FAQs
Have any questions? Please let us know.
General Questions
All of the above! We use these terms interchangeably. We mostly call them “totes,” when we’re talking about them aloud, but with a name like Totally Crate!, we decided to use “crates” on our website as often as possible. You may also notice that we decided to refer to our different sized crates with different terms: the smallest size is a “Book Bin,” the medium is a “Common Crate,” the large is a “Titan Tote,” and there are also “Gigantinormous” crates available ‘A-La-Crate!’ All sizes come in multiple colors so that you can color code your belongings as needed.
Because Crately Tote sounded ridiculous. Plus, we rent reusable totes and crates, and we are totally great! Chalk it up to our mom humor! We think we’re pretty punny.
There isn’t one! Our crates are low cost, convenient, hassle-free, eco-friendly, and sturdier than cardboard boxes – and they’re cheaper too!
You can order online from us 24/7. We strive to return all emails, calls and texts within 24 hours. Deliveries and pick-ups are as scheduled, typically between 8am-8pm Thursday-Monday. If you need a delivery outside of the times available, please contact us.
Yes! You may text our phone number if you prefer not to call. It is locally monitored by the owners and employees of Totally Crate! This includes replying to us when we give you a heads-up text that your order is being prepared or that we are on our way.
No. That’s on you. But we can recommend some crate, erm great, movers to help you.
Yes, and mention it to the movers when you book them. Movers love them because they stack nicely and are easy to move!
Carefully! Use scarves, towels, extra plastic or cloth bags around your items so that they’re cushioned from bumps. You could also purchase extra packing materials like packing paper, dish separators, etc. through our ‘A-La-Crate’ options when you book with us!
We will happily take your clean, gently used household goods to one of our charitable organization partners if you selected a product that includes that service at the time of checkout. You’ll also have the option to add on (for free) a limited number of Community Cares Crates specifically designated for you to fill with donations that we will deliver to one of our community partners. If you have already placed an order and would like to add a Community Cares Crate, please contact us.
Renting
At least 2 weeks in advance is advised to ensure we have enough crates for your moving needs. If you are hoping to get them within 48 hours, contact us and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Our packages are based on cubic footage of a household that has a moderate amount of items. If you are a maximalist and have lots of belongings, you may need to add an additional ‘A-La-Crate’ stack or two.
▪ Rentals start at 2 weeks and can be extended weekly for a charge. It’s best for your wallet if you return them within 2-8 weeks!
▪ When you place your order, you have the ability to choose your delivery and pick-up dates. If you are not ready to return them at the end of your rental period, you can contact us to see if we have availability to extend your rental.
▪ Recommended rental lengths:
• 1 Bedroom home: 2 weeks
• 2 Bedroom home: 3 weeks
• 3 Bedroom home: 3 weeks
• 4 bedroom home: 4 weeks
You pick the delivery date and time as well as the pick-up date and time, so schedule your rental for as long as you need. But if you find you need extra time, don’t worry about it, our accountant is keeping track and you will be automatically billed for each additional week you keep the crates. You will need to call us to reschedule your pick-up, though.
Absolutely! We do charge a $50 re-delivery fee but we can pick them up with your original order for free.
You will be charged 80% of the price upon checkout. Don’t worry, we won’t leave you guessing on the rest! After your order is received, we will email you an invoice for the remainder, which is due at least 24 hours in advance of your delivery time.
Is this totes great or what? Yes, it’s Totally Crate!
Deliveries/Pick-Up
Yes. We cannot deliver or pick-up without access to your home or business. We wouldn’t want them to roll away if left unattended! Please have an adult present. If we are unable to deliver or pick-up, we will have to reschedule and a $50 re-delivery fee will be assessed.
It is not expected, but we will not say no. Don’t expect extra service, though, because we already go the extra mile for you!
- Not an extra one! Delivery has already been calculated into the package price when within our service area.
- Those whose move includes pick-up and/or delivery outside of our service area will incur an additional fee based on round-trip mileage and time spent delivering.
- Re-deliveries will also incur a $50 fee.
Yes, for an extra fee. We will charge $15 per flight of stairs, per delivery, when no elevator or ramp is available.
All ZIP codes within Albuquerque and select surrounding areas. For specific locations, see our Locations page.
Yes. Call us to reschedule! Our policy is that you will not get a refund if you return them early, but if it is a ridiculous amount of time early, talk to us. We’ll see what we can do!
Products
Yes. Visit our shop to order! They’ll be in the ‘A-La-Crate’ section.
- In general, light-weight items should go in the larger crates and heavier items should go in smaller crates. We recommend lifting the crates periodically as you pack to make sure you don’t overload them in weight or hurt yourself when they’re full.
