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Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Posted 10 months ago by Paul
Idea Status: under review

Boxes should be easy to open, and not require a welding torch and a chainsaw.

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48 Comments

sararube

Posted 10 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

yes, yes, yes -- i totally agree.

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davidcruzo

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Even a scissor is difficult to use.

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s_foy

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I think I have at least one scar on my hand from trying to pry one of those packs open. There's gotta be a better anti-theft system!

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nausheena

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I completely agree! They are so difficult to open. I'm surprised we haven't gotten sued over that like the Urban legend of the coffee burn from a McDonald's coffee.

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kcb48

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

You should also require your manufacturers to use Recycled PET. REI does this.

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sorjai

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Amazon does it, so should you guys!

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JohnS

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Thanks for all your comments and votes. Keep them coming.

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Best Buy Mobile Marketing Guy

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Agree with the scar - I have one. In fact, I literally wore gloves the other day to open up a package.

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Paul

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

gizmo78: Their problem, not ours. At some point, the cost of frustrated and/or bleeding customers outweighs the cost of theft....

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jowyang

Posted 9 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I've cut myself on some plastic packages. Ugh

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Terrence

Posted 8 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Why not a zip tie style packaging system. Same rigid/tough plastic, but with a sort of zig-zag strip across the back that you can open with one hard tug that tears it open across the width of the package (much like they use on cardboard packs of microwave meals).

Those things would make a nice loud toy machine gun style noise that would be just as much of a theft deterrent as the spider wrap on an iPod or Laptop that can be wrestled off fairly easily.

Loud noise = Theft deterrent win
Quick Rip Packaging = easy open win

Happy happy joy joy

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Terrence

Posted 8 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Yep. That is pretty much exactly what I am talking about. The perforated part would need to be fairly rigid and could easily be a nice thick, zip-tie style strip so it would make a loud ripping noise.

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CamG

Posted 8 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Terrence... I'm so with you. Loud ripping noises are a sound of tearing into something COOL!

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RS_BBY ExB Pkg

Posted 7 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

These are great comments, please keep them coming – we’re listening!
Your comments and concerns really help validate the work we are doing on the Best Buy Exclusive Brands (Insignia, Rocketfish, Dynex, Init & Geek Squad) Packaging team. Over the past several months we have increased our diligence in offering more customer and environmentally conscious packaging options. Examples of these efforts range from our more established products such as the Dynex Optical mice skus (DX-WLMSE & DX-WMSE) that are in easy-to-open hybrid boxes and use a minimal amount of plastic, to our recent Dynex 6’ HDMI cable which is held in an efficiently sized corrugate box, using only as much plastic as needed to showcase the product. While we aren’t currently able to eliminate molded plastic packaging for all of our products, we are working towards incorporating a customer-friendly opening feature on all clamshells going forward. An example of this would be our latest headphone offerings with the Rocketfish ear bud products (RF-EHP11 & RF-EHP12). The perforation on the back of this package allows the clamshell to be opened with one pull of the finger tab – no more scissors, no more injuries! Our newly launched Rocketfish Gaming line is a great example of family-friendly packaging which has a focus on offering the customer products children can open themselves, without the use of tools or adult assistance.
Again, your comments are appreciated. Our innovations don’t always come from within our own walls; a customer’s feedback speaks volumes! Regards, Ryan Salow

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Albert Maruggi

Posted 7 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Ryan great response, I have always wondered why those sealed plastic packages are that way. It must be because they are cheaper I'm guessing right?

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robbiek426

Posted 7 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I agree that the plastic may "over compensate" for the level of security they are trying to impose. I will not say boxes need to be easy to open but at least managable. The krimped style siding is a little overboard. If you did have to make them easy to open put them in a case or something. I have to say that I would not feel any time was wasted if I had to go through waiting for it to come out of the case and into my hands vs. using my skill saw to open packages. Plus I am usually met a few feet past the door with customer caring employees who jump right into whatever issue or need I have that day, and this is why I love to spend my money at best buy.

