Come on folks, say it in unison with us: "Finally!" At long last, a company with a little clout has stood up and questioned the necessity of those ridiculous
hard plastic containers that hold
minuscule flash cards and the like (along with plastic twist-ties), and better still, it's already doing something about it. Beginning today, consumers who are tired of borrowing the fire department's Jaws of Life to rescue their new USB drive can opt for products in Amazon's "Frustration-Free Packaging," which utilizes streamlined packaging that often includes recyclable cardboard. 19 products from the likes of Fisher-Price, Mattel, Microsoft and Transcend are currently available in the new containers, and the firm's CEO has a vision of offering its "entire catalog of products in Frustration-Free Packaging" within a few years. Hey, everyone else in the gadget world -- care to hop on a meaningful bandwagon for once?
Read - Frustration-Free Packaging initiative
Read - Frustration-Free Packaging storefront
posted Nov 3rd 2008 at 8:47AM
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Gabagool @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:50AM
Agree 100% with Amazon on this. Boy this could be a really historic week, no hard to open gadgets, black guy becoming a President.
Jake Tobak @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:52AM
and on top of that I found $5 in one of my coat pockets, truly these are extraordinary times.
Windzilla @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:04AM
:high fives jake, Nice!
It's gonna be historic either way, non white male as President or VP. I'm excited about it regardless of if my candidate wins. The packaging would be icing on the cake.
Knives_Out @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:00AM
uh. it's not that hard to open these packages.
maybe if some of you people calmed down and didn't act like ravenous lunatics while opening your precious little gadgets you wouldn't experience this frustration.
matt @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:03AM
see what you did there? I was about to mod you up for supporting a smart idea, but then you decided to use your comments for talking politics in a non-political blog, so I modded you down because you're either begging for flames or you're just a dense div who's off topic.
butt monkey @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:08AM
DVD's with no security labels??? wouldn't that be nice
I want all mine from amazon then.
uo @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:35AM
@Windzilla: you are putting too much value on your presidential election (obviously, so are they, spent 2.4B for it; I think from now on, each $ spend on future election, should be match by a $ to fund either VA or charity).
But, I think amazon should exam its own practice first. I once ordered 4 pair of 1 foot long skews, weight 1 lb and in flat packaging. The dimension is 12x4x0.5 inches approximately. The box that they use to send it is ... 24x12x8 inches. Stuffed with brown paper to pad the box.
mewyn @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:07AM
@uo:
Actually, for Amazon to have fewer box sizes is far more economical and less wasteful. To have a custom sized box for nearly every eventuality, they'd need to have hundreds of different sizes and have enough stock to keep them going for so many months between production runs. This would waste far more money than the few extra cents paid to UPS for a slightly bigger box to be shipped. Plus, each production run has both fixed and variable consumptions, and fewer production runs reduces the fixed costs.
Sure the box my take up more space in shipping, but it reduces the overall load density that the truck, plane or train has to carry which will reduce fuel usage. And as far as the brown paper, that's far, far more recyclable than the [insert expletive here] plastic foam packing peanuts Newegg uses. For the love of god, Newegg, either switch to paper or use the corn-based peanuts! At least with the corn peanuts, when I get my order, I can throw them in the laundry room sink and spend 5 minutes in glee as they get washed down.
FreeRange @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:39AM
You know what's funny about people saying, "I agree with Amazon" is that manufacturers put product in the plastic cases because the retail resellers request it that way to discourage shoplifting. It's difficult to get it open at home but it's even worse if you're trying to do it in a store so you can pocket the memory card (Seriously, I haven't done this but that's why they have that packaging).
All Amazon is REALLY doing is letting some of the manufacturers off the hook for that packaging and they're probably asking for a lower price as the packaging costs money, too. Now the only issue is any product shipped back will have to be assumed to have been used as the hard plastic packaging is an indicator today. If it wasn't opened, it wasn't used. This is nice from a consumers standpoint but it actually complicates things a little for manufacturers (need to be direct with Amazon, less money (possibly), and acceptance all returns are used, unless they put some other seal on the little plastic case?).
