We have been purchasing a few items at a time since we’ve been in the states for things that we can’t get in Cameroon.  I purchased some poster frames so I can decorate our home in Cameroon with the boys art work.  The poster frames are large and I didn’t consider the problem with boxing them to ship.

Today we started boxing up items to be shipped to Cameroon via sea freight.  I went to Staples to purchase boxes.  They didn’t have a box large enough for sale to accommodate the 20″x30″ poster frames, but on the top of the aisle shelving I saw a box that had the four flaps open and it was marked on the side the size 30″ x 24″ and it said that the inside contained the small bags of bubble wrap.  I decided to be more Cameroonian than American.  I approached a sales associate and asked if I could purchase the box from the top of the aisle shelving.  The sales associate told me he couldn’t sell me the box because it originated at UPS, so Staples can’t sell a UPS box.  I asked if I could have the box and he said, “No, because we sell boxes.”  I agreed that Staples does sell boxes, however, not the size I need.  I asked what is done with the boxes they receive shipments in.  He told me the boxes are bound and tossed.  I asked again if I could purchase it and he pockets the money and I get the box.  He wouldn’t go for it.  After I left the store, I did a little dumpster diving and got a box that works for FREE.