Amazon Frustration Free Packaging Makes a Difference

I had my first experience with Amazon.com's new frustration free packaging last week and I was very pleased.  Frustration Free packaging is a program Amazon rolled out several months ago and offers very minimal packaging for products in the program.  Currently there are only a handful of products in the Frustration Free program including some from Microsoft, Transcend and Fisher-Price.

I ordered a Transcend 8 GB SD Card for my camera and specifically choose the Frustration Free packaging option.  The SD card - which as you know is tiny came packaged in a thick durable paperboard envelope that was about the size of a 5 x 7 photograph.  Inside was the SD card in its travel case and the paperwork.  Thats it!  No plastic clamshell PVC packaging or anything.

Flash memory cards are nearly all packaged in clamshell type packaging - just go to your local big box retailer to see for yourself.  Buying the Transcend card from Amazon I didn't have to deal with unnecessary and wasteful clamshell packaging. 

Frustration Free packaging makes a ton of sense for Amazon and other online retailers because customers place their orders online - sales do not rely on people making buying decisions in the store.  Companies rely on flashy packaging to attract customers - but in the online retailer world that isn't necessary.  The ultimate question is will more companies participate in Frustration Free packaging or similar programs?  I think this program is a win win for everyone involved, Amazon, the customer and the company.

Comments

[Molly]

This seems like a great way to reduce waste, but will the products still be guaranteed to arrive safe and intact without all the extra cushioning?