The right packaging is needed to keep a product safe during delivery. But it seems like some people missed that point entirely. Take a look at these packaging fails to see what we mean...
All This for That
Many people prefer online shopping in the digital era, as it has proven to be a time-efficient method. Individuals can browse the sites for hours, offering a wide array of products, until they find the most suitable one for their use. And waiting for the products to arrive solely adds up to the excitement.
But what happens when you receive a huge package when you haven’t ordered anything that large? Most probably, you will think that it is a mistake. However, this individual was quite surprised when he found the battery he ordered from Amazon, camouflaged in a package instead of a bubble mailer or an envelope.
Social Distancing for Tape
Usually, when you order a bundle of goods, you expect them to arrive together. However, that’s not always the case. Take, for instance, this individual who received several masking tapes, each of which were packaged individually. Even though he received them at the same time, this is a waste of materials.
The most probable explanation is that the goods were pre-boxed awaiting shipment. Also, the company might have several warehouses, and they were experiencing a deficit in goods. Yet, many people don’t justify such retail shops’ actions. Consequently, they shame such inefficiencies in the online community.
The Never-Ending Bubble Wrap
Most people love buying new products packed in bubble wrap, as a pliable transparent plastic material that protects fragile items. In other words, the bubble wrap doubles the excitement of a purchase. Not only will you enjoy your new thing, but also have fun with popping the packaging itself.
The basic rule here is the more bubble wrap, the more fun for the customer. However, some companies certainly know how to take things to another level. For example, these men took a picture of the ever-lasting bubble wrap. Can you guess what the product was? It was a candle!
Ink Cartridges in A Fight
Like the masking tape mentioned above, these ink cartridges probably got into a fight as well. After all, that’s how it seems, seeing them separated into six different packages. Some might say this is a crime against the environment. However, we cannot access the company’s reason behind these actions.
They might have found it inevitable to send the goods this way, or maybe it’s the company’s policy. Nonetheless, it’s a waste of materials. The company should have dispatched the goods packaged in cushioned envelopes, smaller boxes, or one large box in the best-case scenario, separating the goods with little tissue papers.
A Bit Much
Out of all, the people ordering eco-friendly products want to see the environment get better and greener. So, it’s quite logical for companies selling such products to use eco-friendly packaging as well. But, as we can see from this picture, that’s not always the case. The question is, what happened?
This individual ordered a bunch of eco-friendly light bulbs. But instead of receiving them in an efficient package, he got an entire wave made out of the packaging. We assume that these materials are recyclable. But even so, there are smarter ways to pull this out.
Healthy Food Not So Healthy Anymore
One apple a day keeps the doctor away. Or at least that’s how it used to be. Nowadays, things have somehow taken a different turn. After all, most people prefer more natural fruits and vegetables, as opposed to ones full of chemicals. So, what happens when the apple comes packaged in plastic?
Many people find it ridiculous to destroy nature to protect nature’s products. When it comes to apples, in particular, there is no need for this kind of packaging. These products consist of a biodegradable, edible cover. It’s more efficient to use one bag for transports instead of wasting plastic, with no extra benefit.
When the Package is Better The Toy
A great example of a marketing strategy for increasing sales is the packaging of toys. When children visit a store, they tend to go for the toys that look the most appealing to them. So, going for an attractive, extraordinary, cute package only seems logical for firms.
However, this use of extra materials usually equals excessive waste or the company’s non-efficiency. In this picture, we can see how much waste is produced by these miniature toys. After all, the parent has taken the time to properly separate the ‘toys’ and ‘trash’ components of he product just to give us a bit of perspective.
More Than Child Lock
Most people purchase their medicine from the pharmacy. Even more, most companies bundle multiple pills in one pack or strip. However, you can only buy some pills individually, whether it’s because of the pill’s nature or the selling point. Nonetheless, the package may differ in such a circumstance.
For example, this individual has purchased a single tablet at the gas station. It’s certainly not rare for companies to use this merchandising technique. They use larger packets to create the illusion of more visual space, thus, higher-worth of products. Also, they may use the package for the prescribed or required information.
Protect the Screws at All Cost
No matter how long you stare at the picture, you will probably never guess the product within this package. Luckily, we have the answer. This company has ordered 700 disposable screws. However, they got them all packed individually, each of which was with a plastic threat protector.
Professionals in packaging instantly provided the answer. So tiny products must come in more oversized packaging to facilitate counting, prevent damage, or losing the goods and theft. However, others also advised there are still better packaging methods, such as bundling at least ten screws per package.
The Irony in Using Less Plastic
Can you imagine being ‘green’ and receiving an entirely plastic package for your eco-friendly goods? Well, this was exactly what happened to this individual. More exactly, they wanted to decrease their use of plastic, so they have ordered four reusable straws. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.
When the package of eco-friendly goods arrived, the individual took a photo to publicly shame the company, as it ruined their entire idea of preserving the environment. Instead of contributing to the cause, these individuals felt they have somehow done the opposite. After all, it sure is a waste of materials.