And just in case anyone says that packaging doesn't cost that much, I remind them that neither do memory cards so every little savings is a little more margin...
adrian @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:45AM
"Those ridiculous hard plastic containers that hold minuscule flash cards". I think those containers are quite good as they have protected some of my cards when dropped quite a few times. Also what about heat and dust protection when you are not using them.
BigD145 @ Nov 3rd 2008 12:26PM
Engadget, your picture for this article is misleading. We're not talking about the little plastic box your card comes in, we're talking about the bulky packaging that bigger than my hand that the whole shebang gets sealed into. Your links match your statement, but your picture does not. The comments in this little session of replies is proof of confusion.
Mark @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:03PM
@adrian click the part where it says "hard plastic containers". You will see what they mean. You can only use this "hard plastic containers". They are not talking about the case.
kzrice @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:27PM
You know what's funny about your comment...
How do you suppose people can shoplift from Amazon if it has no physical stores? Seeing as how they are completely internet-based, your comment makes no sense.
FreeRange @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:41PM
@kzrice
"manufacturers put product in the plastic cases because the retail resellers request it that way to discourage shoplifting" - You know, the non-online resellers. The Wal-Marts, Targets and Best Buys of the world request the hard plastic to prevent shoplifting. Think about your comment for a while and you might recognize you actually are grasping why Amazon can do this but nobody else can...
Here, I'll try to explain it again... Imagine you make a product and the vast majority of resellers have physical stores so you bend to their will of preventing shoplifting by making the product difficult to get into. This gets you into Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart... You'd rather use easier package to get into because it's cheaper and gives a better experience to consumers but if you don't have those big guys on board because they are sure your stuff will constantly disappear, you've got no business so you put it in a plastic case. Now, rather than manage your inventory with custom packaging for these guys and those guys, you just go across the board with one package even for the online guys. Now this one says, "Hey, we don't have shoplifting concerns! Sell us your product in an easier to open package so we can say we're spearheading this initiative for eliminating waste and difficult packaging!" See, you had it but you kind of didn't... Now, the real catch is if Amazon also said, "Since you don't put our stuff in that expensive plastic packaging, we also want you to pass those savings on to us and not charge us for that part of it." Oh, and you also now have to have another product just for them in your manufacturing process... But that's for ops to screw with so you don't care.
iforget @ Nov 13th 2008 11:03PM
BigD145, you're correct!
I was mad when I saw the article and the picture. "No! I love those little plastic cases! They're not wasteful at all, they're really small and useful!". But I went to Amazon's page for "Transcend TS4GSDHC6E 4 GB SDHC Card (SD 2.0 SPD Class 6) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]" and saw the picture that they had there and realized they are using the tiny plastic case still, just no blister pack or whatever.
Engadget, add a good caption or something or risk confusing more people!
stopsnitching @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:51PM
BigD145, you're correct!
I was mad when I saw the article and the picture. "No! I love those little plastic cases! They're not wasteful at all, they're really small and useful!". But I went to Amazon's page for "Transcend TS4GSDHC6E 4 GB SDHC Card (SD 2.0 SPD Class 6) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]" and saw the picture that they had there and realized they are using the tiny plastic case still, just no blister pack or whatever.
Engadget, add a good caption or something or risk confusing more people!
kzrice @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:11PM
So basically your whole point is that the people who said "I agree with Amazon" don't realize that it's actually not the manufacturer's fault, but the big retailers (i.e. Best Buy, Walmart, etc). Most people I think realize that some of these ridiculously hard to open packages are a result of retailer pressure placed on manufacturers due to shoplifting concerns.
Or they should realize that at least.
The question of cost-benefit obviously is one for the manufacturer. If a company makes enough money from Amazon sales to outweigh the added cost associated with specifically tailoring their packaging for Amazon-only sales, then they will do it.. If not, then they won't obviously. I don't see a problem with this business model at all. Amazon may even lose money over this, but it's a step in the right direction, environmentally, and for the consumer.
