Should i keep boxes for electronics

More often than not, though, they just take up a lot of unnecessary space. The Best Tech Newsletter Anywhere Join , subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. Since we launched in , our articles have been read more than 1 billion times.

However, the policy does change from vendor to vendor so read the fine print before making a purchase. Best Buy, for example, will give you store credit in exchange for used electronics. Baldwin says that you can earn a larger credit for the product if you provide the original packaging, manuals, and accessories. Having the original packaging assures the buyer that you take care of your tech, so you can sometimes sell the product for a higher price. That being said, if the product is old or not in great shape, the box probably won't make a significant difference.

Use your best judgment based on the quality of the item and the space you have in your home. You need the packaging and accessories to get a refund from Apple , even if you return the item within the day window. They will, however, provide the packaging for warranty-related issues or trade-ins, so you don't need to keep the box after that time period. If you're moving you should definitely hold onto the boxes for TVs, printers, speakers, small appliances, or anything else that may be difficult to pack and carry.

It'll just make transit safer and easier! But in most cases, product boxes have no use and should be broken down and recycled. If you still have a box for a product you no longer use and you don't plan on selling it, it may be time to get rid of both.

If your answers to the previous four questions suggest you should let your box go, but you still can't do it, this next solution may be for you. A number of crafty DIYers around the Web have found ways to "upcycle" product boxes into usable furnishings. Some examples of repurposing product boxes are:. At the minimum, you can easily use small product boxes such as those from phones or small tablets to organize rarely used cables, earbuds and adapters.

Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Settings My Profile Sign Out. Search Go. Four questions to ask before throwing away a product box It's not easy to depart with a crisp, new product box. Sharon Profis , Taylor Martin.