- Storage Space Volume of each crate:
- Small (Book Bins) – 0.6 cubic feet
- Medium (Common Crates) – 1.7 cubic feet
- Large (Titan Totes) – 4 cubic feet
- Extra Large (Gigantinormous) – 6.1 cubic feet
- Small (Book Bins) – 13.8″ x 8.9″ x 8.8″
- Medium (Common Crates) – 19.8″ x 13.6″ x 11.8″
- Large (Titan Totes) – 26″ x 19″ x 14″
- Extra Large (Gigantinormous) – 28.7″ x 20.8″ x 18.8″
- Smally Dolly – For Medium Crates – 20″ x 14″ x 6″ (Can also be used for 2 small crates side by side)
- Poly Dolly – For Large Crates – 26″ x 19″ x 11″
- Dolly Dolly – For Extra Large Crates – 28″ x 20″ x 6″
- Available For Purchase:
- Traditional bubble wrap and an eco-friendly bubble wrap alternative, honey-comb packing paper
- 100% recycled packing paper
- Cardboard wardrobe boxes
- Zip-Ties (single use or reusable)
- Laundry bags
- Quilted vinyl glass and plate storage kits
- Crates, when we have a surplus
- Dollies including crate dollies, handtrucks, furniture dollies, stair dollies, and convertible dollies
- Mattress Carrying Bags
- Moving Blankets
- Moving Straps
- Available For Rent:
- Laundry bags
- Corrugated plastic wardrobe boxes (coming soon!)
- Quilted vinyl glass and plate storage kits
- Mattress bags (reusable poly tarp with handles)
- Moving straps for lifting
- Handtrucks, furniture dollies, stair dollies, and convertible dollies
- Extra crate dollies made for crates
- Extra crates
- Moving Blankets
Yes. While we like our puns, we know securing your belongings is no funny business. Each crate can be secured with zip ties, hook & loop strips, or even string to ensure they do not accidently pop open before arriving at your new home. Zip ties are the most tamper-evident solution, though if you don’t need this level of security, we encourage you to use something more reusable and sustainable.
Nothing alive, nothing dead, nothing illegal!
We sanitize them in between uses, but if we need to clean up gross messes or sticky residue from using your own labels, then you will be charged an incidental cleaning fee. See our incidental fees sections for specific pricing.
We clean all of our crates with sanitizer after every use, and we use an eco-friendly detergent for messier messes!
Please do not! You will be charged an extra fee if we have to remove labels or sticky residue.
- We offer numerous ways to give back to our community. Our Incrateable Donations & Subscriptions consist of 3 options:
- Community Cares Crates are specific crates designated to collect specified types of goods that we deliver to designated community partners. These can be added to rental packages at checkout.
- Incrateable Donations are part of rental packages we offer that include pick-up of a designated number of crates filled with clean, gently-used donation items we will take to a charitable organization of your choice or to one of our partners.
- Incrateable Subscriptions are a monthly subscription service offered where you can rent a crate, fill it with gently used goods, and we’ll come once a month to pick up the goods and take them for charitable donation on your behalf.
- If you would like to become a community partner, please contact us!
Ok, I’m convinced. This is Totally Crate!
Incidental Policies and Fees
We don’t blame you, our crates are pretty and handy, but you will be charged for every crate you keep. See “incidental fees” below for specific fees.
You will be charged for each destroyed crate. Use the melted crate remains as a cool trophy! See “incidental fees” below for specific fees.
Check behind the dryer near the lost socks for the missing crate. But, if you don’t find it, you will be charged for each lost crate. See “incidentals” below for specific fees.
We’ve already taken into account the fact that we will be sanitizing every crate between every order. If you leave the crates extra messy, though, you will be subject to a charge of $20 per hour for every EXTRA hour of cleaning required. And be warned, we are meticulous and detailed, so we take our time cleaning and sanitizing each crate.
- $25 – Small crates (Book Bins)
- $35 – Medium crates (Common Crates)
- $45- Large crates (Titan Totes)
- $150 – Extra-large crates (Gigantinormous)
- $125- Smally dollies
- $165- Poly dollies
- $145- Dolly dollies
- $70 – Wardrobe boxes
- Download full incidental fee list
*These prices may be higher than crates available for purchase ‘A-La-Crate’ since the ‘A-La-Crate’ pricing reflects our extra stock.
$20 per hour for extra cleaning. We normally clean and sanitize each crate after each use, but if we have to go above and beyond to clean the crates after your use, you will be subject to this fee.
Other Billing Questions
Yes! We try to be upfront and transparent about the total cost to you. You can budget for your move with confidence knowing you will be paying the exact list price.
The cost shown is the final cost to you! It already includes tax and delivery for those who live within our service area! The only extra fees you may see are for delivery outside our area, delivery involving stairs without an elevator or ramp available, a rescheduled or missed delivery resulting in a second delivery date and time, missing or damaged crates, or if the crates require extra cleaning above and beyond our normal cleaning procedures.
No, because we will not be handling your belongings at any time. But if you rent a moving truck, or hire professional movers, they can offer insurance for your goods during the move.
If you call and give us notice of your cancellation at least 48 hours before your reserved delivery date and time, we will be able to cancel your order and refund any deposits paid. If you cancel less than 48 hours prior to delivery, you will still be charged a delivery fee, but the remainder of your package deposit will be refunded. The delivery fee alone is $50.
We will refund a package deposit if a package delivery is canceled with at least 48 hour notice. We will not refund any charges for crates received and returned early.
Nope. We do our best to help guide you to the right size package for you. Try to order the smallest package that will suit your needs. You can order online or call us if you need more!
Our policy is that you will not get a refund if you return them early, but if it is a ridiculous amount of time early, talk to us. We’ll see what we can do!
If you missed a pick-up from us and have not yet rescheduled, then you have been charged for an extra week. Please be sure to schedule pick-up within this week to avoid another charge.
You will be charged 80% of the price upon checkout. Don’t worry, we won’t leave you guessing on the rest! After your order is received, we will email you an invoice for the remainder, which is due at least 24 hours in advance of your delivery time.
All my questions have been answered!