Also, your comment about returns -- there is no way Amazon is going to sign up manufacturers to this program and not have an adequate process and means for determining whether a product has been opened, used, etc. How they will do that remains to be seen..
FreeRange @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:26PM
@ kzrice
This packaging is less expensive for a manufacturer. They would have ALWAYS preferred to use less but the brick and mortar retailers required secure packaging. This has LESS cost associated. Imagine you've got your card in your plastic with a paper insert. Now you remove the plastic and the sealing process so all you're left with is the paper and the card. Less expensive. The question then becomes if Amazon points out you pay less for packaging so they want that money in the form of a slightly lower acquisition cost. I can't say that it does happen but if you're selling direct to Amazon (dedicated packaging so I would think you are) then there was a chance for a renegotiation of cost. The manufacturer probably makes the same, when all is said and done. Amazon is, if anything, making more money..but probably not a whole lot. Got some good press here though!
Okay, as for returns, you say Amazon will have a means of knowing whether a product has been opened, used, etc. If they cared, they probably could put something in place but they don't have the time to care. It's not in their best interest to screw around with trying to figure out if product has been used when they'll surely have a contract that allows them to return anything for credit. They'll just ship it back to the manufacturer and get more product they are certain is new. And then the manufacturer has the responsibility of determining if a product was used or not because they cannot resell used product as brand new so, to them, this is important. If the manufacturer is unsure if something is used, they'll mark it as used to be on the safe side. This is what the hard plastic case provided. If the seal is broken, it was used. If it was not, it's still brand-new. That's how they tell the difference.
iEye @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:52AM
Hmm, how do I know my product is new VS. used?
All I know is that part of the joy in opening a new Apple product is the unboxing, and knowing that no one has touched it.
trainwrecka @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AM
Do you know of an Apple product that requires the jaws of life? They have had a big "green" push over there, and I don't find the packaging over-the-top at all.
Kelmon @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:50AM
Don't forget the "new Mac" smell, although that could be anthrax...
Seriously, though, I can't see Apple's products being subjected to this given that the packaging is minimal already. I would, however, like to see this for lots of other products like the HDMI cable I bought a few weeks ago that came in a plastic case that needed dynamite to open. Oddly, the image was fuzzier than I expected...
trainwrecka @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:53AM
Does this include the twisty-ties on toys? It takes about 30 minutes to open toys nowadays.
Chris @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:56AM
True true, On Christmas it takes about 2 hours for my sister to play with a set of dolls.
Shinigami @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:45AM
1% of price per saved frustration point.
Shinigami @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:46AM
Oops wrong place sorry sorry
John B @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:48AM
Yes, it does. From their front page (since links are now removed even though it says that we can include up to three...)
"Amazon is working with leading manufacturers to deliver products inside smaller, easier-to-open, recyclable cardboard boxes with less packaging material (and no frustrating plastic clamshells or wire ties.)"
Chris @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:19PM
As a parent of 5 kids, I feel your pain. Next Christmas, have a small set of wire clippers on hand. It will take the time to open a toy from several minutes, down to about 15 seconds, and your fingers won't get sore.
Chris @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AM
Thank god! I remember when I bought a MS Pro Duo and it came in an 8"x6" plastic container thing that I had to cut open with a knife. +1 for Amazon.
dotAaron @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AM
Amazon FTW!!!!! :D
y3k.nik @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AM
How much extra do I have to pay to be less frustrated though?
ChadT84 @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:29AM
That's exactly what I was thinking.
pball_inuyaha @ Nov 3rd 2008 10:09AM
You people must be reading my mind. Convenience usually comes for a price. One would also think this would cost less since less material is used to package it. This will be interesting to see which side wins. Less stuff, less cost or more convenience, more price.
Sora @ Nov 3rd 2008 4:47PM
Considering that this is Amazon, I'm thinking that the price will probably stay the same on our end.
sir_flexalot @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:22AM
All I can say is, the sooner those plastic "blister packs" go away, the better. I am about to wear out yet another penknife on those things, and I don't know how I would get them open by hand, so I couldn't gift something to a child contained in that, or they couldn't get it open without a knife... just dumb all around.
