How long do you keep Packaging/etc after a new purchase?

[quakerboy]

Poll question: How long do you keep Packaging/etc after a new purchase?

A recent thread here on Hoarding is making me question myself, given the history of such things in my own family. I do not want to let those tendancys control me, but I also do not want to second guess myself and be impulsively wasteful of things I have a legitimate use for.

As an example, I recently purchased a computer. In the box came a computer tower, a box with some paperwork, and a keyboard, and a second box with a mouse and sundry cords. On the outside of the box are various numbers and things relating to the computer. The manufacturer warranty lasts 1 year. I expect to have the computer at least 4, though you never know.

I don't need the cords, as I have duplicates of all that already in place. Ive got a keyboard I love, wireless, so the OEM mouse and keyboard are next to useless to me at this time. The paperwork is useless to anyone with even a basic ability to match plug to socket and the ability to see basic colors.

So.. How long should I keep the box it came in? How long should I hold onto the boxes of etc? What would you do? I would like your advice. And I will put it in poll form, but welcome more fleshed out responses as well.

[MiddleFingerMom]

1. Make sure you check the warranty.

.
Some manufacturers ABSOLUTELY REQUIRE that their goods be returned
in the exact same packaging with ALL initially-provided materials.
.
That's the only reason I can think of to keep the packaging, unless you
think you're going to be moving fairly frequently (handy moving boxes
custom-fit).
.

[quakerboy]

3. I can think of other reasons.

For instance, to return an item, you need the packaging and etc. In this particular case I am now out of return period, so that is no longer applicable

For a warranty return, you sometimes need original packaging. I just had to return this item to HP for repair, and they provided packaging and only wanted the tower, so that is not applicable.

When I next move, as you said, I know that I can safely pack many things back into their fitted boxes. On a monitor, that's much more important than on a computer tower, so I would rank that as not really applicable in this particular case.

As a generality, I could use the keyboard if my current one ever craps out on me. Or when someone else in my family needs one. or something. Then again, I've got 3 of these unopened OEM sets, so thats probably not terribly applicable in this particular case either.

I often try sell things that still have useful life, but no use to me, on Craigslist or Ebay. I figure it probably looks good when I go to sell something if I have the original materials, any instructions or manuals, etc. And a keyboard and whatnot, so I can keep mine, and they don't have to go spend an extra 20-50 depending on how shopping savvy they are for that.

At this Point I have ditched the original box and packaging, all but the serial stickers which I cut off and filed, but I still have the sub-boxes with accessories filed away in the back of my only closet. But I am always unsure of what to do with these. Generally I keep it until its clearly useless or until I need the space for something else. I am a saver of "potentially useful things", but periodically, I go on a shuck it all anti-materialist binge and get rid of everything I do not actively need. Getting married has curbed the worst of my excesses in either direction, but I still have the inclination, and the knowledge that I can rationalize most anything at will, and the willingness to second guess myself into insomnia over this sort of thing.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I keep the computer box for the life of the computer...

That box is very handy if I need to take the monster in for any sort of repair.

Other sorts of packing materials get tossed quickly...

Normally!

[Kali]

4. I don't purchase much new stuff, but for something pricey or electronics

I try to keep it around at least long enought in case I need it for a return - especially if they have a policy demanding original packaging, but I don't have a hell of a lot of safe storage for things like paper or cardboard (rodents) so it usually gets chucked or burned fairly fast. Now ask me about old dead tools or vehicles.:crazy:

[MicaelS]

5. End of the warranty period is my decision

That's the limit. Otherwise I find I have too many empty boxes piling up.

[gvstn]

6. I used to throw out all my boxes...Who needs them?

After a robbery at my home the insurance company wanted to know what was missing and proof. I had no idea the model number of my speakers or turntable (long time ago) or other equipment. I now save boxes for major expenditures for a period of years. And even small ones like telephones or other equipment I save for the warranty period. If you have the room I don't see a problem with it. Once you figure you have gotten your money's worth out of the product if the box isn't strong enough to be used for something else toss it.

As far as an extra cable or mouse--that sort of thing I always save. You never know if some Sunday night you might spill a drink on your keyboard and that crappy OEM one will suddenly look pretty good. ;)

Edit: The more I answer these hoarder threads I get to thinking I keep too much. In my defense I do throw out things that don't work properly. Toaster that doesn't brown nicely-->trash; CD player that skips-->trash; phone that buttons stick-->trash. I've known too many people that store those things away like they will suddenly fix themselves after a few years in the basement(Hint: it doesn't work).

[gmoney]

7. Keep photo equipment boxes for later sale

For some reason, you get a nice premium on the price if you provide the original box and packaging when you sell a camera or lens. Plus, it probably doesn't hurt for insurance purposes.

Canon actually asks that you NOT send things back in original packaging for warranty work. They want just the camera and body cap... no lens, no strap, no battery or card. I guess less to keep track of there.

[LynneSin]

8. I told my best friend she's going to be on 'Hoarders' just because she's kept all the packaging

Anything she has ever bought in her lifetime she saves the packaging. God knows when she'll move again and figures the original packaging is best for moving items (mind you the last time she moved was 17 years ago). Her daugher has threatened to submit her name for the show. I mean, if the item purchased as been a part of your family for more than 6 months and it's not a season item (like Xmas decoration - my mother saves those packages since for 11 months they go into storage) - toss the boxes.

For some bizarre reason the stuff I bought when I moved into my new house - I saved the packaging and it's still there 2.5years later. My problem is I hate going into my basement but I have a week off in May and plan to get rid of all of those boxes.

[gvstn]

10. The worst I ever saw

Was my mom's late husband. He kept the box for everything.

He had a microwave rack for cooking baked potatoes/corn-on-the-cob. He used to put the rack back into the box after each use (10 year old box that had a damp rack put into it over and over again--Yuck!). Intelligent man but just wouldn't acknowledge that it was unsanitary at best.

EEK! I've been surrounded by hoarders for years and didn't fully realize it.

[tabbycat31]

9. depends on the purchase

for something like a computer, I'd keep everything together in one of the boxes it came in (laptop box if a laptop, keyboard box if a desktop).

For others it all depends. I'm not going to keep the packaging for something like a hair clip. BUt I am keeping the packaging and everything that came with the cell phone I just bought last week. I'll keep it in the box to keep it all together.

[HipChick]

11. Not past the return by receipt date...

I just bought a new system...but found the monitor didn't meet my needs..I was over 1 day on the return by date..by they let me slid