We use ammunition storage cases instead of eppendorf tube storage cases from science suppliers. Like these from amazon. They're like half the price compared to the ones we found in VWR, though they don't fit quite as right in the -80 (a little bulky), they're fine in the -20. These half-sized versions fit nicely in drawers. At $2 a pop we also don't really feel bad shipping eppy tubes in them to collaborators, etc.

If you ever need to cut the bottoms off of eppendorf tubes for whatever reason, dog toenail clippers are where its at.

Does anyone know of an alternative for the sponges that come with blotting transfer tanks. We have a mini trans blot and the sponges are getting nasty but I don't feel like paying BioRad $40 for them.