What Fits in a Box?
THIS STORAGE SCHOLARS BOX FITS:
Please Read Carefully!
BEFORE YOU TAPE THOSE BOXES SHUT, TAKE A BIRDS-EYE VIEW PHOTO OF THE CONTENTS. To ensure we pick up the correct items and keep the contents of your boxes fully insured, we need a photo of each item and a description uploaded to your account.
Ex: 4 boxes, 1 futon, and 1 cooler would be considered 6 items total and require 6 images to be uploaded before pick-up! Go to here to access your account and upload the images there under your order for this year.
Follow the steps below to keep your items fully insured!
1. Upload a photo of EACH ITEM INDIVIDUALLY before the boxes are taped shut.
2. Describe the contents and estimated value.
3. Purchase additional insurance coverage on your most valuable items if you wish!
*Failing to upload photos of items or uploading photos of multiple items in one picture will result in a forfeiture of insurance*
Taping plastic bins together increases the likelihood of damage dramatically. Although plastic bins are excellent and convenient containers for any dorm room, they are not built to withstand high pressure and weight, especially when on a moving truck. Plastic bins taped together are marked as separate items and we ask that you please avoid this so we can keep them in pristine condition for your future years at school.
When we are picking up some items to be shipped home and other items to be stored, they MUST be properly labeled for our team to distinguish. Boxes being shipped home should have a separate item count from those being stored. Additionally, be sure to circle/label boxes for shipping clearly by circling “Yes” next to “Shipping."
Example: If you are storing 4 boxes and a TV and shipping 2 boxes home for the summer…
Stored items: (1 of 5) (2 of 5) (3 of 5) (4 of 5) (5 of 5)
Shipped items: (1 of 2) (2 of 2)
*Reminder - all boxes bound for shipping should be labeled in a color marker while the rest of the items are to be labeled in a black marker.
Once you receive your supply kit you are welcome to do whatever you would like with any extra supplies that you have. Just make sure that if a friend uses our boxes for storage that they have their own account.
It may be hard to believe, but we can’t tell you how many people leave their TV or monitor completely unprotected on pick-up day. We would hate to see something happen to these valuable items so we require them to be packed in a TV box or the original box that the item came in. If these items are not packed in the above manner, insurance on the items will be forfeited so please do everything you can to protect them!
In constructing and sealing your boxes, please apply tape liberally. You will need at least three strips of tape for both the top and the bottom of the box. Do not use masking tape or string. A roll of heavy-duty packing tape is included with each box order, and we expect it to be used heavily!
DON’T tape multiple bins together, but DO tape them shut, so they don’t open in transit! We recommend you fill your bins before filling up boxes to maximize the bang for your buck!
Always protect your electronics like TVs, Printers, and Microwaves by wrapping them in packing paper, bubble wrap, or even your clothes!
Make sure your carpets and rugs are rolled tightly, secured with tape along with three points, and covered in plastic if you want to keep them free from dust.
Be sure to tape all drawers closed and cover the finished surfaces with plastic or cardboard to prevent minor scratches during handling. Store any loose hardware in one of your boxes.
Separate the shelves from the frame, and tape them together tightly. Store any loose hardware in one of your boxes.
Ensure that these items are locked or securely taped to prevent the contents from spilling during handling. Suppose you’re nervous your label will fall off. In that case, we recommend putting your label on a luggage tag and then putting another label on the suitcase's body, then taping around the circumference multiple times!
Please write your name in marker on the tags of mattresses and box springs in addition to a Storage Scholars label as tags tend to fall off this material! Mattress bags are provided at pickup for an additional $10 charge per mattress/box spring.
Disassemble, fold, and tape the pieces together. If there are any screws, make sure to tape these very well to the side of the bed frame. Don’t forget to place a label on it as well!
Unplug your fridge TWO DAYS before move-out. Make sure your fridge is completely defrosted and dry at the time of pickup. Secure loose items inside the refrigerator. Tape the door shut. Bundle and tape the power cord to the back of the fridge, behind the cooling coils, so it is not “dangling” on the ground. PLEASE NOTE: Storage Scholars reserves the right to refuse the pickup of refrigerators that have not been unplugged for a minimum of two days before pickup. These refrigerators can potentially cause mold and mildew damage to boxed items belonging to other customers. Please make sure the fridge is unplugged two days before the scheduled pickup to ensure our team can store the item. Unthawed fridges are subject to an upcharge.
Avoid the following mistakes that could incur additional fees
1. Not being ready when our crew arrives for your pick-up ($50) - It is expected that you will be fully packed up at the BEGINNING of your selected time window. If our crew arrives and has to make an additional trip later in the day, a fee will be added to compensate.
2. Improperly packed order requiring repacking from our team - ($50) - If there are significant packing errors (TV with no protection, loose unboxed items on the bed/floor etc.) and our team needs to repack it to transport it safely, we will do so to ensure the items are protected and a fee will be added to compensate.
3. Not returning unused Storage Scholars boxes - ($10/box) - If you request boxes that you didn't end up using for storage, do not give them away to friends. If you return any unused boxes upon pick up, there will be no additional charges.
4. Not defrosting your mini-fridge 48 hours in advance prior to pick-up - ($50) - If our team arrives to pick up your mini-fridge and finds it full of ice/water, it puts other nearby items at risk for water damage. We'll have to defrost it separately and will not be able to transport it to our facility.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS WHEN PACKING YOUR BOXES FOR SHIPPING AND STORAGE:
Use the original boxes to pack computers and other electronics. They are the correct size, and the original packing materials, if kept, will help ensure the safety of the contents.
Use plastic wrap, towels, blankets, newspapers, or clothes to pack fragile items such as picture frames, mugs, alarm clocks, etc.
Please make certain that items in the boxes are secure enough to not move around inside. Use clothing, towels, blankets, or crumpled newspaper to fill open spaces.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU PACK. THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT SHIP OR STORE WITH STORAGE SCHOLARS BECAUSE WE DO NOT INSURE THEM AGAINST LOSS OR DAMAGE:
Jewelry, coins, cash, and collectibles.
Items of intangible or intrinsic value.
Improperly packed items, including furniture that is not adequately wrapped.
DISTRIBUTE WEIGHT EVENLY:
To avoid over-stressing the boxes (and our hardworking student workers), we suggest that you separate your heavy items into multiple boxes. This will prevent breaking boxes and breaking backs.
Don’t put all of your books in the same box.
Mix books with lighter items such as sweaters and bedding. This is also a good way to keep your books in good condition.
It is also a good idea to place the heavier objects as close to the center of the box as possible to reduce the risk of breaking the box.
Boxes weighing more than 70 pounds may incur additional fees. Thoughtful packing will reduce the risk of damage and save you money!
Resources
Write the following information directly on your Storage Scholars boxes or use one of our sticker labels:
Items in a mixed shipping/storage order receive a separate item count.