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ShadowWolfMD

Posted 6 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Plastic boxes combat in-store theft. They do not combat any form of theft that occurs outside the store. Therefore, out-of-store customers should have at least an option (if not by default) to receive items that are not packaged with the hard plastic designed to prevent in-store theft.

This would require an arrangement among retailers and manufacturers, and would increase costs because at the time of shipping (from manufacturer to retailer), these parties would have to designate which products will be shelved in-store and which will be delivered out-of-store. My guess (I am not a retail or shipping expert) is that a retailer ships products that retain anti-theft packaging in order to reduce costs that are not quite outweighed by the increased costs of shipping the additional size and weight of anti-theft packaging. The Best Buy representative's post above suggests a compromise that applies to all customers -- simplifying removal of anti-theft devices, but it would be interesting to see a cost/benefit analysis comprising these strategies.

I am not a lawyer, but I wonder what case an out-of-store customer might have for an injury caused from the attempted removal of anti-theft packaging. I don't often see visible warnings about its removal, and again, the packaging adds no security for out-of-store purchases.

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Mattador315

Posted 6 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

totally agree..
I've cut my hands on those things many times

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SMHicks

Posted 6 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

aren't those packages the responsibility of the manufacturer? yes, amazon does it, but only for SOME products so far...yes, these include memory cards, but who can steal those from amazon? i don't think it's cost effective or practical to expect this from best buy, unless memory cards are placed at the cash register as a POS purchase, like Micro Center does. Wear garden gloves or utility gloves when opening hard plastic packaging and you won't bleed.

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AWWang

Posted 6 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I agree but it is still useful to prevent theft and 'box opening'. I believe this is a good idea but really haven't understood the purpose of these 'hard to open' boxes.

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unklfester

Posted 6 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

My wife just purchased a set of the Rocketfish earbuds as a replacement for her i-Pod Shuffle. In looking for the availability for some replacement pads, I stumbled across this post. About 5 minutes too late. While I have to applaude the easy opening package, you really need to let it be known that it is there.After she had cut it open as usual, I examined the packaging and found the pull tab. A customer friendly bonus like this needs to be prominent on the package. Personally, I would purchase this product over a similarly priced product simply because the company had taken the customer's experience in to account starting with the package that it is contained in. Not to mention that the plastic seems as if it has been slimmed down a bit to be a little more environmentally friendly. These little bits of information would be nice to have plastered across the package. More than the fact that I can open it without needing stitches, it shows tat the company cares about its customers. Again thanks guys, keep up the good work!

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unklfester

Posted 6 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

My wife just purchased a set of the Rocketfish earbuds as a replacement for her i-Pod Shuffle. In looking for the availability for some replacement pads, I stumbled across this post. About 5 minutes too late. While I have to applaude the easy opening package, you really need to let it be known that it is there.After she had cut it open as usual, I examined the packaging and found the pull tab. A customer friendly bonus like this needs to be prominent on the package. Personally, I would purchase this product over a similarly priced product simply because the company had taken the customer's experience in to account starting with the package that it is contained in. Not to mention that the plastic seems as if it has been slimmed down a bit to be a little more environmentally friendly. These little bits of information would be nice to have plastered across the package. More than the fact that I can open it without needing stitches, it shows tat the company cares about its customers. Again thanks guys, keep up the good work!

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tuttifruty23

Posted 6 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

You do realize that the manufacture of the product decides that packaging and not Best Buy right? Also, in store theft is not the only theft you need to worry about. I have seen cases of theft that has occured on loading docks when merchandise is being divided and prepared for shipment to different stores. I agree the plastic is a pain in the butt, however, I think it is a necessary evil to try and combat theft and therefor keep prices from skyrocketing.

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bthrifty

Posted 6 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Go ahead and keep making them but make them where it's easy to open. Now when returning an item we don't have to bring it back in a ripped box and Best Buy can re use this box without having to seal it in a new one. How easy would that be...

