There is a specific type of anxiety that comes with deciding what to do with a box. Do you immediately throw it away, or do you stash it in a closet with about 20 other boxes that store little more than your own guilt? If you chuck it, you might need it for some unknown purpose in the future. But if you don't, that box might just sit in your home indefinitely. It doesn't help when it's a nice box, either, like the type your phone might have arrived in, which is likely made of thick cardboard with convenient compartments.
Luckily, or perhaps unluckily for those who have finally gathered the nerve to go on a recycling tear, there are a few practical reasons to hold onto your phone's packaging. Whether you are preparing to resell your device, returning a recent purchase, or facing an unfortunate theft, keeping that cardboard container can offer distinct advantages.
Key takeaways
- Your phone's box contains the unique 15- to 17-digit IMEI number needed if your device is stolen.
- Apple and Samsung both require original packaging for returns within their specified policy windows.
- Keeping the original box can boost your odds of reselling your phone at a good price and increase its market value.
- The original box also provides ready-to-use packaging if you need to ship your phone to a buyer or retailer.
Handling Emergencies and Theft
Hopefully, you and your phone will never part ways without your consent. However, if your device does get stolen, you will need its International Mobile Equipment Identity number. An IMEI is a 15- to 17-digit number unique to your phone, which carriers can use to identify the device and block it if it is lost or stolen. AT&T describes it as your phone's fingerprint.
One place to check for your IMEI number is the box your phone came in. While you should also be able to find it through your Apple or Google account depending on your device, grabbing that box from a drawer might be the easiest option in the heat of the moment.
Returns, Resales, and Market Value
Some less stressful scenarios might also lead you to keep your phone box. If you purchased an iPhone from Apple directly, for example, you have 14 days to return it from the day you received it, and it must be in the original packaging. Likewise, Samsung requires original packaging, and other retailers might have different policies worth checking before you trash the box.
Additionally, if you are thinking of reselling your phone at some point down the line, having its original box can come in handy. You might have saved additional cables or something like a SIM ejector tool that a new owner will want. Consumer Reports suggests the box increases the market value of the item and shows that you have taken good care of it, noting that you will already have a box ready if you need to ship your phone.
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