Amazon to ditch packaging in the run up to Christmas

[TheCaribbeanIsCallingMe]

Heard the advert on the radio - Amazon are ditching packaging where possible, so whatever you order, should arrive in the manufacturers box, with your address label stuck on the side. So, let's say you order Sony headphones, the address label will be stuck to the Sony box. I'm all for wasting less, but AIBU to think that this is just a stupid idea?

A) The address label will be stuck to the product, which won't look great for gifting or even selling on. Also, if you return it, the labels don't come off, so what then?

B) In the run up to Christmas, it's fairly important that packages arrive in a concealed box or wrapper, especially if children are still little and around when the delivery man comes.

I wouldn't mind paying a little bit extra for a "concealed wrapping" option. But to just say no wrapping has put me right off.

I assume you can still pay for gift wrapping - which is just those bags they put them in.

I think it’s a good idea. My boxed item really doesn’t need to be put in another box that just fills up my recycling bin.

They claim it's because they care about the environment, it's not. It's because it's nearly Christmas and they know how annoying this will be for people - annoying enough that they'll pay £4-£10 for gift wrap to mitigate it.

I worked for Amazon, literally all they give a shit about is money, money, money.

Presumably they will use easy-peel labels. As for the second point, if this is really a major concern, you could always shop in person or use any online store other than Amazon.

I am assuming you can pay more for discrete packaging

Or perhaps help reduce the monopoly and order elsewhere, amazon isn't cheaper anymore just easier.

But yes will be hard to keep the magic of christmas with an amazon address label stuck to the cling film

So shop in the high street!

Meh.

Maybe the motivation is money, but it means they start reducing the ridiculous amount of packaging that lots of things get sent in, that's a good thing.

There will remain the option to request packaging, so if it is a gift or whatever, then just tick the box.

Stuff is just going to get stolen. Amy expensive tech will mysteriously get lost in transit.

I do? We're talking about Amazon packaging at the moment though.

Do you often reply to people's posts with completely unrelated commands?

I often receive packages from Amazon in the manufacturer's packaging so I don't think it is a Christmas thing.

@Chiseltip items considered expensive and desirable have to have a code from the person who bought it before they can hand it over and they type that into their handheld device. So they can't "deliver" it without that code. We have had this for a few items. It has to go down as "delivered to customer" they can't leave it somewhere.

They've done that for ages
Expensive stuff needs a pass code.

Its worth considering getting it delivered to lockers if you are worried

There’s a huge difference between arriving in product box and the ridiculous over packaging they do- surely they could just ensure things go in the right sized cardboard packaging?

Would the address label then not be on the wrapping? Most labels are not easy peel, annoyingly!

I didn't know you could get stuff delivered to lockers. Interesting!

I can't shop on the High Street, I literally work 7 days a week (self employed). To be honest, even if that wasn't the case, I hate shopping and I think going to the shops is an awful experience. The last time I tried, you couldn't put change into the parking meter, I had to download an App (!), mass confusion, a queue of about 15 people waiting to pay to park, stood there for at least 20 minutes waiting in the cold for that, and then when we got to the shops, they were utter rubbish. Amazon are so much easier by comparison, apart from this niggle.

They did this last year with some stuff. My SIL’s Christmas present from BIL was left on their doorstep (which is right on the pavement) with just a label on the box. Luckily she knew what he was getting her and the neighbours saw the parcel and took it in as it was a £150 item!

I once bought DS a Nerf gun for Xmas. Not only was it only packaged in its own box, it was left on the doorstep for my son to see and it was pissing with rain and it was soaked. Utter stupidity. I complained and got a replacement, but it still ruined my boy’s surprise 😠

YANBU. Surely it'll make it easier for porch pirates to see they're nicking quality stuff they can resell !

So don't order from Amazon.

At checkout you should be given the option to choose between packaging and none.

They already do that for some parcels. We’ve just received stuff in the orginal plastic bag they packaged in. With label on top.

The issue I have is more than people will see what it is. As parcels are often left … well anywhere … can you imagine? Oh a pair of headphones! Great! I’ll help myself then.
They claim they have delivered. You’ve lost your product…..

Small products are likely to get lost (whether during transport or when ‘left in your safe place’) etc….

I think it’s going to create a lot of problems ESPECIALLY around Christmas.
But it’s cheaper isn’t it?

That is going to be annoying.

It happened with me last year (although not from Amazon). We ordered a massive LOL dolls house. Fortunately, the delivery driver knocked on the door first and said it had no packaging so did I want him to hide it somewhere.

Potential nightmare though.

I work in a supermarket. We take Amazon deliveries, so you can come to the shop and collect your parcels and do your food shop at the same time! It might be worth thinking about if you're ordering something expensive and need it to be secure and in the dry.

This is going to be fantastic for me, i'm living under a mountain of cardboard since I was invited to Amazon vine.
3 free items a day.

I've never had this option! How weird. Because that would be fine.

Amazon has been doing this for some time with certain packages, so it's not exactly a new idea from them.

I didn't know this! Thank you!