The Curious Craigslist Market For Empty Phone, Laptop Boxes

By Elise Hu

Published September 5, 2013 at 4:10 PM CDT

Boxes of the new iPhone 5 are displayed at an Apple Store. On Craigslist, used, empty boxes are offered for at least $10.

A quick scan of Craigslist reveals a curious market for not just smartphones and computers but the empty packaging of smartphones and computers. On my local Craigslist, a MacBook Pro box — "box only," as the sales pitches read — goes for $19. A MacBook Air box will cost you $15. And a Samsung Galaxy S4 box sells for $10.

This box market seems limited to the smartphone, tablet and computer packaging, and not boxes for, say, televisions or jewelry. Sure, a lot of computer packaging can be impressive in its engineering to fit all components snugly. But $19 for a box? What's going on here? We're hoping you can tell us.

A screen grab from a "box only" ad on Craigslist. It's not the only such ad that you'll find.

Science & Technology

Elise Hu

Elise Hu is a host-at-large based at NPR West in Culver City, Calif. Previously, she explored the future with her video series, Future You with Elise Hu, and served as the founding bureau chief and International Correspondent for NPR's Seoul office. She was based in Seoul for nearly four years, responsible for the network's coverage of both Koreas and Japan, and filed from a dozen countries across Asia.

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