Should you keep the origonal boxes for your gear?

[Jack Master]

Is there any benefit to keeping the original box your gear comes in?
I could, possibly, understand keeping the rifle or firearm box but how about your scopes, spotter, binoculars, rangefinder, etc...

What boxes do you keep and why? Can I throw most of mine out?

 

[KyleJ]

I keep the box for anything I might resell down the road. Specifically scopes and occasionally rifle boxes. I use to keep the boxes for every sizable purchase but that's just not possible anymore.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Ill keep scope boxes and the like. Rifle boxes are too big and get trashed because I’m not in the business of selling rifles. I buy to keep.

 

[McNamara0851]

I keep boxes for anything that I might resell, to make shipping easier., mainly scopes. I have a 2x3x4’ cubby hanging from the ceiling in my reloading room that is plumb full of empty boxes. That being said I wouldn’t pay someone extra for a used item just because they’re a damn pack rat and kept the original packaging.

 

[021411]

Just be glad you're not into knife collecting. It's been awhile since I've purchased a premo knife but at one point people were requesting that the packing peanuts on Hinderer knives be included. I'm not fucking kidding. They were like gold or some shit.
But yes save for possible resale. The boxes shouldn't be needed for warranty claims though.

 

[Shadow knows]

sometimes the box is all the difference in the sale. Sometimes it’s just a box.

 

[DaleGribble82]

sometimes the box is all the difference in the sale. Sometimes it’s just a box.

That sir is a fact.

 

[The DFC]

Gun and scope ones mainly.

 

[DaleGribble82]

I keep everything that comes with the stuff, boxes manuals warranty cards etc. I don’t know why I do it, but I do it, I don’t buy to sell but occasionally I do trade, and I’ve noticed that when bartering having all of that stuff goes along way. Just my two cents. This is just regarding firearms and optics. Occasionally if it’s a high end accessory I’ll keep that stuff as well.

 

[The DFC]

I keep everything that comes with the stuff, boxes manuals warranty cards etc. I don’t know why I do it, but I do it, I don’t but to sell but occasionally I do trade, and I’ve noticed that when bartering having all of that stuff goes along way. Just my two cents.

I do that too-especially with guns. I never use any of it either-even the magazine etc. I just keep it all bagged up exactly as I got it.

 

[sgtsmmiii]

Gun and scope ones mainly.

Same here.

 

[DaleGribble82]

I do that too-especially with guns. I never use any of it either-even the magazine etc. I just keep it all bagged up exactly as I got it.

Wasn’t sure if that was sarcasm or not lol. Are you saying you don’t use the factory magazines that come with your weapons?

 

[TmisterE]

I always keep boxes for handguns & scopes all the original manuals & stuff that comes with it, had an old smith that the guy was impressed to get all the original stuff & paid me my full asking price, long gun boxes I don't keep if I ever were to sell which is rare they just get the gun, if shipping just get a chepo plano case & pack up well to ship.

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

If you think you might ever sell it keep the box. If you don't care about resale then pitch it.

I tend to experiment and always keep the box. Bought and sold several firearms and accessories and never lost a penny because I saved the box ...I could offer a LNIB Glock 43 (or whatever) just like it shipped originally for $50 less than list (but more than I paid for it) because it was Like new in Box with all accessories and paper.

VooDoo

 

[The DFC]

Wasn’t sure if that was sarcasm or not lol. Are you saying you don’t use the factory magazines that come with your weapons?

I'm talking AR platform and I have a million mags so I just leave the goody package that comes with a new rifle in the box. I was tempted to use the KAC one that came with my LPR though

 

[DaleGribble82]

I'm talking AR platform and I have a million mags so I just leave the goody package that comes with a new rifle in the box. I was tempted to use the KAC one that came with my LPR though

Gotcha ?? makes sense to me.

 

[Alpine 338]

I save most boxes, not only for resale, but if I have to ship for warranty repair purposes. Some people make a big deal about the original box, and when I was into collectable firearms, having the original box added substantial value. You never know, 20-years from now when precision rifles are called sniper weapons, and laser Range finders are called sniper tools, and all banned, your Nikon LRF may be worth a small fortune with the original box.

 

[gac700]

Yes. I was told long ago by a Colt, Browning (all Belgium), Winchester, and military collector to keep the box. Due to that advice, I also have box collections.

 

[Nik H]

I keep it all. Comes in handy if you ever need to repair.

As others have said, can help a lot should you ever want to sell.

 

[eklarsen]

You are not buying near enough stuff if you have room to keep the original boxes. Please correct this immediately.

