Amazon Packaging/Delivery Is an Absolute Disgrace!!!

Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 18:46

What a Waste. How many times do you make an order from Amazon where package/boxes/separate items arrive in separate boxes but delivered at the same order arrive together?

4 items ordered together arrived at the same time in 2 massive boxes plus an average sized box & one padded envelope!!!
- 2x Quilton toilet paper 20 rolls, 1 x terry's chocolate orange, 1x Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredders Revenge - Nintendo Switch - 3 BOXES & 1 padded envelope which all would have fit in 1 of the big boxes I received !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (ALL AMAZON AUSTRALIA not independent sellers)

3 separate boxes and 1 padded envelope arrive at the same time!

Amazon are as inefficient as all the other sh1+ shows on offer, why do people make out they are something special?

Yes amazon tick combined items was selected!
All 4 items would have fit easy in 1 box with space leftover, even the 2x 20 quilton rolls would have fit in the same box so what am I missing?

General Discussion

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Comments

  • SBOB on 09/08/2022 - 18:49
    +167

    Amazon are as inefficient as

    You're assuming they all came from the exact same area in the same warehouse?

    Pretty sure Amazon knows a thing or 2 about logistics

    if it costs them less to throw things in 4 different packages than it does to try and co-ordinate items that could be in different areas of different warehouses , and make someone gather it all into one parcel….
    Well, that's what they will do.

      • VXCT on 10/08/2022 - 16:35
        +8

        OP, Amazon is a sinner more than packaging goes. They use child labour in 3rd world countries and they've done whole a lot of horrible things… best advice? boycott them or chain yourself to the front door of their warehouse or for your convenience their HQs in AU is in the downtown of Sydney near Townhall but please don't Google it as Google is as guilty as Amazon, walk to CBD (please don't take any train/bus/tram as the electricity the train use is likely by burning coals) and when you are in CBD don't buy bottled water in case you need water go to the nearby *** to drink tap water.

      • peterpaoliello on 10/08/2022 - 19:28
        +10

        Amazon are a logistics company first. They're inconstant box sizes too are a result of fitting varying size items perfectly on a pallet. They are absolutely on top of every nuance of getting something to your front door for lowest cost.

        • CalmLemons on 10/08/2022 - 20:00
          +5

          It actually doesn't fit on a pallet. Allocated orders are given directly to drivers.

          OP needs to be aware, the SAME ITEM can come from separate warehouses and be packaged by separate people from the same warehouse.

          I stopped ordering toilet paper from amazon as I found it quite embarassing as it comes in these large carboard boxes.

          However OP should understand over 95% of cardboard boxes are actually recycled and is some of the most efficient recycling processes we have vs recycling metals and other minerals.

      • 2025 on 10/08/2022 - 19:41
        +2

        Ever seen a picture inside their warehouse? Things aren’t always neatly grouped together. It looks like a Salvo’s store

      • quanticism on 12/08/2022 - 13:19

        Feel free to apply as a software engineer so you can implement the algorithm correctly. There's always trade-offs somewhere and I'd put my money on their engineering talent that's trying to optimize logistics across the entire company over a single anecdote about how things could have been more efficient in that particular case.

  • Gervais fanboy on 09/08/2022 - 18:50
    +48

    I don’t see any real problem here…

    So why did you post this again ?

    • nobro25 on 10/08/2022 - 11:20
      +6

      OP wants their package in "one piece" tapped with only duct tape. No boxes or any other necessities.

  • jackary on 09/08/2022 - 18:50
    +75

    My sister works for Amazon fulfilment. Your items may not have all come from the same fulfilment centre, or they came from the same fulfilment centre but were packed in different areas. It’s pretty simple really.

    what am I missing?

    You received all your items together and I presume in a reasonable condition. What exactly is your problem? What am I missing?

      • jackary on 09/08/2022 - 19:29
        +24

        In the warehouse, the workers actually have a screen in front of them that tells them what packaging to use, and sometimes it’s wrong - but the employees do as they’re told. They’re trying to meet wildly unrealistic KPI’s and aren’t paid enough to muck around with packaging. If the computer says your singlet needs to go in a giant box, it’s going in a giant box.