Shinigami @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:39AM
Give the knife as a second gift xD and teach the kid to use it and then hide it away from the kid
webon @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:56AM
ok
Finally!
Tom108 @ Nov 3rd 2008 8:56AM
OMG! Its about freaking time. it's bad enough waiting for the goodies to get here in the mail only practically destroy it while trying to get it open.
Ryan Trevisol @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:00AM
+1 on that. I always am afraid I'm gonna snap the USB stick or stick of RAM in half getting it out of that packaging.
Shaun @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:01AM
I always thought those plastic forcefields were more for security, i.e. impossible to discretely open and place said flash card on you pocket. Also, for the old switcheroo trick (put a 16GB card in a 512MB box and checkout), it would be impossible. For an online retailer, this would be pointless.
I'm probably way off base, and it has more to do with economics than anything. Money will beat out logic any day of the week.
Nacho PATA @ Nov 3rd 2008 11:55AM
"impossible to discretely open"
No, just use a box cutter. Oh wait, buying one of those will get you put on a watch list...
Actually, there is a handy dual razor (but safe to use) blister pack opener out there. I got it at thinkgeek, but I am sure others have the thing too. It also makes a great letter opener.
Teh Lup @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:00AM
Sandisk has been doing this for about a month. Paper, recyclable packages instead of plastic blisters.
I just hate the term 'green' - Its like a trend. I just prefer, less wasteful or such%tage recyclable.
Jon @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:39AM
I agree the "green" moniker might be overused, but if using a buzz word is what it takes, then I say so be it.
neurosceptic @ Nov 3rd 2008 1:40PM
It's not a trend, I've been following green movements pretty much since I was bord (79). It may be more mainstream now.. but not a trend at all.
Rj @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:03AM
I had gotten in the habit of taking a pair of wire cutters, a hunting knife and trauma shears with me to the family birthday parties and at Christmas. After using the stuff on the food, used it on the presents. Just hope its all recycle friendly.
R
albtms @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:06AM
Aren't Amazon the ones who use excessive packaging? Memory card holders are hardly a problem, at least not the ones in the picture. I'm more annoyed with Amazon sending me those memory cards in a huge box.
tekd @ Nov 3rd 2008 2:45PM
Yeah, rather ironic that this initiative is from the same company that decided that they needed a gigantic 3 foot long box to put outside of the other box that they put outside of the brita filters I ordered. Seriously. I always find it hilarious that I've never once received one of their "ready to ship" boxes without a gigantic outer box.
That said, I think they might be getting better since I finally received a book from Amazon where they actually were smart enough to use an envelope instead.
mog @ Nov 11th 2008 8:51PM
You're still getting the little memory card holder/case. Just not the blister pack THAT case came in. Or the Amazon box that blister pack came in - the "frustration-free packaging" box/envelope is the actual box that's shipped to you. Instead of buying a Microsoft mouse and getting it inside of a blister pack inside of a Microsoft box inside of an Amazon shipping box, you now get just the mouse held inside a specially-designed Amazon shipping box.
I repeat: The frustration-free packaging doesn't just replace the annoying brick-and-mortar-friendly boxes with more eco-friendly brown cardboard boxes, those boxes also replace the Amazon shipping box entirely.
It's a good move, I think.
Sagi Genger @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:10AM
yes!!!!
htd @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:11AM
can they mail the thing in an envelope instead of a big box too?
andyg8180 @ Nov 3rd 2008 9:13AM
The purpose of the "blister packs" were so retailers can put expensive stuff on the shelf without having to put those big ass security boxes on them... Rumor back in the early summer was that best buy was going to try a new packaging system this xmas... But i Best Buy management was always full of shit when it comes to good ideas...
I hope they really do some type of redesign... Theres billions of lbs of plastic going stright to the dump... plus it takes a lot of gas and petroleum to cook those up... meaning, higher gas prices = higher cost of production...