I saw this thing at Target a while back and thought it might be the answer to my prayers.
It's called a Zibra Open It! It helps a little, but only a little. It still takes considerable time and I still end up with broken finger nails. Why do they have to package stuff like that?
I probably shouldn't be complaining since my husband works for a plastics company. It's kind of like biting the hand that feeds us, but I just get so frustrated. Do the manufacturers ever have to open their own product? Isn't that kind of packaging labor intensive for them? Doesn't it add quite a bit to the cost of the product?
And don't get me going on the child proof caps on cleaning products. I've started calling the manufacturers on their toll free numbers when I can't get the product open. I think I should be able to request a regular cap since I don't have children or grandchildren. You can do it at the pharmacy. Don't get me wrong, I think child proof caps are a great idea if there are children around, but there probably hasn't been a child in this house for a couple of years. Anyway, they tell me you can't get a regular cap because of Federal law. So, I have to wait for my husband to get home and open it for me. That's not very convenient. Then I end up putting it in the cabinet with the cap loosely on top. I don't think that's very safe, but the product is useless to me if I can't open it when I need it.
The manufacturers always pay me lip service. "We'll pass your suggestions on to the people that design the caps." Yea...sure. I've even asked if I could speak directly to the cap designers, but of course I can't. I'd like to tell them that I'm an able bodied person, but just not strong enough to turn their stupid cap. I don't have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I hate to think how difficult it must be for someone with a disability. The customer service people are always very polite and then at the end of the conversation they ask for my name and address so they can send me free coupons. It's like they never heard a word I said. Why would I want coupons for something that I can't even get open?
Thanks for letting me vent. :)
DEAR BETTY,
ReplyDeleteI AM WITH YOU FOR OPENING THE PACKAGES BUT WHAT CAUSED SOME OF THAT IS PEOPLE OPENING MERCHANDISE IN THE STORE AND NOT WANTING IT OR WANTING IT AND TAKING A PACKAGE THAT IS CLOSED AND LEAVING THE OPENED ONE TO BE DAMAGED OUT OR TO CUT DOWN ON THIEVES...WHO WOULD OPEN THE PACKAGES AND LEAVE THE PACKAGE ON THE SHELF AND STEAL THE MERCHANDISE...MY DAUGHTER WORKED IN RETAIL AND IT IS AWFUL WHAT PEOPLE DO AND IT IS LIKE A POLICE OFFICER TOLD ME WHEN MY MOTHER AND DADDY'S HAS WAS BROKEN INTO....LOCKS ONLY KEEP HONEST PEOPLE HONEST......I DIDN'T LIKE THAT AT ALL BUT IT IS TRUE AND THE CONSUMER PAYS FOR THE SHOP LIFTER.........THAT IS WHY WE BREAK OUR NAILS AND IT TAKES A CHAIN SAW TO GET INTO PACKAGES.
BLESSINGS DEAR ONE
debbie
The child proof caps do me in, Betty. I struggle laboriously with my bleach bottle every time. Every blessed time. The last time I bought a bleach bottle it had an ordinary cap. It's enough to make a person go quite insane. You are not alone...
ReplyDeleteBetty, you are so right about the caps and the packaging. Those items encased in that gigantic, heavy molded plastic, it is sick. I used to get the most awful cuts on my fingers when trying to open those horrible packages, but I guess I've gotten better at it. I slice the object free with an exacto knife. It'll be a terrible cut if the knife ever flies. It's just nuts and what a waste of plastic and landfill room.
ReplyDeleteBetty, packaging and I are on a hate, hate basis...with two grandkids and lots of toys, it is the single most frustrating thing I deal with I think. Even Barbie is tied, wired, strung and surrounded by plastic that just will not come apart these days...and what to do with it all when I finally do get it apart..my recycling bin is full of what is allowed, my garbage bags get shreded by the sharp plastic of what is not allowed into recycling...sheesh...and don't even get me going on child proof caps...the only one who can get them off quickly and efficiently is the 23 month old who is supposed to be kept out of them!!
ReplyDeleteLinda
Linda
A post after my own heart! I find it so difficult to open things, from mineral water bottles to cleaning products. Once I tried to cut a plastic bottle open and cut my thumb instead and had to have stitches in it! Like you, I don't have a child in the house but can see the need for childproof tops. I just wish manufacturers would consider the rest of us as well!
ReplyDeleteI learned that a seam ripper works great on packages like the ones you shared. Many fits and starts with other methods were just too cumbersome and frustration. I just jab my seam ripper in and slice away (away from me and my other hand of course). Try it, you might like it. And, childproof caps can be had by calling ahead to your pharmacy to get ones that screw on.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding that my hands just don't have the strength that they had even just 5 years ago...sigh. No reason other than arthritis according to my doctor. But I just trudge through it and ignore it...certainly not going to pay attention to it or it will win!