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Manufacturer's reason: So that the product is clearly displayed and safely packaged. That's ok then...
User's complaint: It's sealed so well that whilst having to use scissors to cut around the sides, creating rough and jagged edges on the packaging, I managed to badly scratch the skin on my hand. Oh no, now it's bleeding..., grrrr
Not only that, the packaging is now filling up my waste bin as it's non-recylable.
There's nothing wrong with a bit of static foam and a cardboard box.
Maybe anti-theft is correct, but theft isn't a problem for us. Unsaleable high-value, low margin items are.
The smart manufacturers have switched to packaging that is reusable. There are little tabs around the edges that interlock and make for a pleasant consumer "package opening" experience.
There is a cottage industry that has sprouted up just because of this issue. They make special cutting devices to open these types of packages. I've purchased a couple and it's still a hit and miss procedure. Some of those packages require you to cut all four edges off. You can't do just one, or two, or even three, all four have to come off!
Maybe for electronics, but kitchen shears? I needed another pair of shears to open the packaging. Shears are made with tempered steel and hard plastic. I don't think they need that much protection. The fragile incandescent light bulbs are packaged in ultra-thin cardboard...
special cutting devices
There is only one other thing that comes close to clamshell packaging in my opinion....the twisty ties used on almost ALL kids toys. Both of them have me spewing profanity around the holidays.
One day I was struggling with one of these and thinking exactly the same thing.
Then it occurred to me - NOW I understand how people who are not computer savvy feel!
This one observation led me to more patience with both clients and blister packs. :-)
This one observation led me to more patience with both clients and blister packs.
Actually, Blister Packs are a little more user friendly than Clamshell Packaging. With a Blister Pack, the plastic is usually glued to a cardboard liner or some other substrate. Usually there are perforations in the liner to allow the consumer to easily push and remove a section to expose the product.
Clamshell is a totally different animal. There is plenty of talk out there on the Internet about litigation in personal injury situations due to this type of packaging. I'm somewhat a staunch supporter of ridding our shelves of that crap. I have a few scars to prove my case too!
I dread having to remove anything from a clamshell that isn't user friendly. I've ruined a few pair of scissors too. Not to mention a scratch or two on the counter top from missing the mark. Luckily it wasn't my hand. :)
