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Consumer Watch: Maddening Product Packaging

Have you ever run into this? You find something at the store. You buy it. Then you can't get it open -- light bulbs, tools, and of course, toys. Consumer Reports asked people about tough-to-open packages and got a mountain of complaints, including ones about toys.

Testers wrestled with more than 25 products. Tied for the worst: An Oral-B toothbrush and a set of dolls called the Bratz Sisterz. In all, testers counted over 50 restraints in the dolls' annoying package.

There are special tools to help you open packages. But Consumer Reports says the problem with each of them is that none works well on all types of packages. In the end you might be better off with a good pair of scissors.

There is some good news on the packaging front. More products are coming in clamshell packaging that you can just peel open. And many foods, over-the-counter drugs, and some toys are coming in packages that are easier to open.

Consumer Reports has no commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor appearing on this Web site.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For more helpful consumer information, visit Consumer Reports on the web. Just click on the link: Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports is a fee-based Web site. Many of the articles require a subscription.

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