Ridiculous Product Packaging

[aperio]

After working in retail security for more years than I care to remember, I completely understand the logic behind sturdy packaging for costly items... however... why is it that any more it seems like even the crappy cheap stuff is being packaged up like it was fort knox? The plastic "clamshell" packaging is that super thick, hard to cut through material, the items are secured down in the packaging with wire ties, dvd packages are taped on every side, secured with plastic tabs and on and on and on.

It's so ridiculous that now they sell "electric scissors" so you can cut through all the crap.

Half the time I think they probably spend more on the damn packaging than they do on developing their own products.

Sorry, I just find it super annoying having to spend 45 minutes trying to get a $10 item out of the box only to find it's a piece of crap that i end up returning to the store anyway.

[mandarinpeel]

i totally agree with you! it's impossible to open everything now, and usually when you do finally get it open you end up breaking it somehow! i don't know how many cracked CD cases i have!

[opinionatedfan]

Unfortunately, the stuff is so tied into the packaging because if it's not, it is very easy to steal. That's a good part of the reason you see packages like this. Having worked retail for many years, I can tell you that people will steal anything that's not nailed down and it doesn't matter what it costs. Cheap stuff is stolen just as much as expensive items.

[aperio]

Originally Posted by opinionatedfan

Unfortunately, the stuff is so tied into the packaging because if it's not, it is very easy to steal. That's a good part of the reason you see packages like this. Having worked retail for many years, I can tell you that people will steal anything that's not nailed down and it doesn't matter what it costs. Cheap stuff is stolen just as much as expensive items.

Oh believe me, I totally agree with you - I've seen 300 pound women (this is nothing but the absolute truth here) walk out with dvd players between their legs (not a pretty picture to imagine, even more horrifying - and hillarious - to witness in real life)... however in the same breath, the packaging doesn't stop people who cause a majority of the losses either. Nowadays it doesn't even slow them down too much.

The only real detterent that serves is for the little snot nosed 8th grader (no offense to you snot nosed 8th graders out there) who was going to impulse steal an item, but as far as professional shoplifters (boosters) this doesn't slow them down in the least. In fact, it doesn't deter them a bit since they steal the product, packaging in tact, to resell later.

What's the old retail saying - 20% of the people cause 80% of the losses or something like that... so at the end of the day, it's not stopping the people that are causing the majority of losses anyway, and it's annoying the people that legitimately purchase the items. Not to mention the fact that the friggin plastic can be lethal if you slice your hand across it wrong.

Okay, sorry for the continued rant. Carry on.

[spiderpig]

I agree, most thieves aren't going to bother with the packaging. I've actually gone to the custoemr service desk and asked they remove packaging on items for me after purchase. I figure they get workman's comp if they get hurt right?

[Collyweed]

Surely this type of 'secure' packaging is also more expensive than the traditional methods, which means that we consumers are paying more for a feature that we find more of a bother than anything else.

[CopyCat]

^^QFT^^



I think that we have all been aggravated by security product packaging... But you guys have failed to mention [except Collyweed] the part that aggravates me the most... And that is that the cost of all this high dollar packaging is pass right on to us the innocent consumer... I'm sure there are many small ticket items [like under a dollar] that we end up paying a third more for just because of the packaging... We are paying a third more for something we don't want or need... I hate a frinking thief, I'm all for harsher penalties... In Saudi Arabia if you get caught stealing, they cut off your hand... Now I'm not saying that is right, but they don't have a shop lifting problem in Saudi Arabia... So I see this as proof that harsher penalties do work...
I'd probably vote for caning in the city square for shop lifters...

[fidget]

You know what really bugs me? I bought one of those special scissors to break through the plastic clamshell.. but guess what they were packaged in!!! GaH! you just can't win sometimes.

[Stubblecat]

Interesting note:

Do you know why kids' toys of today are packaged like Fort Knox, as opposed to the packaging of my childhood, where you could just open the box right there in the store...?

Simple. It's shelf life.

Toys in the 70s up to the mid-80s would get pulverized on the racks by all the little monsters checking them out, and that lead to merchants returning excessive items to the manufacturer, or losing sales becuase of ripped and soiled packaging.

So the manufacturers started to hermetically seal everything in plastic and tie everything down with dozens of wires to ensure a longer shelf life without damage and fewer needless returns.

This quickly bled over to most consumer items. And here we are today.

[aperio]

It's ashame people can't just teach their kid to respect property so I don't have to pull my hair trying to navigate my way through 78 wire ties and 3 miles of tape to get to that $7.99 pair of earphones...