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 literally just had this problem today - a lovely gift for a birthday and it's got a horrible Amazon label on it that I can't take off. It's really rubbish.

https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/sustainability/how-amazon-is-reducing-packaging

just to reiterate, it’s an extension of the current policy to ship in own packaging, it’s detailed in product description and an option at check out.

They do give the choice! You can select whether you want it in manufacturer's packaging or Amazon's own, at no extra cost, when you select your shipping options. It's a big option that you have to tick, you can't miss it. And it has been like that for years. That's why this whole thread is a fuss over nothing.

Other retailers are available.

Personally I refuse to use Amazon due to their tax avoidance, and also try to shop locally instead, ideally through small businesses. No packaging issues that way!

But if needs be, then just click the packaged option.

Not possible for some things. I want to buy my partner some lovely Scottish soap that they have enjoyed in the past. I really can't make my way up to Argyll.

I shop at amazon.de. This has been going on for a few years at least. It shows up at checkout with the message "This item ships in the original packaging" and then says something like "Click here to ship in Amazon packaging". That means you can decide whether you want it sent as it is or to have it concealed. Normally I don't mind it being shipped in the original packaging and it saves waste but sometimes I don't want people to see what it is so I just click the Amazon packaging option.

My concern would be theft

Their packaging has always been inadequate. I work for Royal Mail and we deliver a huge proportion of their deliveries. I had 12 x 3 litre bottles of pop in a flimsy box this week. They've been doing loads of orders without packaging for ages.

The box of the item doesn’t matter. It’s a brilliant initiative

the two paperback books DH is going to order from Amazon will be absolutely ruined in this weather if not packaged properly

This is exactly what I was thinking. I know parcels can still get stolen if they are in anonymous wrapping,but I think this idea is asking for trouble!

They only do it for things that are already in packaging and the packaging is robust. They’ve been doing it for years. This is just an extension and as said it’s optional.

where we can reduce packaging we should, it’s wasteful in multiple ways. A giant box of cat litter doesn’t need to go in a box, two books do.

@TheCaribbeanIsCallingMe @ThisGentleRaven @acres11 @WhereIsMyLight

if you aim a warm hairdryer at the label for a few seconds it makes it easier to peel the label off whole. However, it still doesn’t get rid of the sticky patch where the label used to be. I did this recently and when I wrapped up the present, the wrapping paper stuck to the adhesive before I got it in the right place

YEP
Pedestrianisation is also part of the problem. I went to a retail park recently The place was rammed. It was BUSY People ARE willing and still want to go out and physically shop but when they purchase something breakable, eg crockery they want to be able to put it straight in the car not lug a heavy breakable item about and risk dropping it. People want and need to able to park near the store especially when purchasing a big ticket item. The fact that ppl are still so willing to physically go out and shop as was proved by the amount of ppl in a retail park on a normal Friday afternoon proves that online shopping is not the reason for lack of footfall in town centres.

They have done this in the past for some things I’ve bought and it looked horrible as they were gifts. I was buying a Barbie dream house for my daughter and it said somewhere that it wasn’t coming in a box. To be fair it’s huge but I obvs didn’t want my daughter seeing it. They lost a sale as I went to smyths and it came in a normal box from them.

Depends what it is blankets, books etc dont have a box. And the amount of times they've left something in my bushes/bin/on the path... and if you can see what it is that will only encourage theives

We could vote with our feet

At least you won't be unpacking some cheap book instead of your expensive thing you bought

Don't use Amazon. Problem solved.

Reminds me of the eco bollocks that supermarkets pull in their bakeries Uncovered food dressed up as artisnal No i dont want to eat food thats been touched by someone elses fluey dirty hands

I think I must live in a test area for this because I’ve been getting products like this for a year or more. Not every item, just some. I also live very close to an Amazon distribution center, so close that sometimes I get deliveries in less than an hour after I order something. It doesn’t always come boxed or bagged. It always gets to me just fine. Sometimes I get clothing or other soft items in just the clear plastic bag it’s stored in at the warehouse. Nothing is broken. Nothing is damaged. No labels ruin anything. It’s just a complete non-issue.

My sample size is large because I am disabled and do almost all my shopping online.

i appreciate the ease of not needing to unpack my deliveries and recycle as much packaging.

that's just not true - after reading about it on FB I double-checked my next order, and there was nothing of the sort you could select.

I have had some things with no packaging, it's fine, I have had clothes come in a clear plastic bag. Sometimes you can choose if you want it packaged

It’s been happening on a certain amount of goods for ages.

Produxts that could be delivered without additional packaging will have that information in the product section and then the drop down on the checkout page.

If you don’t have the option it is because it isn’t eligible for shipping in own packaging due to the nature of the product and will come in a box.