When an Envelope Is Not an Option
Once again, we are here to witness extraordinary cardboard and paper waste. As we can see from the picture, these people wanted a cool, new sign for their home. The question is, why did Amazon find it necessary to misuse so much material when they could have sent the sign in an envelope?
Many people also question these people’s actions, as they find it better to purchase such products in the local store. However, it is all a matter of preference. One might love the convenience of online shopping, whereas others prefer physical stores. Even more, no one could have predicted this happening.
Tea Boxes Are Fragile Goods
There are tea lovers and collectors that go far and beyond to get their favorite flavor. And sometimes, the local store doesn’t offer a wide array of tea leaves or boxes. So, the Internet is probably the next best option to purchase tea bags. However, this customer failed to predict this surprise.
Most often, people don’t expect additional products in their purchase. Even if they do, probably no one expects more than 30 feet of bubble wrap to come along their two tea boxes. The question is, when did tea boxes became so fragile that companies need so much material to protect the goods?
Micro Chip in A Macro Box
Ordering an 8 GB microchip on the Internet may be a far more exciting experience than one would imagine. After all, this person has received the chip in a relatively large box, shown in the picture. So, they could probably arrange a winning prize for the one to find the needle in a haystack.
Many people have highlighted the pros of the packaging. More exactly, the receiver can recycle the cardboard, get the shipment faster, and prevent pickpocketing. However, some cons include the excessive waste of boxes and paper, the surprise effect, and difficulty finding the chip.
The Art of Buying Batteries Online
Most people find it best to purchase batteries from the local store. However, not everyone can find what they need in their neighborhood, so eventually, they turn to online shopping. However, this is not the subject of discussion. The question is, why the company didn’t send the battery in the yellow envelope?
According to more experienced individuals, envelopes are easy to lose or steal. Furthermore, the delivery system scanners handle more giant boxes quicker. For these reasons, some companies prefer to waste some materials on the packaging. But the aim is not always worth the means.
15 Days Worth
When you change your insurance company, there is a high likelihood that you will experience some changes. Take, for instance, this individual who suddenly needs to pay for his/her medication, as the new company refuses its funding. Consequently, they have explored other possibilities or getting free samples from their doctor.
But what they didn’t expect was the scope of packaging for 15 days of pills, or the one shown on the picture. Generally, free samples include small amounts of the drug, as people use them for trial. Even though the packaging is not efficient, it consists of the prescribed info needed for users.
Taking Things to Another Level
Up until now, we have reviewed cases depicting waste of materials. But this individual certainly took things to another level. The sender didn’t only misuse packaging materials. He further complicated the situation by assigning unique tracking numbers on each particular product, even though it was a bulk order.
In the end, the customer received 50 separate envelopes for the 50 items he ordered on Amazon. The only logical explanation is that the goods were pre-packed and ready for shipment. However, they could have been easily lost or stolen in the mail. Even more, it was probably more costly to deliver.
The Skincare Products’ Camouflage
Most people love the excitement of unpacking new products, especially when it comes to gifts or similar surprises. However, sometimes there is no point in adding excessive papers or other materials to achieve this effect. Take, for instance, Dr. Perricone and its skincare products’ packaging.
This customer has provided an excellent depiction of the misuse of the material. More exactly, we can see that the smallest boxes are safe on their own. There is no need for additional protection. Well, except for bundling the products and transport. Even so, one big box or package would be enough for the cause.
Finding the Hidden Treasure
Some companies waste so many materials on the packaging that it makes a person wonder. Does the sender want me to treasure hunt my product through the papers? Is this some marketing strategy? Or did the company not think this through? Unfortunately, we don’t have your answer.
The only thing we can point out is this hideous, excessive packaging for a single, miniature microchip. After all, we have to thank some individuals and the internet community for sharing their questionable experiences. If you are looking for it, then the actual item is inside the tube with a red lid.
Deficiency of Small Packages
At this point, we started questioning whether there is a deficiency of small boxes on the market. After all, there are so many more efficient ways to ship the goods than waste cardboard, paper, and bubble wrap. Nonetheless, the company seemed to prefer this way. So, let’s dig into details.
This individual has ordered an eco-friendly cup. The irony is in the size of the product, along with the purpose of the customer. The question is, what can you do in such a case? One option is to recycle or reuse the excessive materials. You can also give them to your local UPS or other package and delivery store.
Sorting Out Copper Tubing
There are so many reasons why senders or delivery companies prefer individual packaging to send your goods. It enhances the safety of your products along with the delivery time. However, the critical point is that these methods don’t consider the adverse effect on the environment or pollution.
For example, this individual has received 20 envelopes. Each envelope consisted of one piece of copper tubing, which doesn’t take much space. The company could have easily fit all components into one envelope or at least chosen a recyclable material for the package. Unfortunately, they didn’t.
