A (short) open letter to the industry
Product distribution, marketing, and design management of the world — especially the consumer electronics industry — take heed. Your insanely difficult to open plastic packaging / blister packs, while excellent theft-deterrents and somewhat economical, are incredibly anti-consumer and irritating as all get out. There are few things as big a bummer as getting a new product home and straining to cut off the sides (see right), slicing up one’s knuckles on the rigid plastic really bad every time, and possibly even damaging the package’s contents trying to get inside. If I had more time I would march on, well, “the industry” to freaking quit it already, petition, complain, etc. It’s bad for the environment and stuff. And especially bad for people trying to get at whatever it is contained therein you’ve just sold us for probably too much money.
Yours,
Ryan Block, consumer
Why do companies do this, I bought a HDMI cable a few weeks ago and it was a packet similar to the one in the picture. Took me 25 minutes to hack through it!
Comment by Chris McElligott — Wednesday, April 26, 2006 @ 2:00 am
I was JUST complaining about that to my brother yesterday. I like to open up my electronics before I get home to take a look at the manual, but I don’t usually have a hacksaw available to open the ridiculous packaging.
Comment by Nericq — Wednesday, April 26, 2006 @ 5:54 am
i bought some noise-cancelling headphones and spend about 20.4 min getting the ‘lil fucker to open…i probably cut myself with the covering a few times, it almost made me march right back to best buy and return it citing a plastic-induced injury. but ive had my fill, so im resorting to melting the plastic w/ a hot knife…risky but gets the job done rather quick and efficient
Comment by Jonathan C — Wednesday, April 26, 2006 @ 7:24 am
when opening something like that, i usually get frustrated and make boyfriend-types do it for me. because if i don’t, i will slice my hand open, one way or another. there’s an entire pile of gadgets waiting for you to open, ryan, so you better come back to SF soon!
Comment by Veronica — Wednesday, April 26, 2006 @ 11:57 am