I love that there's a "share your photos" section. i would LOVE to see that collection.

There are options missing, such as "Too small" and "I didn't know amazon had such control over matter and the universe"

I'd like to be able to rate the condition of packaging as well. Most times Amazon boxes are fine, but the wraparound style packaging that goes around a single book or a thin DVD gets its corners mashed to oblivion.

I don't see a problem with killing off some of the "stupid packaging." Most companies are resistant to feedback. This looks like a serious step in a good direction, because if the ratio I've seen in my tech support job holds, if you've got ONE customer unhappily complaining, you've also got 99 who aren't.

This is better.

@Warll: I want "Juuuuust right."

@pecan 3.14159265: That would probably fall under "Protection." If things arrive damaged, it was surely the courier's doing. Often times, that happens because the package protection wasn't sufficient.

I see they deliberately left out a place for people to write a note that doesn't fit with their "star" scales.

Example: I ordered an iPod nano. The box was the right size, however inside was nothing but a deflated air bag so the actual product was sliding all around and banging the sides of the box. When I opened it, the plastic case for the nano was busted open. At least the actual iPod was unharmed.

@krispykrink: How does that example not fit? The protection was insufficient, so you give it fewer stars. Plus you can add a picture, which, last I checked, is worth about 1000 words.

@krispykrink: So rate it 1 star on "Protection" and submit a photo?

That would be cool if they gave us an option to describe the packaging. They seem to like to put boxes in boxes though. The oddest one I received was a game my friend had ordered, the Persona 4 kit (I think), which included other stuff like a plush toy and a calendar. The stuff was in a box, packed inside of a larger box. Now keep in mind this was just a few small items, and it was delivered in this huge box. Now this was a very good thing, as UPS somehow managed to punch a hole through the outer box, so with this packaging the items arrived just fine. Its like they magically knew that UPS would damage the package.

Cheers, Amazon.

If I had any desire to remain in the supply management field, I'd work for Amazon. Those guys are AWESOME...

@Warll:

How about "nonexistent"? Seriously, I've had the occasional thing shipped (not by Amazon) where it's basically some plastic wrap around the original item's box and an address label on it... *sigh*

Up to now, though, nothing destroyed.

I've never had problems with Amazon packaging. Newegg is another story. I've ordered two software products from them and both have been dinged and bent due to the bubble-wrap envelope they used to ship them. (The discs were fine, I just like the pretty boxes to look mint when they arrive)

I'll take a microwave-sized box over that any day of the week. Environment be damned!

I hope not, I use Consumerist articles on "stupid shipping" to decide who to buy from. Everyone that Consumerist blasts in its effort to maintain itself as a left-wing blog thats OK with the environmentalist hippies is a company I want to buy more from.

I - nor any other sane person not looking for affirmation - do not care how my items are packaged. If the price is right, I'm going to buy it. And I'll buy even more of it when it makes the "green" crowd enraged.

Ha ha, this is funny. I would like to see the pictures.

Usually Amazon packaging is okay for the stuff I order (DVDS and books). I've never ordered any electronics or anything from them. If I ever go the TV route, I'll probably do the White Glove thing. If they still have it.

M'thinks a certain Master Captain Duvel Moneycats™ would welcome a similar 3-button choice, above his oatmeal bowl.

Isn't amazon the henry ford of packaging and delivery? Why do they need me to tell them that their boxes are too big?

It's interesting that "too small" isn't not listed in the option. It's true that sometimes, small items get boxes that are unreasonably big and it's a waste.

On a related note, CNET recently recommended a site to get Amazon's free shipping if you are just short of $25, which usually can get you free shipping on Amazon. It is at:
[www.superfiller.com]

Maybe others will find it useful too.

@corbyz: But... but guys, it's a conspiracy!

@Mike8813: I want this for everything. Amazon's doing something very worthy, which Newegg should copy. That way, they can:

* Cut down on the amount of packing peanuts. Most are about 1/2 packing peanuts. At one time I had to RMA a drive enclosure, and only had to add a hand-full of peanuts to pack it tight in the origional box. Another time, I had ordered my full rig, and it came in three boxes (the case was sent later). I reduced it down to one.

* Use the data to give UPS and Fedex feedback. Most of the time I get crushed boxes. Strangely enough the bubble mailers come in ok.

I like the big boxes sometimes, great for storing things and my cat loves to sit in them.

@HogwartsAlum: I'm the same way, but I did buy a bass guitar amplifier from Amazon. The packaging was fine, my only complaint was that UPS used my back entrance to my apartment rather than the side door that has the doorbell.

@Enkael: The size of the package can change how much you pay for shipping though.

If that was satire though, my hats off to you.

@Outrun1986: Didn't they have a fiasco with a Harry Potter release or something where because the packaging was a box they just shipped it?

@Spectre1125: No, actually, it doesn't. As shipping is based on the WEIGHT of the item instead of the size, it has no material impact. In fact using smaller "green packaging" usually costs MORE money because it means ordering innumerable additional sizes of packages and retrofitting machines to pack using them.

But your response is typical of those who have not done any research.

Looks like someone DID make them wise to the "stupid shipping gang" tag. Which is sad because that's one of my favorites. Bad for the environment, but good entertainment to gawp in outrage at the Stupid Shipping Gang whenever there's a pic post.

