Amazon Aims to Rid "Wrap Rage"

[Rob Williams]

From our front-page news:

Running to pick up a cool new gadget or even something simple, like a PC microphone, can be a fun experience. At least until you realize that you need a machete to tear through the tightly-sealed clamshell packaging. Though I don't have quotes, I do recall at one point reading that multiple people are rushed to the emergency room each year simply because they cut themselves bad enough on this packaging. Nuts!

Well I think it goes without saying that this type of packaging is needless. While it normally does do a great job in keeping our latest toys protected, it's needless that the only way to open them is with a box cutter or scissors. Luckily enough, it seems Amazon is keen to eliminate this packaging as well, and have launched a new program called "Frustration-Free Packaging", where they work with manufacturers to use simpler packaging that might not look as snazzy, but is far easier to open. Oh, and an added bonus is that it uses way less material.

All I can say is, "about time!", and I really hope to see this catch on fast. I'll admit that while typical packaging looks great, there is so much waste, and as we can see here, it's really not needed. So far, companies to jump on board are Mattel, Fisher-Price, Microsoft and Transcend... with hopefully more en route.

Amazon is working with leading manufacturers to deliver products inside smaller, easy-to-open, recyclable cardboard boxes with less packaging material (and no frustrating plastic clamshells or wire ties). One of the first products to launch with Frustration-Free Packaging is the Fisher-Price Imaginext Adventures Pirate Ship, which is now delivered in an easy-to-open, recyclable cardboard box.

Source: Amazon "Frustration-Free Packaging" Page
​

 

[Kougar]

You use a machete??? I just use a pair of small garden sheers.

But yeah I totally agree with you, its about time. Companies get to save on costs, environment gets to be saved a bit, and most of all... Amazon is going to be saving on shipping costs doing this I'm sure. Sneaky.

 

[moon111]

To me the true meaning of Christmas is going over to the In-laws, taking hours unpacking toys for the kids, eating dinner and getting out without having to engage family members you don't like once! If they do this, we'd have to ... talk? UGH! Maybe I'll cut myself bad enough to warrent a rush to the emergency room! LOL

 

[Rob Williams]

It's true Kougar... Amazon will definitely be the largest beneficiary here, without question, haha. Still, it works to everyone's favor, so it's hard to complain.

To me the true meaning of Christmas is going over to the In-laws, taking hours unpacking toys for the kids, eating dinner and getting out without having to engage family members you don't like once! If they do this, we'd have to ... talk? UGH! Maybe I'll cut myself bad enough to warrent a rush to the emergency room! LOL

Haha! You might just want to shop somewhere other than Amazon then.

 

[madstork91]

I once heard that some countries in Europe require the companies from the US and the like that ship products with Styrofoam packaging to unpack their products and ship the Styrofoam back home.

Meaning that things like T.v.'s and the like were shipped, unpacked, and the packaging shipped home. I think this included some types of cardboard as well.

 

[Merlin]

Nothing like buying something new and then trying to get it out of the package.
It WAS CD' and DVD's. now it's everything.
They say it is to detour shoplifting, but what about the people that actually buy the product.
I think the numbers of theft are lower than the ones that make the purchase.
Now we almost need stitches after opening most products.
Blood stains of a new product, a rush from the blood letting, an old practise maintained by the modern polycarbonate packaging.

Merlin

 

[On_Wisconsin]

They say it is to detour shoplifting, but what about the people that actually buy the product.

Replace shoplifting with pirating and you have DRM

 

[Rob Williams]

Music is one thing in particular that bugs me... along with some movies. I hate the stupid stickers that cover the top and/or bottom and require to be cut off first. More often than not, it's a pain to remove, and sometimes leave residue. As if the plastic wrapper wasn't enough... what's a little tape going to do to a determined shoplifter? Not too much.

 

[madstork91]

Blood stains of a new product, a rush from the blood letting, an old practice maintained by the modern polycarbonate packaging.

Merlin

Which is actually an interesting comment. Maybe they think that if we "work hard" to open the package, then we will forget about any buyers remorse for buying the product to begin with?

Music is one thing in particular that bugs me... along with some movies. I hate the stupid stickers that cover the top and/or bottom and require to be cut off first. More often than not, it's a pain to remove, and sometimes leave residue. As if the plastic wrapper wasn't enough... what's a little tape going to do to a determined shoplifter? Not too much.

I actually leave the top plastic on, and cut through it along the line. This way I can have the option of filing them in a different position and still be able to read it from the top.