Who had the bright idea of that hard plastic packaging?

[Marie5656]

Went to Wal-Mart the other day to buy a new shower head. Another customer saw me looking at it and said she loved hers.
This evening I went to install it so I could try it out.

I cannot understand why it took me 10 frustrating minutes to free it from its packaging, but less than 5 to remove the old shower head and put up the new one!!!

Who thought of this plastic nightmare? And it seem more and more things are in this. Don't even get me started on the environmental impact.

OK. Rant over. Though I did feel better after my shower.

 

[Floridatennisplayer]

You have to use a chain saw to open this stuff!

 

[Marie5656]

You have to use a chain saw to open this stuff!

Except a new chain saw is probably encased in plastic as well.

 

[fmdog44]

The inventor was Harry Houdini

 

[C'est Moi]

 

[Duster]

Sometimes a manual can opener will work. It depends on how it's made.

 

[Gary O']

I have a razor knife in my desk and one in the shop for that very purpose

Some stores have a save the packaging for return policy

I was only questioned once when returning something packaged like that

It's so gratifying to be incredulous, sometimes

 

[win231]

I stopped swearing while opening those plastic packages after I got a pair of these: Excellent & much safer than a knife. Goes through plastic like butter.

Kuhn Rikon Set Of 2 3-in-1 Shears W/ Easy Grip Handle ,Red
(173)
$22.50
QVC
Visit site
Product details
A m

 

[Lee]

Win, I have a pair of those, bought them at a garage sale but never used them. Now I know what to do with them.....once I find them

Really a better idea than risk the knife cut.

 

[Ken N Tx]

I have a razor knife in my desk and one in the shop for that very purpose

We have ours in a kitchen junk drawer...
.

 

[Tommy]

Who thought of this plastic nightmare?

Packaging engineers. An evil profession if there ever was one.

 

[RadishRose]

I suppose its to discourage shoplifting and to protect the items. Although it's just as easy to filch a shower head encased in plastic or not.

I think it also provides a space for the directions, in a print so tiny you can't tell if you're trying to read the English version, the Spanish version, the French or Asian.

 

[toffee]

I agree --- just been told by one of our big supermarkets Tesco inc....that from nxt week no more packages of 4 and 6 items bulk wrapped all sold seperatly to get rid of the plastic wrapping round them .. a good start .

 

[retiredtraveler]

This article primarily talks about difficulty opening these things.
From article: "....Clamshells have not only been voted the worst design ever, they've spawned the term “wrap rage” as exemplified by comedian Larry David’s attempt to open one. Despite all this, products inside clamshells line the shelves of retail stores and supermarkets....".

I just learned the term 'wrap rage'.

This common plastic packaging is a recycling nightmare

 

[JustBonee]

I stopped swearing while opening those plastic packages after I got a pair of these: Excellent & much safer than a knife. Goes through plastic like butter.

Kuhn Rikon Set Of 2 3-in-1 Shears W/ Easy Grip Handle ,Red
(173)
$22.50
QVC
Visit site
Product details
A m

I have something like that, but usually forget where I put it when needed.

 

[ClassicRockr]

Well, one thing for sure, product manufacturers don't have Seniors in their minds when doing the packaging.

I use a box knife, the one where the blade is inside a casing. Push a sliding button down on top, slide forward and blade comes out. Same thing I use for numerous years working in Shipping/Receiving/Stockroom. I go fairly slowly when cutting, both towards myself and away from myself and I make sure the blade is sharp enough.

Todays plastic coverings can be fairly thick, depending on what the item inside is. I try to make a nice, even cut, in case I have to return the item.

A number of Seniors, including my wife, don't have the hand strength to open a plastic cover easily. I do, most of the time.

 

[jujube]

Well, whatever anyone does to open those clamshell packages, don't try stabbing it with a knife. That's what my daughter did about 25 years ago, resulting in four hours of microsurgery to save her index finger, which still won't fully extend or fold.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I think we should give the the person, who came up with the idea of that indestructible plastic packaging, a billion dollar cash prize. Then we should enclose the cash in one of those plastic bubbles, and dump him on a deserted island without any scissors.

 

[Gardenlover]

 

[Don M.]

We can thank the Shoplifters for these hard to open containers. It was pretty common, years ago, to find empty containers in the store racks and shelves...costing us all a small premium as these losses were passed along to the honest customers. I just keep a set of old heavy duty scissors handy, and they easily snip open these tough packets.

 

[Sunny]

Here's a high-tech solution, and even though I'm just kidding, it wouldn't surprise me if such a solution did appear in the stores:

When an item encased in clamshell packaging is bought, the customer should get a piece of paper containing the secret code for opening the package. When he is ready to open it, he types the code into his smart phone, which immediately sends a signal to the package, and... zap! The package is opened!

 

[JaniceM]

I just have a good pair of scissors. It comes in handy- on a regular basis!

 

[SeaBreeze]

Went to Wal-Mart the other day to buy a new shower head. Another customer saw me looking at it and said she loved hers.
This evening I went to install it so I could try it out.

I cannot understand why it took me 10 frustrating minutes to free it from its packaging, but less than 5 to remove the old shower head and put up the new one!!!

Who thought of this plastic nightmare? And it seem more and more things are in this. Don't even get me started on the environmental impact.

OK. Rant over. Though I did feel better after my shower.

Glad you enjoyed your new shower head Marie. I have a heck of a time opening those hard bubble wrap type packages. I've used scissors and knives, and have cut myself a couple of times in the process.

 

[Pecos]

Glad you enjoyed your new shower head Marie. I have a heck of a time opening those hard bubble wrap type packages. I've used scissors and knives, and have cut myself a couple of times in the process.

Same here, I have cut myself several times.

 

[JaniceM]

View attachment 90431

Or if it's a "child-resistant" package, find a child to do it!