Opening toys shouldn’t be this hard
December 28th, 2006Anybody else feel like they spent half of their Christmas simply trying to get toys out of their packages? When the heck did they start screwing toys to the box?
It’s pretty bad when you don’t need a screwdriver to assemble a toy, but you do need one to get the toy out of the box. If I ever meet the guy who came up with the idea for doing this, it ain’t gonna be pretty.
It was me, Tim.
Long time listener, first time caller….
My son is 13 months, and literally everything he got…From TMX Elmo to Little People sets to Push n Go train…has these 3 feet long wire bread-ties on steroids that attach them to the cardboard packaging. Not just twisted, but twisted and rolled and tied in some sort of knot. Didn’t need any screwdrivers to take them out of the package, but it’s a darn good thing I was a Cub Scout!
[I just use a knife in those situations.]
Eric,
Welcome. Thanks for the comment. And yes, the wires on steroids are a pain as well.
And just wait until your little man gets a bit older. I’m sure you’ll find the toys that require a screwdriver to unpackage.
AND, not only are they twisted, rolled, then tied, but the ends are taped to the package! On the positive side, I do have several “pocket screws” to add to the parts bin in my shop.
For those who are unfamiliar with pocket screws, those are the screws, nuts, bolts and other assorted parts that are always left over after assembling toys, appliances and the like. Sure, they may serve some purpose, but invariably they end up getting stuffed in your pocket.
I have a 16 month old daughter, so I am feeling everybody’s pain on this one. Tim, I thought about you the other day when I was pulling the ten pins out of my new dress shirt. You need to repost that rant from last year at some point.
Christmas Eve I helped my brother in law assemble toys and take some out of that packaging. He said they go ahead and take the screws and wires out before they wrap them. Just a little tip!