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Packaging Problems
Tops, Lids, Packaging - all too tight!
Why do manufacturer's make it so difficult for consumers to open their products?
I'm the kind of lady who doesn't complain generally, however that said I am getting totally frustrated with buying products from different shops, getting them home and not being able to open them with ease.
Now tell me if I'm wrong, I know that health and safety issues apply when it comes to making sure packaging hasn't been tampered with but for a middle aged person, who I would say is quite fit and indeed strong not too be able to open the packaging is to say the least most annoying!
For example, toothpaste, you know the one's in the cylinder containers. Now picture this scenario, it's time for bed you've climbed the stairs and it's time to clean your teeth, you have to open a new toothpaste, you grab the toothpaste and are supposedly meant to be able to twist and hey presto use the toothpaste. But no, you twist, and you twist, and you continue to twist until you get so cross you have to go back down stairs to get a pair of scissors to open the packaging. But no you cannot use scissors you need to use a sharp vegetable knife to cut along the edge of the perforation, hey presto open!
Now what if you haven't got a sharp vegetable knife to hand, say your on holiday and you've taken the toothpaste with you, brand new and your staying in a hotel with no self catering options. What a nuisance!
Why do the Manufacturer's make it so difficult to open the product?!
Another scenario, imagine this, youv'e just done a full days work, your shattered, a cup of coffee is in order to enable you to have a quick fix before preparing dinner. You remember that you need to open a new jar. It should be that you twist the lid and the jar opens, but oh no, not these day's you twist and twist and the jar lid is on so tightly that it won't budge! How inconsiderate of the manufacturer! Your so tired and so in need of a cuppa but before you can have a cuppa you have to knock the next door neighbour's house and ask them to have a go for you! Now in this scenario the gentleman is very strong and does open it for you, hey presto you've opened your jar and had your fix and can now prepare your dinner!
What if you didn't have a neighbour to turn too?! Why make it so difficult?!
Another scenario, and this one really frustrates me! You're in a hurry to go to work but you need to make yourself and your partner a sandwich to take with you (budget is tight!) Cheese and pickle is on the agenda and you go to the fridge to get the cheese and the packaging has one of those zip tops, you know the one I mean, your meant to be able to unzip, use and then re-seal to keep fresh. Brilliant idea, but not that simple! The zip will not come undone, so you have to mess around locating scissors to cut the blasted top off before you can make the sandwich!
Why? I really cannot get my head around this problem that some manufacturer's seem to have got themselves into! It is a real dilemma!
One more scenario, just for the record! Milk.... I don't know many people that don't use milk! Why have they put underneath the plastic lid that is sealed, another seal which apparently they expect the consumer to be able to just pull back. But no, it's not that simple is it? You have to break a nail before you can pull it back!
Now that is really not acceptable to those of us who like our nails to look perfectly groomed!
Why!?
Someone else having the same problem as me!
What about the frail or less able?
Ok so I have had my moan, but I really think something needs to be done, without actually having to write to all of the manufacturers concerned. It would take me days to do that!
I cannot imagine for one minute what it must be like for the less fortunate of us, such as the blind, handicapped or old age pensioners!
If I can't open these products, how can they?!
Forgive me if I'm wrong or maybe your think I'm just having a moany five minutes, but I'm sure that next time you go to open a toothpaste, coffee jar, carton of milk etc etc, you will see exactly what I'm going on about!
Please Mr Manufacturer....
Please, who ever you are, before sending out your products to your retailers, could you perhaps try to open them yourselves and ascertain whether it is actually possible to get into them!
Moan over!
Your thoughts on this subject
Do you agree that packaging is over rated (too hard to get into) or for safety purposes should stay the same
Comments
I wrote a hub on my other account that basically says the same as what you've said here. I find over-packaging ridiculous. The costs these manufacturers could save not to mention the environmental end of it. I had purchased a tax program one year and it was a cd. It came in this huge box and air. I could not see the point of selling a little cd in a huge box.
I agree - all the reasons for 'hard to get into' goods are good ones - there are definitely pros and cons. Just wondering how the elderly manage to open a simple carton of milk -'cause they can be difficult to get into at times. Good topic. Voted up.
Luke nailed it right on the head
- Author
I do agree with you Dale.
- Author
Well said!
Most products like CDs, shower heads and phones as mentioned above have hard packaging due to the increasing amount of theives that try very hard to remove items from there packaging before leaving a store. Once a product has been removed from its packaging the item can be concealed and a shop lifter can then exit the store without setting any electronic alarm systems off, the hard shell packaging usually contain some form of alarm tag wich gets removed at the payment station either manually or by the scanner. Unfortunately retailers have had to take these drastic steps in order to reduce there profit losses, retailers spend a lot of money on packaging and do a lot of research into ways of reducing there losses , it's not an ideal solution for honest paying customers but it will deter a lot of shop lifters.
Yes, poisoning, I remember it all too well. And yet, it's not difficult to open a bottle of Tylenol. What is the reasoning for wrapping phones, CDs, shower heads, etc. in tough, thick plastic. There are other ways to make a product safe from breaking or having Anthrax added. I enjoyed the article. Please read mine: Packaging Nightmares.
Yes, Dale your right and I appreciate your comment, that still doesn't deal with my frustrations!
I am sure myself and others share your frustration, but some of the reasoning is below.
Perhaps you have forgotten the Tylenol poisoning? Then there has been other cases of food tampering. These are the reasons there are several seals and things are hard to get into. I remember Red Hots candy in a cardboard box, just open and eat. No seal, no inner wrapper, etc. All has changed due to the psycho tactics of a few.
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