19 April 2005
Customer Rules, part 3
Rule #3: Do NOT open up the products!
I've never figured out why so many people think it's necessary to rip open the packaging of the product to see what's inside -- most things have a picture and a description of the product on the outside. Many companies make the packaging with plastic see-through "windows". And yet, time and time again, I find ripped open boxes sitting on the shelves. Even if you're careful not to rip the packaging, and to put everything back in when you're done, it's still a problem. Here's why:
1) Other customers/children, who aren't as careful as you, see you doing it, think it's ok, and do it themselves. Chaos ensues.
2) Even though you're careful, you don't realize that a piece has dropped out of the box, fallen on the floor, and rolled under the shelves. Whoever buys it (you or some unsuspecting customer) will be cranky that it's missing a piece and have to return it, causing the store to lose money and the buyer to lose time.
3) Even though you're careful, you accidentally rip the box. You eventually decide not to purchase the product, and put it back on the shelf. Now no one else will buy it, because the box is torn!
4) The employees don't know that you're one of the careful people, so they have to keep an eye out to make sure that the packaging isn't torn, and that no pieces are lost.
What's most frustrating is that it's all so unnecessary. If people would take a minute or two to inspect the box, they would see the list of contents/explanation of how the product works/what kind of batteries are required/what the product is made out of/etc.
If you absolutely must grope the product, for heaven's sake, take it up to the front counter and ASK FOR HELP. Often the clerks will have tools to make the opening (and closing) process easier.
Why is this so hard for people to grasp?
I've never figured out why so many people think it's necessary to rip open the packaging of the product to see what's inside -- most things have a picture and a description of the product on the outside. Many companies make the packaging with plastic see-through "windows". And yet, time and time again, I find ripped open boxes sitting on the shelves. Even if you're careful not to rip the packaging, and to put everything back in when you're done, it's still a problem. Here's why:
1) Other customers/children, who aren't as careful as you, see you doing it, think it's ok, and do it themselves. Chaos ensues.
2) Even though you're careful, you don't realize that a piece has dropped out of the box, fallen on the floor, and rolled under the shelves. Whoever buys it (you or some unsuspecting customer) will be cranky that it's missing a piece and have to return it, causing the store to lose money and the buyer to lose time.
3) Even though you're careful, you accidentally rip the box. You eventually decide not to purchase the product, and put it back on the shelf. Now no one else will buy it, because the box is torn!
4) The employees don't know that you're one of the careful people, so they have to keep an eye out to make sure that the packaging isn't torn, and that no pieces are lost.
What's most frustrating is that it's all so unnecessary. If people would take a minute or two to inspect the box, they would see the list of contents/explanation of how the product works/what kind of batteries are required/what the product is made out of/etc.
If you absolutely must grope the product, for heaven's sake, take it up to the front counter and ASK FOR HELP. Often the clerks will have tools to make the opening (and closing) process easier.
Why is this so hard for people to grasp?
# posted by mamurd @ 9:34 AM 
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You must realize that the picture on the box almost NEVER looks like the actual product. That's my primary reason for opening things, to make sure what I'm getting is actually what's being shown and described. And to see the actual size, color, etc. Often the product isn't even close to the marketing mumbo-jumbo put on the box. Just like the burger you order at a fast food place never looks like the photo.
# posted by 
: 7:01 AM
: 7:01 AM
That's sometimes the case, but I wouldn't say "almost never" -- at least in the types of stores I've worked. Some companies are really good about showing everything, and saying whether or not the pictures are life size. But I still find those boxes ripped open. It's like people don't even bother to check, they just rip it open!
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