What do you do with your boxes and instructions?

[donliu]

Im moving and I have to decide if i want to keep all my boxes and instructions. What would you do? Im having a hard time letting them go =) 

[krayzie]

I put all my sets back into the boxes in ziplock bags with the instructions when I am done with them. You could also flatten all your boxes if you need space.

[DoNotInsertIntoMouth]

I am gonna flatten all my boxes. I save any for sets that either : will appreciate, should appreciate, or I love the box.

 

Others, especially small ones, I toss.

 

I horde all instructions though.

 

 

I put all my sets back into the boxes in ziplock bags with the instructions when I am done with them. You could also flatten all your boxes if you need space.

 

Putting up a set?!?!? BLASPHEMY!

[TheOrcKing]

I would atleast keep the instructions and if you still wish on holding the boxes then flattening them as krayzie described would be fine. I have never kept a single box personally but all I do is build the set so I have no reason to save anything else besides parts & instructions honestly.

[matt1147]

I flatten and store all my boxes in those XXL ziploc bags (even the haunted house box fits).

I save and store all booklets in legal size expandable files from staples.

Takes up a little more space, but neither take nearly as much as the storing of the actual sets!!

[boxofcorey]

Keep instructions in an expandable file folder.

"Recycle" the boxes.

 

Bigger question, what do you guys do with the extra pieces? Keep them separate or toss them into your general LEGO population?

[matt1147]

I used to toss extra pieces in my loose parts, but have since had a change of heart and try to keep them together in their individual ziploc bags.

[Guest eightbrick]

I used to cut out my favorite graphics from the boxes and put them into a box, but now I consider that nothing less than sacrilege (unless you are really short on space). All my empty boxes now go onto bookshelfs sideways (they look like a Lego library - really awesome actually). If needed I do a little cosmetic work on the boxes and patch them up with some thin trans tape. For instructions, I either bag them with the sets or put them in sheet protectors and binders (currently only do this for LOTR sets as they are my favorites of Lego's current lineup and I want to keep the instructions looking spiffy for years to come. I would strongly advise against throwing out either. Good luck with the move!

[@rtisan]

Currently I have flattened my boxes (slice the tape on each end, then fold) and placed all my instructions into a plastic up. Sets with multiple instructions will be placed into Ziploc bags to keep them together, then into the tub as well. 

 

Keep instructions in an expandable file folder.

"Recycle" the boxes.

 

Bigger question, what do you guys do with the extra pieces? Keep them separate or toss them into your general LEGO population?

Definitely keep mine with regular parts. Hopefully I`ll never have to sell the sets I open (and I don`t open very many) so I don`t really care. If you were considering selling down the road, then I`d keep spare parts with the sets. Makes the listing look nicer IMO when it states "includes extras." 

[donliu]

nice to know some of you guys out there keep the box and instructions. I'm gonna keep em all =) .. the extra pieces I get from after building the set i keep them all in a single bag. 

[comicblast]

I take the box of a large LEGO, then put a bunch of flattened boxes inside. Usually the larger boxes are worth something, so breaking the seals would be a shame. Instructions I keep seperately in a regular cardboard shoebox.

[Noodlenut]

Don't throw away the instructions.  You can store those easily without taking up a bunch of space.  I'd keep all the big boxes.  When the Green Grocer had just came out, I got it and after building it, threw away the box.  The lowest price you can buy the box on bricklink is about $30 last time I checked.

[sadowsk1]

Keep the instructions, pitch the boxes.

[krayzie]

I take the box of a large LEGO, then put a bunch of flattened boxes inside. Usually the larger boxes are worth something, so breaking the seals would be a shame. Instructions I keep seperately in a regular cardboard shoebox.

I used to do this but I have accumulated too many lego sets.

[krayzie]

 

Putting up a set?!?!? BLASPHEMY!

I have been buying pretty much any set that drops below 40% off so I have way too many sets in my collection. If I built them all, I would probably fill my house with legos...

[Huskers1236]

I'm the same as most on here, keep the instructions in a tote and flatten my boxes on put them up on a shelf.  If they are the little boxes that you have to punch open, I pitch those.  I like the idea of having an organized instruction filing system in accordion folders, however. 

[wholovesboo]

I flatten and store all my boxes in those XXL ziploc bags (even the haunted house box fits).

 

This is a great idea, btw. I've been trying to find a way to keep dust off my flattened boxes, and this is perfect!

[matt1147]

Thanks! Yes, it works out very nice! I regret not saving all my boxes from childhood. This way allows me to save them all and not take up too much space either - just on the shelf in the garage.

[justafrog]

I have been buying pretty much any set that drops below 40% off so I have way too many sets in my collection. If I built them all, I would probably fill my house with legos...

 

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[akohns]

I break down many of my boxes and store them in a tub in my attic, I keep instructions in a drawer or instructions from the same theme together in large envelopes.

[StarCityBrickCompany]

Keep them all (if possible). If you have large Lego rooms, they display well. I have the boxes stacked up floor to ceiling, wall to wall - it's like Lego wallpaper.

[stackables]

Does breaking the boxes down reduce their value?

[exciter1]

Does breaking the boxes down reduce their value?

 

I personally wouldn't think so.

[matt1147]

I don't think so either - the seals are already opened on one side, so other shouldn't matter.

Personally, I think it helps preserve value - because it allows me to keep them in much better shape than if they weren't flattened. When they're flat, there's less dings and scrapes and dents. It also allows me to put them in bags, so there's less chance for dust or other damage.

[BrickGirl]

I throw all boxes and only save instructions for larger sets. I keep them in with the cardboard so they stack nicely.