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robert13

Posted 5 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

What about this, use the same plastic anti-theft device but also use the easy pull tab built in. they could have it designed so that you only need to cut a corner of the plastic to expose the easy open pull tab. Thus you would maintain the anti-theft part and still be fairly customer friendly.

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jdcoffman

Posted 5 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Definitely agree with this idea -- there is very little reason not to gradually try to roll easier to use packaging out albeit slowly.

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bsarules

Posted 5 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I have no clue what those are

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barbo

Posted 5 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Totally agree. Apple has this one solved for every product the sell. You can open and repackage easily. We should do this on all products we control such as private label products

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niiro13

Posted 5 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Then again, barbo, Apple doesn't seem to worry about people walking out of their store with a product without a bag (you can choose not to) or a receipt (you can have it emailed to you). Course there are ways to catch you, but same for any other store.

But yes, I love the Apple packaging. It just keeps getting better and better too. Just look at Final Cut and Logic Studio which both have like five discs and manuals for each program in the package all in the little box (big step from the huge box before).

Really, the only problems in packaging I've found were the Dynex and the Bose. Dynex has a perforated circle in the back which doesn't do anything cause not only is the cable in the mold itself so you can't take it out, there's a piece of paper blocking the cable and the fact that most of the cables themselves are larger than the hole. And Bose just fails (have to spend like 15 minutes to get it open without mutilating it).

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mjr2k

Posted 4 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

No matter what type of packaging or how strong of packaging you use on products, stuff will get stolen. Also, if you're concerned about destroying hands/nails/other body parts to open a product (once you've purchased it), ask an associate at the service desk or on the floor (they might know a secret).

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Rapid Innovation

Posted 3 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Yes, one needs surgical instruments to open these packages!

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funkpnut

Posted 3 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Is this seriously that big of a concern for people? The plastic packaging? Complain to the manufacturers. Its cheaper for them to use this kind of packaging rather than one that is reusable.

If you're trying to open these packages with a pair of scissors or a cutting knife, it will be a PITA.

Use a box cutter, snippers, or can opener.

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loker

Posted 3 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Truly a great idea. I've even been injured quite severely by one of those ridiculous plastic packages. They are a danger!

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HB_Dad

Posted 2 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I saw a special tool made specifically for opening these kinds of packages at another store and ironically enough could you guess what kind of packaging it came in...?

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WilliamX

Posted 2 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

come on, i know we can think of a cost-effective re-usable package that is theft resistant...

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WilliamX

Posted 2 months ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I know we can think of a cost-effective reusable container method of selling retail items...maybe you pick out the actual item when you leave rather than having everything on the shelves....??

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MaxTD

Posted about 1 month ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

They use this plastic boxes so nobody steals the small items. I guess that they will not change anyrthing unless they figure out another way of avoiding the stealing.

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ThomasGemkow

Posted about 1 month ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

If the plastic "blister packaging" you guys are speaking of goes away, in store theft will sky rocket, which will drive up prices, and cause you all to say prices are too high ;-)

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University of Pi

Posted about 1 month ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

get the easy open clamshell packaging instead of the old school

the new kind tears easily without saws

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storstygg

Posted 21 days ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

or at the very least, make them recyclable. do you know how much of that plastic we all throw away each year?

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twilliam

Posted 12 days ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

They make packaging harder to open because it reduces theft. If we made it easier to steal then the prices on product go up.

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thesimplemind

Posted 12 days ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

that is why you use scissors to open the box. durrrr.

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TheGamer

Posted 2 days ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Your completely right. Whenever I buy a product I don't want to have a workout trying to open the plastic.

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macavada

Posted about 24 hours ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

Boxes are made this way to prevent theft. I worked in retail and people would carry items to an area without cameras, quietly open the package and pocket the item. Hmmm... maybe some of the above people are from this group of thieves?

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l3it3r

Posted about 21 hours ago in response to Get rid of those stupid plastic boxes that are way too hard to open

I recently bought a Logitech Illuminated keyboard, and the packaging was apple-esque. Isn't amazon.com working on this 'easy packaging' stuff too?

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