Carton Service

I knew exactly what I needed and was in and out in less than 5 minutes.
Walked in around 20 minutes before closing time, was asked how they could help me. Said I needed packing peanuts and was directed to their selection. Man, they have options! Regular, anti-​static, recycled, compostable… I purchased a 14 cubic feet bag of new regular styrofoam peanuts for under $ 18 (I use them in the base of some planters so my pots aren’t so heavy and to improve drainage). Politely rung up lickety-​split and on my way.

Upon entry, I tried finding something myself since both reps were busy on the phone, couldn’t find the exact item, and then needed direction. So after I waited for help, I was totally blown off when I asked a question about where to find a specific size of a box, walked to a general area of the store and left. Let me explain, when shopping, I don’t need handholding, but to say «these are what we got and point to an ENTIRE WALL OF DIFFERENT SIZED BOXES with no direction toward the one I told you I was looking for, and call it customer service, would be a lie.
I also am not in the habit of giving negative reviews unless it’s over the top rude. Later during my purchase, the same person proceeded to tell me, after asking about their return policies, that if I didn’t return unused boxes within 2 days and pay a restocking fee, they wouldn’t return any that I didn’t end up using. (Which is perfectly fine in my opinion.) But then he then asked me if that sounded reasonable, like it was a debatable issue, or possibly something I would object to? Not sure why he said that, but I replied «it’s YOUR policy, I“m just asking what it is».
What a totally weird, unnecessary way to act. There is absolutely no reason to act the way he did, especially in a retail atmosphere. It would exhaust me to act this rudely on a daily basis, yet from the reviews for this place, it seems that this may be the way this person acts all the time.

I see there are some mixed reviews here, so I thought I would relate my experience today.
We were greeted by two guys, and one (Markus) jumped right up to help us. We were looking for a box with an unusual dimension for a guitar we need to ship. Markus looked high and low and didn’t give up, finally finding us the perfect box. I thought the service was outstanding.
Not only that, we learned they have an amazing inventory of used (almost perfect condition) boxes for SUPER cheap. They have book-​box bundles for less than .65 a box. Packing supplies and packing peanuts and other assorted filler in giant plastic bags that stand at least 4 ft tall, most priced at $ 15 a bag. Unbelievable.
We came for a guitar box, we left knowing we’d drive from Washougal, WA to buy moving supplies next time we move. 5 stars!

Great selection of boxes, just don’t expect friendly helpful service — the guys up front are cool hipster dudes and don’t have time for your silly questions and pesky purchases.

Have shopped here many times in the past 15 years, never a problem.
This time I had to exchange one single unused box I purchased from them three days ago, and got treated rudely.
The fast taking cashier said «we have a 20% recycling fee», I responded that the box was new, he said «when did you buy it», I replied three days ago, he said «It doesn’t matter, it’s still a 20% recycling charge, it’s right there on the wall».
At that point I know this guy is a problem, I haven’t asked for anything, I just need a box that is a different size and didn’t really care if I had to pay extra. I made it clear to him I thought he was rude, got the box I needed (which was smaller), and went back up front.
He felt the need to force me to apologize to him before he would ring me up. I paid the difference and left. Will never go back.

Selection: 5 stars
Anything you would need for moving/​boxes/​packing at super reasonable prices. I liked that they had used and new boxes to choose from.
Two guys up front: 2 stars
Did not greet me, acted as if I was interrupting their personal playdate and when I asked a question they said ‘see that little monitor over there, its over there’ and I said ‘umm, no I don’t see it’ to which he replied ‘you can’t miss it’…so I had to search around for quite a while. I’m not asking for much, but if anyone that works there is reading this, a little training for these two ‘gentlemen’ wouldn’t hurt.
Lady who helped me out to my car: 5 stars
This woman clearly saw that the two guys up front were dropping the ball. She was super pleasant and ran over to help me with the boxes out to my car. It was really appreciated!
Would definitely recommend but don’t expect to be blown away with service (or general courtesy) by the two guys up front.

I am a fan of this place, for sure. Used and new boxes, affordable prices. Packing supplies galore. Mattress bags. Tape selection. Everything you would need for moving/​storage/​etc. Highly recommend it. The employees were not overwhelmingly friendly, but they did help with my questions and pointed me in the direction of the products that I needed. Got all of my supplies for under $ 40.
Parking is a tiny bit confusing at first, but just look for the signs posted.

I wanted to like this place, but was really put off by the rudeness of two of the guys who worked there. This is a business that would benefit from being way more customer friendly.

