http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/ Engadget Comments for Amazon takes a stand to eliminate wasteful, hard-to-open gadget packaging http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/

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.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/I want all mine from amazon then.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:35AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 10:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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...]]>Nov 3rd 2008 10:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 11:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 4:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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. ]]>Nov 3rd 2008 1:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
"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.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 1:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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!]]>Nov 13th 2008 11:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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!]]>Nov 3rd 2008 1:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/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..]]>Nov 3rd 2008 2:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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. ]]>Nov 3rd 2008 8:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 8:52AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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...]]>Nov 3rd 2008 10:50AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
"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.)"]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 2:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:29AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 10:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 4:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
Finally!]]>Nov 3rd 2008 8:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 8:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 11:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
I just hate the term 'green' - Its like a trend. I just prefer, less wasteful or such%tage recyclable.]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:00AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 1:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
R]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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. ]]>Nov 3rd 2008 2:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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.]]>Nov 11th 2008 8:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/Nov 3rd 2008 9:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/03/amazon-takes-a-stand-to-eliminate-wasteful-hard-to-open-gadget/
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...]]>Nov 3rd 2008 9:13AM