@John Smith: Ooo, nifty! Thanks!

@Enkael: Depends who you ship with. USPS will charge for oversize packages, for example.

@Enkael: Actually, size does matter. Look up dimensional weight on any major shippers webpage. If the package is large but has little weight, you get charge the dim. weight. Having worked closely with FedEx they actually give you good rates on small packages. Reason is they fill in all the gaps between the larger packages. Have YOU done the research?

@MightyDwarf56: Yeah they have done this with me before, its really annoying because my packages NEVER get delivered to the back door and my mailbox is on the porch. This is the first year I had something delivered to my back door. My packages from UPS also mysteriously seem to end up at the neighbors house, thankfully my neighbors are honest and bring it right over.

@John Smith: That is great. Thanks for sharing the link.

At least Amazon is trying to get feedback about shipping. They are always trying to improve their customer experience and minimize the need for people to call or to return products. I think all they are trying to do is a simple way to identify products/merchants that are packaging poorly which may result in damage during shipping. Even if your product isn't damaged but you say the packaging was bad they can change that to prevent future shipments from being damaged. Every returned product or customer call is less profit for them.

@Spectre1125: I remember that myself.

I would love to see pictures of these so-called "huge packages"!

@Mike8813:

Gee, I thought everything from Newegg came drowned in packing peanuts. Which, of course, my cat then tries to eat.

@Hoss: You can have any box you like, so long as its humongous?

@Enkael: Everyone would love to know who your shipper is. Most shippers will charge extra for oversize packaging. Low weight/large size is harder for shippers to deal with, and they charge accordingly (except, apparently, for your mythical shipper).

@undefined:

I work for the Post Office delivering mail and I can tell you from experience that items that are packed properly and in a proper sized container are less likely to be damaged. When I have hundreds (maybe thousands?) of boxes in the back of my truck, there is inevitable shaking and shifting of packages. These big boxes that are packed nicely will never suffer any broken edges or punctures and the tape that holds them shut usually is sufficient. The boxes that you can tell are way too big for what is inside them break very easily and often are twisted/contorted enough for the tape on the top to open up slightly and bend the box all to hell. There is only so much you can do to protect a box that is 50-90% air (some boxes are so huge they feel like they are 100% air, I swear).

Oh, and I hope you're joking because that is a pretty sad way to live. No matter what your opinion on climate change or the environment is, CO2 in the atmosphere increases allergies/asthma in children/etc. Failing to conserve on purpose is gross negligence as a member of the human race.

@shepd: if extra packaging isnt necessary and they use it anyways i'd imagine people would complain about environmental issues or someone else would complain about increased costs
just playing advocate here, i always try to see both sides
as long as anything isn't damaged.. no harm?

Drugstore.com did really well yesterday with a package I got. I bought a bunch of stuff -- some of it in sort of sizable boxes, and it was all strategically arranged in the smallest possible package. A really small box. Nice.

@Enkael: Let me translate the objection to bad packaging into reactionary-speak for you: Improper packaging increases the potential for the item to be damaged, which increases the potential for un-resellable returns. This drives retailer costs up, and they don't absorb them. The cost goes directly to you. Bad packaging = higher costs = you pay more.

Amazon is such an amazing company. Not only do they usually have the best prices, but their customer service is really 2nd to none. I think I have been 100% satisfied with every response I've gotten from them.

That they are doing this is just another example that they really ARE trying to build a friendlier company. You should be commending them in this article.

@Enkael: And your tone is typical of those who are resistant to any kind of change. Do you work for GM?

@MMD: The bridge of self-importance under which the troll lives is:

a) About right
b) Too big
c) Way too big

I'm nearly certain this is in response to their being nvestigated by the feds on their shipping policies.

I don't understand, is this an enviromental issue? Because it doesn't effect the consumer's cost of shipping. I sell on amazon (college text books, duplicate xmas gifts, etc) and amazon gives me a set amount of money for shipping that usually doesn't cover it all. Putting an item into a larger box than nessessary adds weight and costs me more money at the post office. So I don't really understand why sellers would do that or why customers would complain about it.

Oh great, idiots will zippo knowledge about UPS/FedEX shipping tariffs, packaging requirements as well as warehouse logistics will be commenting on Amazon about the size/shape of the shipping package.

Advance notice... Amazon raises prices due to a sharp increase in damage claims and rising operations costs in a direct response to consumer input.

@Hoss:

They don't. Their packaging conforms to UPS/FedEX regulations regarding the maximum size allowed for a 1 lb package.

@veg-o-matic: The amount of power of a troll to effect a fulfilled life is:
a) infinitesimal
b) sub-atomic*
c) roughly approximate to the size of Rush Limbaugh's brain**

* For you faith-based mouth-breathers, that's really small.
** Even smaller!

@pecan 3.14159265: Yeah, that REALLY annoys me. I've also gotten their "shrink-wrapped-to-a-piece-of-cardboard" shipments where my new hardback is pre-ruined.

Not that it's stopped me ordering from amazon, but it does tick me off. (Only once was I sufficiently annoyed by the level of damage to actually make an issue, and they gave me a partial refund.)