If you need boxes, this place sells boxes. That’s the best I can say about it. We were rushing around trying to get ready for our move so we were a little stressed out and, a few minutes after we walked in, the guy behind the counter («PH» on our receipt) asked me a question. He spoke quietly so it wasn’t totally clear, but I thought he was asking for my name. I gave him my name, and he mumbled something like «I guess the answer is ‘no’ then.» Huh? I’m guessing they sell to some of the same businesses and individuals repeatedly so they must have accounts for some of their customers. But… it definitely wasn’t the friendliest way to greet a new customer who’s trying to get oriented in your store. How about asking, «Have you been here before? What can I help you find?»
ANYWAY, beyond that, their prices didn’t seem all that cheap to me and, even though we bought some used boxes, the same guy rang them up as higher-​priced newer boxes. In his defense, they’re all brown cardboard, but he could’ve asked me rather than just give me the grand total after ringing everything up. If I hadn’t questioned why the total was so high, we would’ve walked out of there paying more than we needed to.
Bottom line: I like that they’re locally owned and — in the end — we got what we came for, but don’t expect to be blown away by their service or their prices.

Plenty of different sizes of cardboard boxes at the this store. If you need a fairly specific size this is the place to go, you can find almost any size here. They also sell packing materials like peanuts, as well.

Super helpful and friendly staff. My 12 year old wanted a «box to sleep in». He did not want a coffin (I offered), so I went here and was shown a perfect tray box!

This place is a ripoff. You can get everything cheaper and with better quality at a U-​haul store, for example, the one on SE 50^th Ave. and Powell. They will even give you free used boxes, often in excellent condition, the same ones the Carton Service overcharges you for! I think Carton Service preys on Pearl District condo dwellers who don’t have time to get out of their insulated neighborhood.

I’ve used this store twice for shipping and moving materials. I’ll never buy boxes at a chain shop like UPS store, etc again. Carton Services has everything. They have many used and surplus boxes. If that works for your needs, these are 1/3−½ the price of new boxes. I have also bought shipping supplies here for a large international shipments. Really good experience both times. The receptionist is super helpful.

An amazing one-​stop shop for moving supplies.
I made a visit to carton service today to pick up the necessary moving materials to move a one-​bedroom apartment. I would recommend this place to anyone that is moving or has a need for boxes or shipping material.
I got everything I needed for my one bedroom apartment move for about $ 50, including 25 small/​medium boxes, 3 large boxes, a roll of stretchy film, 10lbs of packing paper, and two queen size mattress bags. The moving company I am using requires the stretchy film and mattress bags and charges $ 80 for those items alone.
They have every size/​shape moving box you can think of, some for as low as $.60 each (there might have even been some for less that I didn’t see). They have a great selection of used/​surplus boxes which help to keep costs low.
I wasn’t in need of this, but noticed huge bags of packing peanuts and surplus/​used packing foam. They also have various foam sleeves for dishes and of course tape, box cutters, packing paper, etc. Everything you could ever need.
If you are moving, check this place out before you pay too much somewhere else.
And for goodness sake, spend $ 5 on a mattress bag before putting the thing on which you sleep through the torture of being drug on the dirty ground or thrown in the back of a dirty truck.

I found this place about a year ago while I was searching high and low for the best price (like an unemployed guy should) on 5 gallon buckets with lids. Home Depot and those stores wanted around $ 4, someone on Craigslist wanted $ 2.50 but they were a state away in Vancouver. Carton Service, $ 1. Done.
Since then I’ve been back about a hundred times, buying bags of packing peanuts, boxes, boxes, more boxes, and roll after roll of bubblewrap. Great prices on new and used boxes and supplies and a friendly staff.

I love Carton Services — If I ever need boxes or bubble wrap, this is where I come. Boxes are cheap and well-​built, as long as you don’t care what it says on the outside (A lot of the boxes are surplus or used). They have a huge selection of sizes and configurations. If you need boxes that are blank outside, they can help with that too.
The used packing materials are what I love the best. You can get a giant bag of assorted bubble wrap bits, ranging from single sheets of small bubble to 6 feet of large bubbles and sometimes there are specialty types like pouches and such. The bag is about 4 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter and costs around $ 10. That is such a good price!
The service is friendly and helpful and loading your car is easy. If you need boxes and supplies for shipping or moving or storage, I highly recommend Carton Services.

Boxes make the world go. For small boxes your standard mailing and shipping outlet, the postal service, FedEx, and UPS, shippers have expensive and convenient boxes. Same for UHaul. Expensive and convenient. Then every store is getting rid of them continually and many are reusable. Free and not so convenient.
But if you need specialized boxes, moving boxes, custom boxes, Carton Service is the place in Portland. Recently they quoted some custom size double wall boxes for a ridiculously reasonable price. They have even more specialized items like drums, plant trays, berry flats and mountains of recycled styro peanuts.
If you are moving, it’s a great source for unusual boxes, like wardrobes and mattress boxes, often available used.
Their warehouse is cavernous with pallets of flattened boxes stacked to the ceiling in every size. Family owned in Portland, and the same family rents artist warehouse spaces at artist-​friendly rates in the coolest buildings in town to many friends. They have even let artist friends put on a performance in their warehouse!
The best source in Portland for specialized boxes, or large quantities if you are a business that needs that. Good fair people.