Toy and Tool Packaging—An Adult Proof Nightmare
Posted: Wednesday, September 03, 2008
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
If you have ever gone shopping (like we all won't spend millions just a few months from now doing just that) for kid's toys, you can relate to my frustrations. We make our purchases and rush home all enthusiastic about the gleeful expression we are about to see exhibited on some child's face---this is especially true if they are our grandchildren. If you are anything like me, this is an every day occurrence. I can't pass a toy department anymore, even when I'm alone, without checking out the newest creations for the under twelve.
Most two-year olds can't understand such time-consuming mechanics involved in the opening a child's toy and most adults---of any age---can't phantom the logic for such extreme measures encompassed in this type of packaging. I have often asked myself---no one else being around to ask---why? (My husband seems to make himself scarce when there are toys to open or assemble) Is it because the theft rate is so outrageous for anything not tied down? Or the insurance so exorbitant for transporting loosely packed items? Are they a safety risk to the toes should an unconfined toy fall out of a box while being inspected by an unsuspecting customer???? I have my doubts about more people being injured by loose toys, than are hurt while trying to remove the toys from these horrendous contrivances! I knew a fellow once who tried to open one with a large firecracker; which worked but the toy that came out was useless.
The child, however, enjoyed it immensely, shouting, "Do it again, Daddy!"
On this particular day, my husband, Donnie, and I had made a trip to the mall to pick up a birthday gift for our young grandson. We had also made a stop by Sears where my husband had bought himself a new torque wrench--low and behold; the thing was enshrouded in the same type of cryptonite-type material used to package toys! This incredibly diamond-hard clear plastic that allows you to look-but-don't-touch the merchandise---ever! Not even after you get home!
At any rate, my husband's passion is for tools--all tools--and he could not wait to get home. Since I was driving, he was free to open his new prize with a pair of scissors he had found in the glove box of the SUV. After wrangling with the package for twenty or so minutes, he finally managed to pry it open and remove his torque wrench. He was very proud of himself for whipping that hard plastic container into submission. Now for the life of me, I still don't know why he did it. But, I was driving sixty miles per hour down the open highway, when suddenly he rolls his window down about six inches (the approximate width of the long, thin plastic container, sans wrench) and sticks the container out just far enough to catch the wind.
Now comes the interesting part--that plastic container caught the wind and began to whip my husband's nose at a tremendous rate! Because of the force of the wind, he was unable to bring the container back into the window before it had completed its vengeance against him and he was black and blue and wailing at the top of his lungs.
Although concerned, naturally for his safety, I could not stop the gut-wrenching laughter that forced me to pull over and wipe the tears from my eyes before I could continue to drive on home. Again I can't stress enough the dangers of this type of packaging (giggle!). I could very well have run off the road that day. I no longer allow (of course, he hasn't offered to again) him to open his packages before he is in the safety of our kitchen.
I'm sure there are a million and one very plausible reasons for making toy/tool packaging adult-proof, but what are they? Now that I have said my piece, I think I'll enlist the aid of "Mr. Google" just to see if there is a website that can answer my questions. Then if that fails, I think I'll write my congressman---isn't that what we pay him for?
Have a good day and watch out for snares in the toy (or tool) department.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)hi sandra,i have experienced hundreds of the "packaged toys" so i know just what you mean. very frustrating. thanks for sharing your thoughts with us,my best regards,sueThanks for reading and commenting, Sue.Have good and promising day.Sandra
As an English person, I have a few problems with US English but despite that I found this an amusing article.Thank you for reading and commenting, Mandy. I'm so glad you enjoyed the article.Welcome to searchwarp, I'm looking forward to reading some of your articles.Sandra
HI Sandra,I had a good laugh while reading your article. I bet people in my office wonder, why is she laughing, she's the only one in the cubicle... LOL..Great article and yes those packages are a nightmare to open. I truly dispise them.. I would like to invite you to join my fan club if you would like to.Thank you so much, Angie. I am so glad you enjoyed the article---get your friends at work to read it, too. And am looking forward to reading some of your articles and joining your fan club.Good Luck and welcome to searchwarp.Sandra
Sandra, I know exactly what you mean. I sometimes wonder are we suppose to get in them. Or just admire the package from afar. Thanks for the laugh.Thank you, Deborah. Glad you enjoyed the article and had a good laugh. I'm not sure what they expect of us, but they certainly have no compassion for the consumer in general.Oh, and welcome to searchwarp.Sandra
Hi Sandra,Like everyone else I find those binders frustrating. I'm always afraid I'm going to ruin what I bought.KathyHello again, Kathy. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.Best wishes.Sandra
Great article and yes I hate those packages, too. Everything you buy now is encased in very hard plastic, screws, and wire tie wraps. What's the deal! Is theft that bad?Good article.DavidI'm not really sure myself, David. But it is probably more for theft reasons than any other thing. I know it is dismaying how much trouble it is to open these packages!.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
Sabdra, everythingw as great until you said "call your congressman". Only God knows why we pay them. As for the packaging it is always a nightmare. yes just like the assembly instructions. RobertSometimes our Congressman can help us (well, actually, I think the credit should really be given to his employees---at least they were the ones who did all the work for me when I needed him). But then, who else do we have---have you ever tried to address the President or Vice President directly????---Me, neither.Thanks for your comments, Robert.Sandra
I enjoyed this article. Toy packaging is horrible! Why do they do that? It makes no sense at all to me. I hate trying to fumble and fight with those things!I did get a good laugh out of your husband, that was too much!Wonderful article.Kaye W.Good to hear from you again, Kaye. Hope you made it home ok. Thanks for reading and commenting on my articles---I need all the help I can get.Sandra
Another great article. This was hilarious. Leave it to a man to let a wrapper beat up on him! Just kidding. Really great article.J.M.Thanks again, J.M. Glad you are reading more of my articles. I certainly appreciate the support. Come back again anytime.Sandra
Hi Sandra--thanks for the smile and the laugh. Cryptonite is the perfect description for the wrappings of any toy! Keep that hubby of yours safe :-)Thanks, Teresa, for reading and commenting. Glad you enjoyed the article. I like to make people laugh.Sandra
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