We are so happy you have decided to use Lend A Boxes for your upcoming move or project! After each rental, we send our clients a survey asking what tips and tricks they have for others having already used the boxes. We’ve compiled some recommendations to get the most out of your time with the boxes. They are as excited as you are to get to work, so take good care of them & they’ll take good care of you.
DELIVERY:
★ If you have already paid for your reservation, you do not necessarily have to be home for a delivery. If you are able to receive them through a concierge desk, or have a safe place that is easily accessible outside your home (front stoop, back porch, driveway, etc), we are happy to deliver there per your instructions. Just call our reservation desk and let them know so they can put instructions in on the work order for you.
★ Although never required, and certainly not expected, tipping the driver is a nice way to say thank you when he brings the boxes up a lot of stairs to get them to you.
LABELS:
★ Use the Lend A Box labels provided for free with you boxes. PLEASE do not use other types of labels – it’s bad for a Lend A Box’s complexion. If you must use additional labels, let us know and we’ll provide them to you. Or use masking tape – that works very well in a pinch!
★ If you only put the labels in one spot on a Lend A Box, put them on the side so that you can see what is inside each box when they are stacked up.
★ No needs to remove the labels after you’re done using your Lend A Boxes. We hand wash each one and remove the labels at that time. If you want to entertain our box washing team, have some fun with your labels!
PACKING:
★ Make sure you do your dishes the night before you start packing!
★ Put an empty Lend A Box on the dolly. Fill it up and close it. Repeat two or three times (until you stack is three or four Lend A Boxes high). Now you’ve packed three boxes without lifting anything heavy! Pack the heaviest boxes on the dolly, making each box lighter as you go up to keep a low center of gravity for the stack of packed boxes. **Always remember to bend with your legs, not your back, when lifting heavy items.**
★ Don’t pack our large Lend A Box with books and try to lift it. You can’t… unless you’re someone considering the World’s Strongest Man Competition. For us mere mortals, we provide our small blue Lend A Boxes for heavy items. If you insist on using the large Lend A Boxes for heavy items, fill it only partially with heavy items and fill the rest with lighter items. We suggest items such as towels or pillows.
★ If you are packing glassware or dishes using our packing inserts, go online to https://youtu.be/CaOjfGwCwKw to see a video on how to assemble everything.
★ Towels are also great cushioning when packing fragile items!
★ When packing stemware or other fragile items, make sure you leave about an inch of cushioning on the top of the Lend A Box and close it GENTLY!
★ Keep at least two or three Lend A Boxes for moving day to toss in last minute items (pillows, etc).
★ Label any Lend A Boxes with important items that you’ll need to access immediately as “OPEN FIRST!”
★ Don’t zip tie a Lend A Box shut until you know you’re done with it! In fact, you may find that you don’t need to zip tie many of your Lend A Boxes if you are doing a self move. And while on this topic, don’t pack the scissors you need to cut the zip ties inside a Lend A Box!
★ Don’t overload the wardrobe boxes! Just like the cardboard ones, you won’t be able to lift it easily and the weight will make the side of the wardrobe buckle.
★ Use different color markers for each room to make sorting boxes upon move-in an easier process.
STORAGE: Guess what? We offer by the box valet storage services! Available January 2017
★ Pack up the items you’d like to put into storage with Lend A Box into the large boxes. Label them as storage and use our online app to record what is stored in each box. We’ll pick them up when you’re ready! www.lendabox.com
HAVE FUN!
★ Did your dog jump in the boxes and was it the most adorable thing ever? Did you daughter make a fort and climb inside? OK, did you stack the boxes perfectly in the back of the U-Haul? We want to see this too! Professional movers will be jealous of your awesome packing skills and we want to give you your props! Take a picture and share the fun aspects of your move with us on social media. #lendabox #ecofabulous #whatsinyourbox
STRESS-REDUCING TIPS:
★ Need more boxes? Call us and let us know! We’ll take care of you. 703-988-2470
★ You can arrange to have moving supplies delivered with your boxes. We have bubble wrap, paper, dish pack solutions, and rental blankets available. Just call to add them to your order if you need them.
★ If you need to change your pickup time or date, please let us know! We will work with you to make your time with your Lend A Boxes as stress-free as possible.
★ Don’t forget that you can leave your Lend A Boxes with a concierge or outside for pickup if there is a place we can easily get to them – just let us know where to find them when we confirm the pickup.
★ Return any unused zip ties or labels to us instead of throwing them out!
★ If you have cardboard boxes that you used during the move, that are already flattened and ready to go at the time of our pickup, we’re happy to take them for you.