 

[DaleGribble82]

You are not buying near enough stuff if you have room to keep the original boxes. Please correct this immediately.

Maybe we all live in mansions eklarsen ??‍

 

[Novak77]

Just be glad you're not into knife collecting. It's been awhile since I've purchased a premo knife but at one point people were requesting that the packing peanuts on Hinderer knives be included. I'm not fucking kidding. They were like gold or some shit.
But yes save for possible resale. The boxes shouldn't be needed for warranty claims though.

Crappy lock up, blade not centered. But it’s got the peanuts, I’ll take it.

He ain’t joking that’s how it was lol.

Like many of the others on here, if there’s a chance I will resell down the road I’ll keep the box. Hell I’ve even kept the peanuts ?

 

[W54/XM-388]

If you have the room, keep all the boxes for any equipment, especially stuff that one day you may want to resell.
It can help make it a bit easier to unload for a better price.

 

[Wind50cal]

Only box I ever tossed was one for a Colt “Green Label” AR-15. Now, the box is worth more than the rifle! I think it adds value to the sale if you ever move any gear.

 

[Rimfiremike]

I keep the boxes for optics for sure. I like to receive them that way if I buy used, so does anyone I've sold used optics to.

Didn't think rifle boxes needed to be saved, but sold a rifle recently and went to a local gun shop to ask them for a used empty rifle box so I could ship the rifle.
They said sorry, we need all of the boxes we have.
I was pretty shocked... it's not like I haven't spent a fair bit of money there. Maybe I need a better gunshop or should start saving a couple rifle boxes??

 

[R700Gunslinger]

I kept the original boxes for my scopes. If I remove a scope from it's rifle for any length of time I'll store that scope in it's original box.

 

[clcustom1911]

I save most boxes, not only for resale, but if I have to ship for warranty repair purposes. Some people make a big deal about the original box, and when I was into collectable firearms, having the original box added substantial value. You never know, 20-years from now when precision rifles are called sniper weapons, and laser Range finders are called sniper tools, and all banned, your Nikon LRF may be worth a small fortune with the original box.

Especially in the Democratik Peoples Republik of Kalifornia.......

 

[AverageGrunt]

All previous post got it right. Keep for scopes and anything glass for sure. Makes shipping easier

 

[DaleGribble82]

I keep the boxes for optics for sure. I like to receive them that way if I buy used, so does anyone I've sold used optics to.

Didn't think rifle boxes needed to be saved, but sold a rifle recently and went to a local gun shop to ask them for a used empty rifle box so I could ship the rifle.
They said sorry, we need all of the boxes we have.
I was pretty shocked... it's not like I haven't spent a fair bit of money there. Maybe I need a better gunshop or should start saving a couple rifle boxes??

Yep same thing happened to me. Needed to ship a rifle and couldn’t find a box anywhere to use for shipping. Ended up getting one from a Kirby vacuum place ?. They offered me the box no problem and didnt even try to sell me a vacuum ??

 

[TSpork]

Crappy lock up, blade not centered. But it’s got the peanuts, I’ll take it.

He ain’t joking that’s how it was lol.

Like many of the others on here, if there’s a chance I will resell down the road I’ll keep the box. Hell I’ve even kept the peanuts ?

Okay, not I have to know. We’re the peanuts specially marked or something?

 

[Novak77]

Okay, not I have to know. We’re the peanuts specially marked or something?

Nope they’re just fucking packing peanuts lol.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

I'll keep them and then a couple years or so down the road I get pissed off about saving all of them and throw half of them away.

 

[derk]

I always keep the boxes. Like a lot of people mentioned, if you think there’s a possibility you might sell it down the road, the box can get you twice as much as a missing box would.

 

[TSpork]

Nope they’re just fucking packing peanuts lol.

Man, I’d be wary of buying them on eBay then. You never know if they are counterfeit peanuts or not

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

I am ashamed to say that I'm somewhat of an expert in buying and selling pistols...I tend to want to try high end stuff and you can't rent one. You have to buy them t get a chance to shoot them. I'll keep the boxes and buy extra mags and goodies and baby them until I figure out if it's a keeper. If not it gets oiled up and put in the original box with a set of custom grips and a couple extra mags...maybe factory adjustable sights.

I'll consign them and often actually make money on used guns. Presentation is everything and some folks actually adore a pistol that is broken in with 500 rounds and looks better than new with extra mags and upgraded sights and stuff. Keep all the goodies and boxes.

