[Source Kotaku]

Death to Clamshell Packaging

I'm not much of a religious man, but every time I have to break out the kitchen shears to open a set of earbuds or a spare controller, I consider joining a faith just so I can believe in a hell just so whoever designed clamshell packaging can burn in it.

And if you've skinned your knuckles trying to get to a product you bought, made by a company that treats all of its customers like shoplifters, well, now comes word via CNET of a movement to get rid of clamshell packaging. Yay. Naturally, it's something of a green-backed movement, which means it'll need about 15 years to take hold in the U.S. The expansion of big-box stores doesn't bode well for clamshell's demise. My guess also the revenue stream represented by completely bullshit restocking fees — which is to Best Buy what a security deposit is to a landlord, money for nothing — might keep the clam with us awhile, too.

Still, there are people who share our pain and want to do something. Now if they could just do something about DVD packaging. There's another circle of hell waiting to be occupied.

Killing the Oyster Pack [CNET News.com]

Finally!!

I much prefer being able to open a new controller etc without running the risk of major bodily harm in the process lol

While, as a consumer, I hate clamshell packaging as much as the next guy, it simply can't be beat for products and I've used it several times in my designs.

Durable, theft-proof, great product display, small footprint, it offers all those things in spades.

But I hate opening that shit. Terrible. I've actually cut myself a few times on that plastic packaging.

I hate that kind of packpage, but so far is sort of secure vs stealing (You can easily open an old paper + plastic packpage and get some of the merchandise)...

But now is everywhere, sometimes looks like you need a crowbar...

Finally ... my fingers can get some rest . Man I hate this packaging method :?

I agree with you on every point. Given the choice between clamshell and not-clamshell (it doesn't happen often, but it does happen) I chose not-clamshell every time, even though in my experience it's been more expensive for me to do so. Even so, I don't see them going anywhere for a long time.

DVD (and CD) cases, on the other hand; I've noticed *many* movies (at least of the movies I watch) recently releasing their DVDs in more carbon-friendly packaging, which just so happens to also be consumer-friendly. From Digipacks (most, but not all TV shows) to pure cardboard (Bender's Big Score, There Will Be Blood) to crazy hybrids that I don't know what to call. I don't see old-style DVD cases going away for good, if only for video stores, but DVD cases have started being much better.

The ones that I hate are the normal DVD cases that also have the little latches... ugh.

Yes. Die, die, die, please, die.

Please let it die, I hate this packaging so much.

There really should be some easy tear part to it. Not neccessarily tear, but a "seem" which when cut, opens up the packaging.

I accidentally cut a power cord in half because of stupid clamshell packaging...it was stupidly wrapped near the top of the package but you couldn't see it, so I scissored right through it...