I don’t know about you guys, but I’m quite fond of ordering things on-line. It’s easy, convenient, and oft times less expensive. You can bargain shop without going anywhere or clipping coupons. Not that I don’t like to shop, because I do. On occasion. I like to stroll through a mall and allow myself to be drawn into a shop because of a cute window display or the enticing aroma of something I might have to buy.
But shopping on-line is a little scary sometimes. You never really know for sure what color something is until you see it. You’re never one hundred percent sure something is going to fit without trying it on. And returning things can be a challenge as well. I usually only order clothing on-line from companies where I have already shopped in the store, so I know the quality, brands, sizing, etc.
What I find fascinating is how items are packaged when I receive them. Sometimes I’m expecting something in a box only to discover it in a plastic envelope crammed into my mailbox, crumpled and nearly indistinguishable upon opening. Sometimes I’m expecting the plastic envelope and get a box. You just never know. Sometimes something relatively small comes in a huge box. Other times things come in one giant box that should have been delivered in two or three smaller boxes.
Sometimes you get a gazillion of those tiny air pillows in a big long chain, sometimes bubble wrap, sometimes Styrofoam cubes. Sometimes you get scrunched up packing paper or wadded up newspaper. And sometimes you don’t get any of that and you should have. For example, I recently ordered 2 boxes of chandelier bulbs from Amazon. I ordered them with several other items, but of course, they all had to be shipped on separate days, in separate containers of varying sorts. More packaging.
Back to the bulbs, when I picked the box up from my front porch, I heard a tinkling sound. I couldn’t for the life of me remember what I’d ordered that would have made that noise. Inside the box were the two smaller boxes free to move around and smack up against each other each time the box was turned sideways or upside down. No warning that the contents were breakable or to keep one particular side up or that the box was fragile. Just the brown box.
Both smaller boxes, about the size of the palm of my hand, contained 12 bulbs each and were inside one larger box but not packed tightly together. They’re light bulbs for God’s sake. They are made from very thin blown glass. They are breakable. Why were they allowed to tumble around all willy nilly like that?
Fortunately, only one of the bulbs was actually broken, but when I opened the first tinkling box, I figured every single one of them must be broken by the racket it made.
On the contrary, every time I go to the supermarket, they basically pack one item per plastic bag. Why? Those bags can hold several items. Why one cantaloupe per bag? Put them both in one. Why the ketchup and maple syrup in one bag and the bag of rice in another? Put them all in one bag. They all fit. It won’t be too heavy for me to manage on my own. I roll my eyes every time the courtesy clerk starts bagging up my groceries. When I get to my car, I always take the time to stuff one or two bags inside another, the way they should have been bagged to start with. I must end up with ten unnecessary bags each time I go to the store. It’s senseless. The Amazon guys could have used those bags to stuff between the boxes of chandelier bulbs in my most recent order.
What say you dear readers, is it just incompetence or am I a packaging snob? Do you get things in big boxes when you’re expecting small? Or vice versa? Does packaging surprise or confuse you, too? Please tell me I’m not alone in this weird packaging sphere.
Word of the Day: Tiplorry
Fun fact about me: It’s been 2 years since my hair started growing back in. It’s about halfway down my back now.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, July 2020. Images by Patricia Rickrode, Pexels, and Google.
Stay connected with news about my books and other fun stuff by signing up for my newsletter: http://bit.ly/JansenSchmidtNewsletter
On Hallowed Ground is available at fine retailers everywhere: http://bit.ly/2KONmnf
On Common Ground is available at fine retailers everywhere: http://bit.ly/2BBu7bb
jansenschmidt 
My pet peeve with online orders is that both FedEx and UPS love to sneak up to the front porch and leave the package in plain view of the street – despite the fact we have grown hedges for the purpose of hiding packages – and then leave without ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door. Packages often remain on the porch for hours before we happen to see them. Grrr!
LikeLike
I only have that issue if boxes are large. Because you have to ascend 7 steps to get to my front door, and then there’s a porch about 5 feet wide, it’s not easy to see something laying on the porch from the street. I also have a vestibule and the delivery people here are pretty good about putting the packages inside that area. We get a lot of rain here so it’s a nice place to put things so they won’t get soaked.
I know that a lot of people have issues with stolen packages. That’s not really a thing here. At least where I live. (knocking on wood).
Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation. I hope you have a lovely week.
Patricia
LikeLike
I’ve wondered many times about small things from Amazon that come in huge boxes. Or that aren’t even breakable, and are wrapped in layers and layers of packing. I guess that’s better than not enough packing, like your light bulbs. OTOH, the grocery bags can be overpacked to the point they break. I’ve never seen a grocery store bagger do this, but I’ve done it myself!
LikeLike
Oh I have overpacked the grocery bags as well. Not fun when you’re halfway up the stairs and one busts apart spilling things all over the driveway. It’s fun for the cats, but not so much me. I try to find the happy in between.
Yesterday I received a book I had preordered about a month ago. It was delivered in a box that two pair of shoes could have fit in. 1 book. No packaging. Just the book sliding around in the too-big box. So odd.
Thanks for joining the conversation. I always enjoy hearing what others have to say on matters. Enjoy the rest of your week.
Patricia
LikeLike
Can’t believe the packaging you got with those bulbs. I think your bright bulbs were packed by a bunch of dim bulbs.
Agree that part of the surprise with getting a package is finding out what kind of stuffing they use. Of course I’m partial to the bubble wrap just for the fun I can have with it. The popcorn fillers are bad either, especially if you put butter on them.
I’m sure the kittens are overjoyed when the boxes get emptied.
Your word of the day was a stickler. Nearest I could find was is if it is two words it means a dump truck, lorry being a truck in England. Did you do this intentionally to find out if we are paying attention? Cruel.
P.S. Really enjoyed the virtual tour.
LikeLike
I’m convinced we as a human race are getting dumber (present company excluded). As smart as a lot of people are, for the most part, people are just stupid. I cannot believe some of the things people believe, do, argue about, and say. At first I thought it was common sense, but, nope, I’m certain it’s plain old-fashioned ignorance.
Anyway, a tiplorry is a dumptruck. In my dictionary it’s one word. On on-line sources, I’ve seen it both ways. Thanks for looking it up. I always wonder if people take the time to do that. I have fun finding them.
I’m glad you enjoyed the tour. I presume you saw all 3? My friend Robyn has been doing these little videos for quite a few years, showcasing area businesses and interesting people. I felt honored to be included. Or maybe she’s just running out of places to go so I was the default location. Who knows?
Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation. Always nice to see you.
Patricia
LikeLike
In the grocery I am advocate for the paper bag with handles. I loathe plastic bags, unfortunately paper bags are not available in many grocery stores or Target or Walmart, so I suck it up. My wife loves packaging – I am always amazed – by Apple’s packaging – which probably adds substantially to the cost of their products. And I think tiplorry has to do with mining is someway. Have a great day and keep a smile on that face under the mask, that is. Peace.
LikeLike
I miss paper bags as well, Clay. There were so much more manageable and they were easier to pack into your car because they were all the same size and shape. Nothing spilled out and rolled around, unless the bag tipped over, which you could prevent by packing properly. But, alas, I too am stuck with the stupid plastic ones.
I like your guess on the word of the day. However, it doesn’t really have to do with mining. Although I guess it could. A tiplorry is a dumptruck.
As always, thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the rest of your week my friend.
Patricia
LikeLiked by 1 person