When They Conceal It Pretty Well
No matter if you are a make-up addict or you've just seen the products in the store, you are probably aware of the size of a concealer. The question is, why would Sephora send the product in such a huge package? Are they trying to conceal the concealer so that no one would crack the camouflage?
According to some professionals, purchasing several box sizes is more costly for companies. So, they may decide to go for one size packages or at least decrease the scope. However, this explanation is more applicable to start-ups, or smaller companies with limited resources, as opposed to big industry names.
Another Day, Another Battery Fail
Most of all, we have seen hideous battery packaging fails on the Internet. More exactly, with each passing day, the community experiences more such events. We cannot determine whether the companies oversee this issue or find it too costly to resolve it. After all, it’s a waste of resources.
We have encountered several jokes regarding the battery packaging. One person pointed out, “You were lucky not to throw the battery away with the packaging accidentally.” Others also highlighted the importance of shopping for batteries in a local shop, the chemists or petrol stations, instead of Amazon or the Internet.
Kitty Litter with An Extra Toy
When you decide to purchase a kitty litter bag, you don’t usually expect to receive anything for free. However, this individual has received 50 feet of paper in addition to the one bag of kitty litter. At this point, you may be thinking, that is, an inefficient way of packaging and waste of materials.
However, if you start thinking from your pet’s perspective, you might end up extremely satisfied with the purchase. Your cat will be able to play with the complimentary paper toys and box. You can also recycle the paper. Well, at least these are two ways in which you can reverse the damage.
Where Are the Mini Cast Irons?
If you are one to get around the kitchen, you might want to buy some additional tools to improve your meals. Also, you might want to try out some new recipes, so you go to Amazon and purchase some kitchen tools and equipment. Or, at least, this was the case shown in the picture.
This individual went for the mini cast irons as the perfect tool for preparing breakfast. However, once they got the package, they couldn’t abstain from sharing it with the rest of the Internet. After all, finding the two small appliances in the big box filled with papers was like winning the lottery. Bingo!
The Drumstick Dilemma
This person has ordered three pairs of drumsticks, all from Amazon. However, when the customer received the package, he was a bit shocked. Why would someone waste so many materials or pack the drumsticks in separate boxes way more extensive than necessary? Well, we might have an explanation for this one.
Many people don’t understand this thought process. More exactly, it’s a platform presenting many sellers. So, buying several products from different sources is the same as going to several different physical stores. Even more, one store may have more than one warehouse, resulting in several packages.
What You See Is Not What You Get
Most probably, the first thought that went through this customer’s head was, “Wait, what did I buy?” When you order a package, it may take the company several days or even weeks to deliver it. So, eventually, you might forget what the product you were expecting was.
To add to the confusion, some companies find it necessary to deliver comprehensive, confusing packages even for the smallest of goods. Take, for instance, this individual who has come upon many airbags. It was only to discover that the Bepanthen was at the bottom of the package. It was indeed, a journey!
Sound Small Item Protection
As mentioned before, small items can be the trickiest when it comes to packaging. In this case, we couldn’t correctly detect what the remote object is. However, we understand that the critics’ comments stem from the product’s size and not its nature or functionality. So, it’s not as relevant as it might seem.
Now, imagine getting all these forms and envelopes as part of the miniature object’s packaging. It sounds quite frustrating, doesn’t it? Yet, some individuals came forward with facts regarding safety and deliverability. In the end, it all comes down to the company delivering your goods and their policy.
Plastic on Plastic on Plastic
What is worse than a plastic straw? It’s probably a bunch of plastic straws, each of which is individually wrapped and stored in plastic. These goods are non-reusable and harmful on their own. The packaging only adds to the adverse environmental effect. The question is, why would someone purchase such products?
This purchase makes perfect sense when you think in terms of a business in the food industry. Take, for instance, a restaurant. It’s quite logical for them to use straws that are individually wrapped around. However, there are better, more efficient alternatives, such as metal or paper straws.
The Custom Eyeshadow Palette Misery
Last but not least, the Internet community has shamed this custom eyeshadow packaging. More exactly, this individual has purchased a make-up product offering a customization option. However, they didn’t expect that each eyeshadow color comes in its package, in need of an assembly.
The company probably found this the only way to provide its customers with the opportunity to create their palettes. However, we cannot justify anyone’s actions, as there are many innovative and progressive methods on the market. In the end, everyone makes and accounts for their business choices and actions.
Seriously?
Gosh... If only nature would find a way to cover this fruit so that we didn't need to use so much plastic on them. Oh wait, they totally do and this is just another fine example of unnecessary packaging. Seriously, there is no logical explanation behind this one, we're just as disappointed as you are.
Maybe this store was trying their best to give their customers the convenience of having the fruit already pealed. However, not only does this shorten the amount of time that the fruit will stay fresh, but it is also a giant waste of plastic. We can only hope that the customers knew better than to buy this silliness.