Where to find moving supplies?

So we've decided the cheapest and easiest way to move is to hire a van and drive it ourselves. I admit this may have been an incorrect assessment... Anyway, the current dilemma is where to find boxes and packing supplies. I don't need a lot, as we saved most of the stuff from our last move, but I expect to need a few boxes and would like some newsprint/dish paper.

Any suggestions? B&Q yielded nothing...

I know Argos sells moving house packs of boxes and bubble wrap and things...I've always thought the price was a bit dear but worth looking into I suppose!

We've bought the odd packing box or two (mostly to post things) from Staples but they're very expensive!  If you're doing it yourself, you could always use my tried-and-true fallback from my college days and pack everything in laundry baskets.  I must have moved into four different dorms and five different apartments without a single box - just a dozen trusty plastic laundry baskets and my Ford Probe.

Seriously, though, last time we moved house here in the UK we used file boxes from Staples (as well as laundry baskets) - the ones with the removable lids and cut-out handles?  They came in bundles of five or ten, I think, and were cheaper than brown packing boxes.  You might also try someplace like Costco or Asda for grocery boxes....

Lidl!!!!

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/i.home

Their specials from last Thursday through this coming Thursday include a ton of moving supplies! Boxes, paper, tape, labels, etc.!  

I'm in the middle of packing at the moment as well, but I've hired movers and they've given me all my boxes (second - or possibly third or fourth - hand, but free!). As for paper, I've just asked all my friends not to throw out their newspapers. I know it's not as 'clean' as proper packing paper but, again, it's free - and that counts for a lot right now!

from the bins of pubs and off-licences! 

You lot are lovely!

Has anyone ordered from the Staples website? It says it's only for business customers, but they have what I need and the nearest store is in Scotland.

chary, I was SO EXCITED by your post about Lidl...but evidently NI is covered by lidl.ie and they don't have the same specials. :\\\'(

(Anyone see a Northern-Ireland-is-chopped-liver theme emerging here?)

chary, I was SO EXCITED by your post about Lidl...but evidently NI is covered by lidl.ie and they don't have the same specials. :\\\'(

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. But maybe you'll get the moving supplies special in a week or two. You never know! I subscribe to the Lidl's newsletter thingie, so I get an email every week telling me what the specials are. It wouldn't hurt to do that, just in case.

(Anyone see a Northern-Ireland-is-chopped-liver theme emerging here?)

At least you'll be gone soon! 

If you're doing it yourself, you could always use my tried-and-true fallback from my college days and pack everything in laundry baskets.  - just a dozen trusty plastic laundry baskets and my Ford Probe.

Me too! 15 trips in a ford fiesta and tons of Laundry baskets (they do really big ones in Wilkinson for a £1.)

Also...in the past...I asked a local warehouse that distribute goods if they had any spare boxes...and even craftier..I tip toed behind NEXT after hours and grabbed some they were throwing out.... and put them back there after hours when I didn't want them anymore  Ssshh..I never told you that 

Another place is the local tip/rubbish recycling centre...tons of boxes there. FREE

Has anyone ordered from the Staples website? It says it's only for business customers, but they have what I need and the nearest store is in Scotland.

Not sure about delivering but we certainly shop in the Staples in Glasgow (I have a loyalty card  )

If you get no joy ordering from the website I'd be happy to get it and post it for you if you need it.

Aw, I'm sorry to hear that. But maybe you'll get the moving supplies special in a week or two. You never know! I subscribe to the Lidl's newsletter thingie, so I get an email every week telling me what the specials are. It wouldn't hurt to do that, just in case.

That's a good idea!

Me too! 15 trips in a ford fiesta and tons of Laundry baskets (they do really big ones in Wilkinson for a £1.)

Don't think I'll be doing 15 trips across the Irish Sea.

Not sure about delivering but we certainly shop in the Staples in Glasgow (I have a loyalty card  )

If you get no joy ordering from the website I'd be happy to get it and post it for you if you need it.

That's totally sweet of you! I don't think I'm that desperate yet, though. I'll let you know if I get there!

Do you have a local Freecycle group there?  People often offering or asking for moving boxes and bubble wrap on there.  Tape is a different story.  Give it a try.  Freecycle is a yahoo group.  Cheers.

PS - I'm looking for shipping/packing tape, thus found your thread.  Looking to buy some from somewhere OTHER than the post office.  Anyone know if Tesco has it?  Trying to go to one of the shops on our high street instead of dragging the kids a bit further.   

PS - I'm looking for shipping/packing tape, thus found your thread.  Looking to buy some from somewhere OTHER than the post office.  Anyone know if Tesco has it?  Trying to go to one of the shops on our high street instead of dragging the kids a bit further.   

I've been buying tape from the £ Shop. Two giant rolls for £1 !! Can't beat that! I've already used about a dozen! Yeeeps!

As for boxes, my bf found this site this morning: http://www.mad4boxes.co.uk/index.php

I like the free next-day delivery option!

I haven't found packing/shipping tape at either Tesco or Asda in the past (both places I've tried because it makes sense that they WOULD have it!) - just plain sellotape.

from the bins of pubs and off-licences! 

I second this too.  Or, just go into a couple of your local shops and just ask them when their deliveries are and if they would mind if you had their boxes.  I've done this a time or two.

Also, what about where you work?  Last time we moved, DH popped into his HR department and found out when they got office supplies and such sent in, and they ended up saving quite a few boxes for us.

(Anyone see a Northern-Ireland-is-chopped-liver theme emerging here?)

Hee hee.  I get tired of seeing so many ads for things like good rates on insurance, and then in tiny print...Not Available in Northern Ireland