Amazon Launches "Frustration-Free Packaging" 353
mallumax notes Amazon's new Frustration-Free Packaging initiative. Over several years the retailer hopes to convince many of its suppliers to offer consumer-friendlier packaging. It's starting with just 19 products from Mattel, Fisher-Price, Microsoft, and Transcend. Until this program spreads to more products, better get one of these (ThinkGeek and Slashdot share a corporate overlord). From Amazon's announcement: "The Frustration-Free Package is recyclable and comes without excess packaging materials such as hard plastic clamshell casings, plastic bindings, and wire ties. It's designed to be opened without the use of a box cutter or knife and will protect your product just as well as traditional packaging. Products with Frustration-Free Packaging can frequently be shipped in their own boxes, without an additional shipping box. Amazon works directly with manufacturers to box products in Frustration-Free Packages right off the assembly lines, which reduces the overall amount of packing materials used."
lawsuits... (Score:5, Interesting)
Child-proof packaging (Score:2, Interesting)
Shoplifting (Score:5, Interesting)
The current trend in packaging was for two reasons. It allowed the consumer to actually *see* the produce he/she was getting. And it reduced shoplifting. Big box retailers (rhymes with ball-cart) pushed for these even though the consumer didn't want it.
Fortunately, sites like Amazon can now pressure manufacturers to go back to the more traditional packaging. Maybe I'll finally be able to wrap birthday gifts without needing an additional box/bag. And on Christmas morning, my hands won't be sore from opening 200 packages, cutting wire-ties and tie-wraps, and dealing with having to unscrew the frickin' battery compartments.
Good for them and all, but let's be honest (Score:1, Interesting)
They're not doing this to be consumer friendly, or environment friendly. This is about saving costs in shipping. Right now, Amazon isn't really much cheaper than Floor-Mart/Searz/Target, but they avoid sales tax (worth 5-10%), and they offer "free" shipping for >$25.
If they dropped the free shipping (especially since if you pay them $75/year as a convenience fee), then a big reason for people shopping at Amazon would be gone. So like any responsible company, they're reducing shipping costs by lowering the size and weight of what they ship. And then marketing it as "Saving the Consumer and Being Oh-So-Green".
I don't have an issue with them doing it, but let's not put them in the hall of fame for trying to cut costs.
Oh, unless they're planning on cutting the price of shipping and merchandise? Nah, I didn't think so.
A U.S. Thing? (Score:1, Interesting)
Until I moved to the U.S., I'd never had to deal with sealed clamshell packaging and the like. Certainly, in the U.K. and France, packaging is a lot more user friendly.
Re:Frustration? Try tamper free (Score:5, Interesting)
I've never injured myself with the tool used to open hard plastic clamshell packaging before.
I have, however, had my fingers or hands cut open numerous times by the cut, torn, or ripped edge of the plastic itself when the packaging finally gave way to my cutting implement. I tell you, Boy Scout training on knife safety when cutting wood or animal skins does Jack to teach you about how to open nightmare packaging.
Happens with scissors, knifes, box cutters, or whatever. It's the plastic that scratches me up. I'll admit to being a klutz, but that style of packaging is just an irritating menace.
Re:Best packaging innovation ever (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Best packaging innovation ever (Score:4, Interesting)
I'm wondering if there's a local aspect to the packaging strategy as well. In the EU, if a seller uses redundant packaging material, he has an obligation to either (a) take back all the packaging that isn't necessary to protect the product, or (b) pay what amounts to a monthly packaging tax. Most retailers still opt for (b), but at least in my country they're required to offer you a way to dispose of the excess packaging before you leave the store.
As for Amazon, I've hardly ever seen them use too much packaging. Their packets are made of recycled carton and open by pulling on a paper strap. Everything inside is exactly how I want it. I *want* the DVD cases, and the toy boxes! Getting your Legos in a bag is quite different from getting them in a flashy designed box - six sides with pictures that can show you different ways of assembling the parts.
They could get rid of the plastic wraps around the individual items, no big deal, but that's been done before, and is not news-worthy.
By the way... sometimes there's stuff in those packages that you didn't order. I got small packets of gummy bears a few times, and a "complimentary book" (twice). All in all, I can't complain.
CJ
Re:Best packaging innovation ever (Score:3, Interesting)
Most of the "welded plastic bubbles" are NOT shelf-friendly. They often have very little flatness on the bottom, are often approaching top-heavy, and if you view it from above you can see just how much space it wastes due to the front and/or back being rounded.
Though if you are using hooks, they are slightly more convenient to deal with but you can't stack as many of them on a hook as you sometimes can boxes on a shelf.
I personally can't stand needing to fight a package open. I wonder how many ER visits are due to someone trying to open said packaging with a steak knife or a scissors. I'm amazed I haven't managed to get myself at least once... some of those packages are even very hard to open with scissors. I have a tin snips I use now. MUCH better. But I shouldn't have to in the first place.
Also a PITA for the consumer and/or retailer, depending on the return policy. Either way, someone's getting shafted. The manufacturers that box things up that way are doing it to lower the return (to the manufacturer) rate. No way you're going to get that back in the packaging in resaleable condition, so either you can't return it, or the retailer accepts it back and then can't sell it. (or has to sell at an obviously-opened-box markdown)
Re:stupid fucking seal on the edge of CD's.... (Score:2, Interesting)
GP: as someone who works in retail, I HATE the reusable plastic boxes. For 15 registers we have one key to the things, so we have to get the supervisor to open it. One time when the supervisor was out to lunch it took 3 people to figure the damn thing out.
Re:stupid fucking seal on the edge of CD's.... (Score:3, Interesting)
slightly flex the bottom hinge, and swing it out the front. This opens it up with the sticker as a hinge, and it peels off easily. I learned that from a guy who owns a record store.
I hate that shit, too, though.
Re:Best packaging innovation ever (Score:4, Interesting)
> Maybe then they should increase the price by putting a landfill tax on it.
So, you're saying that as consumers, we have to put up with annoying, wasteful packaging that we didn't ask for, which doesn't serve any direct purpose to us, and we should pay a tax on it to boot?
About time (Score:2, Interesting)