Quinn Socket Packaging...WTF?

[zendriver]

I don’t know…is it pathetic to refuse to fight some cheap plastic packaging for some low rent sockets, when you can get decent tools in packaging that requires no drama?

I would argue that it is not.

People have to work on their own vehicles because they can’t afford to take them to a shop. So they go to Harbor freight to buy inexpensive tools.

They aren’t smart enough to figure out how to take the sockets off the holders, so they just return hem and go buy something more expensive elsewhere that it’s easier to remove from the packaging

This is modern American in a nutshell nowadays

 

[Ohio Andy]

People have to work on their own vehicles because they can’t afford to take them to a shop. So they go to Harbor freight to buy inexpensive tools.

They aren’t smart enough to figure out how to take the sockets off the holders, so they just return hem and go buy something more expensive elsewhere that it’s easier to remove from the packaging

This is modern American in a nutshell nowadays

Well, I easily saved over an hour of time by doing that. I was in the parking lot immediately outside the store and I was able to get the new part in under 5 minutes. If I had driven back to my tools I would have lost 30 minutes each direction plus the time required to remove from the packaging.

If I want to use it right now and I have people waiting on me.... I often do what is most expedient.

Note that I don't always do what is most expedient. I recently bought a large set of sockets and ratchets. I needed a place to put them, so I built my own cabinet... Took the time to order the nicer full extension over travel slides, I purchase curly Maple for the fronts, and then I spent a lot of time building and finishing the cabinet. But then I didn't have people waiting on me

 

[Jbear]

People have to work on their own vehicles because they can’t afford to take them to a shop. So they go to Harbor freight to buy inexpensive tools.

They aren’t smart enough to figure out how to take the sockets off the holders, so they just return hem and go buy something more expensive elsewhere that it’s easier to remove from the packaging

This is modern American in a nutshell nowadays

I think this kinda misses the point a bit (not that I disagree in principle regarding people in general). It's not that people can't figure it out...it's the comedy of how it's disproportionately packaged.

 

[whateg01]

I think this kinda misses the point a bit (not that I disagree in principle regarding people in general). It's not that people can't figure it out...it's the comedy of how it's disproportionately packaged.

Based on this thread, there are people who can't figure it out. But they'll make fun of people who don't know that their engine needs oil to live.

 

[Jbear]

Well...that's gonna happen. I certainly wouldn't make fun of anyone, as I am someone who has lived my life with a math learning disability. I look at it as a challenge, but there's just certain stuff my brain won't do. It actually helps me as a teacher because I know how that kid feels. I approach it as an obstacle...not a barrier.

 

[Kurt4440]

This is Garage journal - everything requires drama.

The drama has definitely increased over the last few years, however, the sentiment of, "my choice of tools is better than your choice" has changed from country of origin to brand of tools, during my tenure here.

I did joke around with the cashier at Harbor Freight a while ago when she was scrutinizing my $100 bill, I asked, " do you really think I would be shopping here if I was printing money?" Luckily, she laughed.

Finally, I agree that some packaging has gotten out of hand, and since most people like to gripe about engineers, now is your opportunity to pile on packaging engineers.

 

[zendriver]

I think this kinda misses the point a bit (not that I disagree in principle regarding people in general). It's not that people can't figure it out...it's the comedy of how it's disproportionately packaged.

I wonder if we are not just cherry picking for sake of argument.

Wife purchased a cheap remote control motorcycle toy for grandson, from Dollar General. It took plenty of cutting, loosening of wire wraps etc, to free it from it's packaging. I think it was like $12. Securement of contents position and keeping from deforming packaging during shipment (6,000 miles) has a lot to do with how things are packed. Sockets are kind of weighty, maybe they need more. Personally I've never purchased any elsewhere in some time, so I don't know how tight the brands are packed at Menards, HD etc.

One could suppose that stepping on a tool truck and paying big for whatever, certainly alleviates one from dealing with excess packing.

If that works, have at it.

Hard to believe for some, but HF has theft problems - just like everybody else even with their "China Junk"

Someone mentioned buying "better tools" not sure if it's like this elsewhere but our local Ace Hardware has all of their "good stuff" tightly packed and secured to the pegboard displays. Someone has to get some special key and detach every item. Milwaukee Dewalt etc. power tools, all behind bars.

 

[Jbear]

All I wanted to do was vent about my comically frustrating "adventure" with the package and make fun of HF and myself. I'm not angry and I'm not putting anyone down.
Can't speak for anyone else.

 

[Aaron_W]

The closed sets where you have a storage box to keep them are not too bad, but if you got one of the open sets they are a pain, and not a great means for storing them later either.

I got the Icon 1/4" socket set that is all the rage during the 40% off sale. That thing had one of the toughest blister packs I've ever had to deal with. The clear plastic of the blister must be 1mm thick. I was about ready to get my Sawzall when the utility knife finally broke through.

 

[Aaron_W]

Reminds me of one of the Dennis Leary comedy CDs where he opens with a rant about how hard it is to open a new CD.

Don't run across them much these days, but boy they could be fun. The tightly packed cellophane wrapper with the tab that was supposed to peel the plastic off, but usually broke leaving a plastic strip as a little belt around the case, the stupid dogbone thing...

Yeah, good times.

 

[myusername]

Anti-theft ruining the product.

Well, I easily saved over an hour of time by doing that. I was in the parking lot immediately outside the store and I was able to get the new part in under 5 minutes. If I had driven back to my tools I would have lost 30 minutes each direction plus the time required to remove from the packaging.

If I want to use it right now and I have people waiting on me.... I often do what is most expedient.

I'm with Ohio Andy. The manufacturer can deal with a non-saleable return if the sales staff can't even open the product.

Malicious compliance all the way, bad products deserve to be called out