Why do people save their empty Apple boxes?

Once about 18 years ago, I was at a church rummage sale, and I think it was at the same sale (possibly two different years) when I made some impressive scores.

The first was an HP LaserJet 4 in completely working order. I hooked that thing up to a real computer and used it for years.

The second was a Mac Plus 512k, complete in box, with all original receipts for system and software, along with a newspaper clipping about a scrappy little company named Microsoft run by some guy named Gates.

The Mac Plus included a second floppy drive, Print Shop, Golf, other fantastic vintage software that I can't remember, and of course, all cables, accessories, and intact system disks required to run the machine. It was a beauty to behold, without defect or flaw, and I basically had no idea what to do with it.

Its printer interface wouldn't jibe with the LaserJet, so I couldn't exactly play around with Print Shop. I had no interest in Golf. It was a cute toy and set piece, but without any meaningful way to interface with the real modern world, it didn't do anything productive for me.

So eventually I donated it off, I think to Goodwill, but yeah, that Apple box held myriad wonders for the next person to get their hands on it!

I keep it for sending the thing in for repair or trade-in. Most other manufacturers don’t offer warranty repair in most cases like AppleCare does and they don’t offer trade-in. So there’s no point in keeping the box around.

I’m not sure anyone thinks about much of what the article presumes they do. Especially luxury and status. I seriously doubt anyone keeps a cardboard box for the prestige.

What an unusual article. Though it would be interesting to hear from someone who does keep product packaging for the reasons it enumerates. Could be eye opening.

Because I can use it to sell it online more easily?

This is a thing? I get it, the unboxing experience is fun. But I’m not saving a piece of pretty cardboard to hold pencils. That’s why I look for cigar boxes at flea markets.

It’s simple. The boxes seem too nice to throw away. It’s like when someone uses really nice wrapping paper. You unwrap it carefully to preserve it.

Where else would I keep my apples?