteran]

Until said product gets replaced so I can sell it off boxed

[Phouchg]

Despite their size I keep boxes of cases and monitors. For transport original polystyrene packing is probably the best safeguard against anything less than a meteor impact. Older Samsung HDD plastic whatchacallits are useful for screws, adapters, cable ties and other little things. Other boxes aren't useful at all, but now that I look, I have kept embarrassingly most of them :pinch:

And then I also keep certain boxes for things I don't even have (GTX 690 being one, sad that I couldn't get hands on Titan's box)... just to keep me motivated, I guess :laugh:

[moloko]

If I know I will resell it. I keep forever. Helps a bit with resale. For my tvs I just toss them as soon as I get them. We got the space so it not an issue.

[Charisma Veteran]

Generally "until the warranty is up on the item" is my rule of thumb... but by then I forget about the box, so I just end up with boxes from ten years ago sitting around. I really should go clean some of that stuff out...

[The Evil Overlord]

Until the standard warranty runs out :p

[Hum]

Until they spontaneously combust. :wacko:

[DaDude]

I like to keep my boxes for my electronics, but it's getting to the point where it's getting annoying. How long do you keep your boxes for?

Until the return window expires, which is usually 30 days.

[_neutrino Veteran]

I have a rather nice process when it comes to keeping boxes, For consoles i keep them for the life of the product so that i can transport them in their original packaging, For the television I folded the box up to save on space and Kept it for as long as the warranty lasted. Small components I generally keep for 30 days (warranty or store return timeframe) and the same is for most thing, when the warranty is up the box can go.

[Astra.Xtreme]

If there's the possibility of reselling the item, I'll keep the box since it helps retain value. Otherwise I'll get rid of them and save the space.

I'll also keep boxes for TVs since it's easier to transport them in the original box.

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Depends what it is.

Most boxes I keep in the loft. TV's, vacuum cleaner, food processor, camera, new monitor, window vac, kettle, meat mincer, iron... literally everything.

I do this because:

1) If and when I move house, it'll all go back in the original box to transport safely. Plus, when I unpack it again it'll be extra special rather than just getting it out a random box.

2) If I come to want to sell the item then I can sell it in the original box meaning more value.

The latter I have rarely, if ever done.

My parents loft is full of boxes which are 20+ years old. It's a time warp being in there. I also keep boxes which my cat food comes in as they are really heavy duty so will be good for moving. Luckily my loft has a lot of space!