VooDoo

 

[derk]

I am ashamed to say that I'm somewhat of an expert in buying and selling pistols...I tend to want to try high end stuff and you can't rent one. You have to buy them t get a chance to shoot them. I'll keep the boxes and buy extra mags and goodies and baby them until I figure out if it's a keeper. If not it gets oiled up and put in the original box with a set of custom grips and a couple extra mags...maybe factory adjustable sights.

I'll consign them and often actually make money on used guns. Presentation is everything and some folks actually adore a pistol that is broken in with 500 rounds and looks better than new with extra mags and upgraded sights and stuff. Keep all the goodies and boxes.

VooDoo

Preach it VooDoo. I bought a 500-round CZ P-07 with CJW pro trigger and Dawson sights for like $150 off retail. Also every old part, packaging from the trigger kit and everything was included in the case. Gun looked brand new and was pre-broken in. Idk what more you can ask for.

 

[sabrecross]

I keep all of my boxes so that I can refer to them for information if needed. Also, if I sell something, the new owner will have all the original packaging.

 

[withoutwarning]

Anything you’re going to resell yeah. Scopes and mounts. Everything else, no.

 

[Kraze]

Optics boxes and other small boxes for anything fairly valuable that might get resold, I keep the boxes in the house. Gun boxes get tossed into the spider pit, aka the crawl space of my house. If I need them down the road, I can decide if it's worth going down there to retrieve them. Other suitable places for gun boxes, or any other large box, are attics or up in the rafters in the garage. Basically, if I can store them in an out of the way place, why not keep them.

 

[fastfwd]

What boxes do you keep and why?

I keep the box and everything else until I know that I'm not going to immediately return the item. Then I keep the box if I might resell the item -- but only so long as the item remains in new or almost-new condition. "Like New In Box" is a thing. "Beat To Shit But The Box Is Still Nice" isn't.

 

[tnichols]

Nope they’re just fucking packing peanuts lol.

Also known as ghost turds

 

[R700Gunslinger]

Also known as ghost turds

Or snowman poop, that's what my daughter calls them.

 

[jinxx4ever]

my wife worked for an antique dealer 40 yrs ago when we first got married. Learned the value of the original box back then. We have a ton of antique's, guns, i also collect knives and old fishing reels,. Let's just say i have a lot of boxes.

 

[Strykervet]

I guess I'm wishy washy on it. I do have the box for a limited edition Noveske rifle. For some reason I have an AAC upper box. I have all my suppressor boxes (why? those'll never be sold!). But I'm finding out they work well for that small box you just never have laying around.

I actually tend to keep most boxes... Then reuse 'em. If I can't or they pile up, they just get recycled.

Do wish I had the box for the HTI. The M2 came in a wood case but it was cheap shit, I can do better. Not reselling that either. Not big on selling my stuff.

 

[EXTREMEPREJUDICE]

I don't know why I keep boxes for stuff I'm never going to part with...................................but I do....................it must be a sickness!

 

[Jack Master]

I don't know why I keep boxes for stuff I'm never going to part with...................................but I do....................it must be a sickness!

This is Exactly why I am asking. I have done the same thing. I'm out of space that I am willing to give to empty box storage.

I think I'll cull the "hurd" down to just rifle and scope boxes.

Throwing out the Range finder, spotter, bi-pod, and accessory boxes. Now I'll need to find a good way to store the little parts and manuals in the boxes. Anyone have a good way of doing that? I'm Thinking, maybe parts bags then into a drawer.

 

[eddie102870]

i used to but they got to taking too much room up in my shop. in the process of building a new shop so when i tore the old one down i trashed all the cardboard boxes.

 

[NET65]

Just beware, I have a Scar 16 that's new and essentially worthless because I didn't keep the box. Kidding, but no shit every person that contacted me when I had it for sale asked if I had the box, they disappeared when I told them I didn't

 

[fastfwd]

Now I'll need to find a good way to store the little parts and manuals in the boxes. Anyone have a good way of doing that?

Depends on how much you have and what you want to spend. Fishing tackle boxes are good for small numbers of small parts, and specialized storage is available for larger collections. Some examples:
https://www.grainger.com/category/s...-containers/material-handling/ecatalog/N-188c

Product manuals can just be dumped into a cardboard file storage box. Or if they're just part of an overwhelming paperwork storage problem, this will change your life:
http://www.fujitsu.com/us/products/computing/peripheral/scanners/scansnap/ix500/index.html

 

[efl15]

I would keep the box if it’s a rare or a collectors’s/limited/anniversary edition item. Otherwise, I throw it away. I do try to sell if possible such as a factory plastic pistol case.

I will have to say that I still have the cardboard box and foam from my Anschutz 1827F. Probably because it’s my most expensive factory gun.