What's A Few Fingers To Stave Off Shoplifting?
We've all had this happen to us, as we take a pair of industrial shears to a new purchase's impervious plastic. Occasionally, we wander away with gore spurting from a few newly crafted finger stubs. But more often, we end up just cutting the documentation inside into confetti.
God knows, customer satisfaction comes after concerns about shoplifting. What's a few fingers compared to saving a gigantic retail hegemony a few lost bucks? But could you package designers please consider incorporating a dotted line on the package, indicating exactly where the instructions are inside so we can cut around them?
Broken: GE remote control packaging [This is Broken]
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Comments:
this doesn't stop shoplifters. I've heard of plenty stories from my partner - who works in retail - of people being 'left alone' for just a couple minutes in an aisle and those people manage to open about ten packages of something, hide the items, and leave the store. I doubt it'd take me less than a minute to find out how to open a blister pack without destroying the contents.
Some companies are now using perforated blister packs. They are easy to open but still provide security because as you open the package it makes a loud noise so if your stealing from a store anyone within shouting distance can probably hear you.
Ahh, this reminds me when I purchased a Logitech Wireless mouse for my laptop. The plastic it came in was so thick and hard to open it nearly broke a pair of titanium scissors. TITANIUM! I'm all for anti-shoplifting since people will steal about ANYTHING, but that was just crazy. That package was damn near bulletproof.
Once while opening one of these thick plastic packages I only cut into the package an inch or so. Then to avoid cutting the entire contents in half I tried ripping the rest ofn the package open, provided there was now a starting point for a tear. I nearly sliced my finger to the bone.
I actually broke a nice pair of Fiskers on this kind of packaging the other day. I'm still sad about that one.
To open these packages, I would recommend the Craftsman Professional 10 in. Sliding Compound Miter Saw, with diamond-tipped blade.
Those packages are a pain, but I would not really call that documentation destroyed. Just buy some tape. Or return it to wally-world.
I hate these packages, I've nearly lost a finger and eye trying to open an mp3 player I bought for my father. I'm thinking of using thermite to open it next time.
I once cut through a data CD. Fortunately it wasn't necessary, but I still find it odd that I didn't notice.
Try the amazing OpenX:
http://www.myopenx.com/home.htm
(I personally haven't tried it, but it looks pretty cool)
Open X tagline: Just push and slide to get inside!
Glad I'm not the only retard who has done this.
Also, I notice at wal-mart checkout they have these "Scotch Gift Wrap Openers". $4.97 for something to open presents with! Who are they kidding? oh wait, the american public.
A sharp X-acto knife and blade works wonders for me. Especially on CD's and DVDs.
I love my OpenX... it works very well!
I bought a USB dongle at Best Buy and stabbed a good size hole in the driver CD with a knife because of that packaging.
Wouldn't have been so bad if Kensington wasn't a horrible company that doesn't put their drivers online - fortunately a similar Toshiba (I think) dongle uses the same software, so I got that, and was saved from my own tremendously stupid mistake.
Triteon! You crack me up!
I've always used a utility knife to cut open only one side...but I learned the hard way too. This is poor design, but I don't have a solution.
Am I the only person that's shocked that anyone actually READS the documentation?!
HawkWolf says: "this doesn't stop shoplifters."
Just like childproof medicine bottles :) I've actually used powertools to open plastic packaging. It increases the ability to damage the item - it's too easy to cut through with a jig saw.
The easy way is to just cut around the sealed edge. That or get a good box opener that you can use to cut around the base of the plastic bubble that the product is in. Once you realise this, as I did after cutting through an instruction book, your life will be easier.