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Previous: Philips mobile phone | Main | Next: Credit card readers
March 14, 2005 12:16 AM
Broken: Pliers package
Jonathan Johnson points us to this description of a broken pliers-package design: you need pliers to open the package, to get to the pliers!
Actually, I think you need wirecutters to snip what holds the pliers in place.
Mr. Johnson: Bob, we need to double our tool sales this year.
Bob: Mr. Johnson, I have a great idea, we'll make packaging that requires other tools in the line to open them. We'll make it a puzzle, you have to buy the complete line in order to open them.
Mr. Johnson: Brilliant!
I suspect that this packaging technique may be related to anti-theft / anti-shoplifting goals. Binding the product to the packaging like this makes it difficult to separate the pliers from the packaging and presumably any anti-theft RFIDs on the package.
A more egregious affront to useful packaging are blister packs. They are nearly impossible to open by mere mortals without creating jagged or sharp edges.
I agree with Carlos above.
What's really broken is the sad fact that people steal, requiring annoyances like this.
What makes this especially funny is not that it simply uses fasteners that could most easily be removed with pliers. The packaging clearly indicates that it is very specifically designed to be opened with pliers, as seen in the second pic.
I think another issue, aside from shoplifting, that hardware stores have to deal with on a constant basis is the fact that some people buy tools they only need once or for one project. if the packaging is easy to put back together people are more apt to return the item after use. I doubt free tool rental yields much profit.
"What's really broken is the sad fact that people steal, requiring annoyances like this."
Bzzt. Never blame the user. Who do you think you are - a software developer???? :)
"...... people are more apt to return the item after use...."
I really doubt this is a significant factor. Many stores these days seem to have an astonishingly accomodating return policy, opened-merchanise or no.
Once I used an FTP client to backup my files on my mom's mac. When my computer crashed, I realized that I had to download the client again because I had no way to transfer its install file back to my computer.
It is simple how you open it. You put the package on its side. Hit it withsomething hard so the metal piece that is holding down the pliers bends alowing you to free the pliers,Bend the package back ,take the pliers and open the package.
It is simple how you open it. You put the package on its side. Hit it withsomething hard so the metal piece that is holding down the pliers bends alowing you to free the pliers,Bend the package back ,take the pliers and open the package.
It's another product design ploy to sabotage their own companies and get gigantic severance packages and after the money is to little for tem to sue the CEO!!!
It's another product design ploy to sabotage their own companies and get gigantic severance packages and after the money is to little for tem to sue the CEO!!!
It seems to me that businesses seem to be making packaging bigger and/or harder to open all the time. I once got a SecureDigital card for my PDA, and for those who don't know what an SD card is, it is about the size of a quarter and it stores data. I get this particular model in Wal-Mart of course, and the packaging is over a foot tall and about eight inches wide. It was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. There was even a smaller package inside the larger one. Obviously it was made for anti-theft purposes, but it was already locked to the shelf, and I had to get an emplyee to open it for me.
How ironic. So if you didn't already have pliers, you'd be screwed. You have to use problem solving skills to get your pliers! :)
To open portable saw take of bolts.To take off bolts use a wrench. Use a pair of pliers to open wrench package. To open pliers use a hack saw.To
open hack saw pull out nails in wooden box with a hammer.To open hamer use wire cutters to cut open wire mesh box.To open wire cutters use grinder to grind away titanium box. etc....
Or buy a swiss army knife and avoid the whole thing.
SpicyMeatball: At least you don't need an SD card with your ID on it to open the package.
I would like to see a new improved package that has an intergrated retnal biometric scanner. This way you could stare at the package until it opens.
use the tools you see in the hardware store to open the tool you want to steal in the store. i mean borrow of course
Once you manage to get a good hold on the packaging, and try to peel back the protective anti-theft devise, Phwippp! that's when you need a trip to the ER to have a 4" laceration stitched closed, and after all is said and done you now own a $3.00 pair of pliers that cost $600.00 to open and the real kick in the crotch is you can't use them for 6 weeks untill you get the use of your hand back...
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Previous: Philips mobile phone | Main | Next: Credit card readers
no no no, its a puzzle see... you have to try and get the pliers out without damaging or bending anything...
Posted by: Dragon at March 14, 2005 02:47 AM