
This is my first nom so, if it passes muster, be gentle.
Although I do mean packaging in general, I am mainly targeting retail packaging and although I am no packaging Nazi there are two specific examples which have incensed me, one a couple of years ago and one this week.
As an example of what I deem to be good packaging, I recently bought a new brush motor for a vacuum cleaner. This was sent from the manufacturers, an engineering company, and was in a box that was only just big enough to contain the motor and the folded-up invoice/receipt. This seems to be fairly par for the course, they waste as little as possible. It was also free delivery.
Then you have the two examples of retail and it’s a shame you can’t post pictures on this site. (You can but it’s a bit of a faff sometimes – Day Admin)
One was from Amazon. They’re not exactly known for appropriate packaging but this was in another league. It was a saw blade. 21”x1.5” and obviously flat. It came in a box. This box was 24”x15”x8” and contained the blade along with a mile of brown paper filler. What was wrong with wrapping it in cardboard tape and then just shoving it through the letterbox? I wrote to them but, of course, they ignored me.
The second was this week. I bought a face mask online because I liked the design and received it yesterday. This is a face mask, the size of a folded handkerchief but thinner. It came in an opaque polythene bag. This bag was in a 9”x7”x6” box with fucking BUBBLEWRAP!
I emailed the company concerned saying as follows:
I’d like to register my utter disgust at being forced to pay £4.99 for delivery.
For a face mask.
Which was packed in an opaque polythene bag.
Which was in a large box.
Which was basically full of BUBBLE WRAP.
I have a degree in Textile and Knitwear Technology and I can assure you that cotton fabric doesn’t break, explode, crush or otherwise get damaged by being sent through the post.
It could have been sent in the polythene bag.
With an address label and a 2nd class stamp on it.
For 65p.
NOT £4.99!
I wonder if they’ll reply and how they will try to justify ripping me off for P&P.
Nominated by moggie63