Plastic Box Cutter?

[Keebler Elf]

I saw an ad on TV for some kind of new hand held tool that resembled a box cutter (exacto-knife) but was specifically designed for cutting open that plastic packaging that is usually used on electronics stuff and is really, really difficult to get open. You know, the kind where it's two halves of plastic sealed together to form a shell that you have to cut open.

For the life of me, I can't remember what this newfangled tool is called which is making it very difficult to find it in stores. I looked at Canadian Tire but didn't see it.

Does anyone know that of which I speak?

 

[alphabravo]

I can't remember what is called but I think it is available at Home Hardware.

 

[spatial_k]

I got one of these years ago (from IBM, of all places) and they just called it a cellophane cutter.

 

[ig-88]

The Pyranna:

http://www.pyranna.com/

Also, OpenX:

http://www.myopenx.com/

 

[spatial_k]

The Pyranna:

http://www.pyranna.com/

That's the one I have- very similar. It works pretty well.

 

[STASH]

It's a home Hardware product that they have a commercial for. I looked at it and I figured a good sturdy set of scissors does the same thing.
That what i usually use for those packages. Why pay 12 bucks for that redundant tool

 

[ig-88]

It would seem to me that the purpose is to "cleanly" open a product, so as to be able to return it.

Well, opened is opened. Maybe if you get a really inattentive returns cashier, you may get away with it.

But, if the goal is to be able to return something without it looking like it's been opened, I don't think that's going to work.

 

[Keebler Elf]

The goal is to easily open plastic packaging, not to do so inconspicuously.

I wouldn't give much thought to the clerks not being able to use it effectively. I don't think many kids working in stores these days can tie their own shoelaces properly either. Once you figure out how to work it, it probably does what it's intended to do very well. Otherwise HH wouldn't bother stocking it.

 

[oldjones]

Since my 'box-cutter'—Olfa™ knife, Exacto™ being entirely unsuitable for anything but modelmaking—does the job just fine, I fail to see the need for a single-purpose tool to replace it.

The package designers' intent was to make it hard to open and deter in-store inventory shrinkage. If these tools (there have been several talked about recently Is Xmas coming?) take off, count on packaging to become even more resistant.

Better bet: Agitate for packaging to legally remain the manufaturers'/retailers' responsibility. Have them remove it at the counter as they already do with dyetags, RFIDs, DVD cases and such. Pay as you throw trash is coming to TO. Act now!

 

[Keebler Elf]

No thanks. I'd rather just buy this new gadget.

 

[biog]

Since my 'box-cutter'—Olfa™ knife, Exacto™ being entirely unsuitable for anything but modelmaking—does the job just fine, I fail to see the need for a single-purpose tool to replace it.

The package designers' intent was to make it hard to open and deter in-store inventory shrinkage. If these tools (there have been several talked about recently Is Xmas coming?) take off, count on packaging to become even more resistant.

Better bet: Agitate for packaging to legally remain the manufaturers'/retailers' responsibility. Have them remove it at the counter as they already do with dyetags, RFIDs, DVD cases and such. Pay as you throw trash is coming to TO. Act now!

Pay as you throw trash is already in TO if you own a business.

 

[oldjones]

Quite right, and it's coming to householder trash in '08.

So, since the cost of the retailer-purposed, hateful clamshells is already in the price we pay, make the retailers dispose of it. They'll pressure their suppliers to make it minimal, or re-usable, like their other ant-theft devices, and compete by lowering their prices accordingly.

As per Econ 101. Will this be on the exam Professor?