          • ConsumerAffairs on 11/08/2022 - 13:25
            +1

            @Pimpiticians 4 Life: It's not just about what fits, it is also about weight and handling issues for the workers that need to move possibly hundreds if not thousands of these boxes every single day. It's for the safety of these workers, from the Amazon workers at the fulfilment centre to the post distribution centre workers all the way to the postie that puts it on your doorstep.

            If I were you I'd just appreciate the extra boxes I get for free.

      • Joey2scoops on 10/08/2022 - 08:43
        +33

        I don't understand why people who are sensitive to such issues continue to order from places they are going to be unhappy with. This is not a new issue with Amazon in particular. If packaging trumps price, availability, delivery time etc then just don't order from them.

        • photonbuddy on 10/08/2022 - 15:30
          +2

          trumps

          Nothing trumps someone's need to have a whinge 🤣

        • SF3 on 10/08/2022 - 17:45

          This sound similar to people saying “sugar is bad, then drinks a few cans of coke”.

        • DingoBilly on 10/08/2022 - 21:34

          Exactly this.

          If you don't like a product/service…. then don't use it? It's not that hard.

      • ColtNoir on 10/08/2022 - 10:51
        +12

        Why are you sooking. The delivery driver got paid for 4 items at one address and you got your items.

        • callum9999 on 10/08/2022 - 23:18
          +1

          Seriously? It's 2022 and you're perplexed why someone is annoyed at excessive waste? You have to be lying…

          • ColtNoir on 13/08/2022 - 14:12

            @callum9999: People who are keen on reducing waste would vote with their feet, not complain on ozbargain. On the same token, they’d probably also be annoyed at exploitative wages in the gig economy.

            The irony of ordering from Amazon and complaining about waste.

  • HairyChickens on 09/08/2022 - 18:52

    Bezos

  • shrek4 on 09/08/2022 - 18:58
    +8

    I recently ordered 6x small sachets of casserole mix which I can’t seem to find locally. The 6 small packets were sent in a box big enough for 2x pillows to be packaged into. Completely ridiculous! A small padded envelope would have sufficed.

    • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 20:22
      -4

      I too have ordered several of the same items and Amazon posted it in huge box that would have fit 5x the amount I ordered.

    • Quantumcat on 09/08/2022 - 20:34

      That's pretty crazy considering all postage systems charge per volume when the weight is low and the volume is high

      • SBOB on 09/08/2022 - 21:08
        +6

        Not such a factor if it's shipped via Amazon distribution and Amazon flex drivers

  • El cheepo on 09/08/2022 - 19:00
    +1

    But did they all arrive on time and as described?

    Just because it’s not how you would run your multibillion dollar company doesn’t make it wrong.
    Wasteful yes, but that’s business.

  • ausdday on 09/08/2022 - 19:08
    +1

    and they shipped my 6 duralex glasses in padded envelope. 2 glasses broken on arrival. I would hope they overpackage sometimes.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 09/08/2022 - 19:09
    +2

    shows on offer,

    Who even comes close?

  • WreckTangle on 09/08/2022 - 19:11
    +30

    I disagree with this OP. I find Amazon delivery to be quicker and more reliable than most competitors. If i order something in Sydney it often arrives next day!

    • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 19:17
      -8

      You are correct on delivery speed (2 days including ordering on Sunday).
      However I will challenge anybody on ordering 2 of these?
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/717363
      Why 2 huge boxes? They fit in the same box + plus other items!

      • Asadjaral on 11/08/2022 - 17:13

        You also have to factor in that they also take into consideration any damage that might occur to your item inside the box leaving empty room as all theses boxes are stacked on top of each other. Sometimes heavier boxes crush lighter boxes on pallets when forwarding to delivery stations. Rather have damaged packaging then product I wanted.

  • morse on 09/08/2022 - 19:16
    +13

    I bet you’d be upset if your products were more expensive or took longer to get to you.

    Sorry but it seems bizarre to take advantage of Amazon’s format and services and then whinge about this aspect of it. Not ideal but most the packaging is recyclable.

    Remember they are not just catering to you so the truck coming to your location is also carrying a bunch of other peoples stuff. It’s not like they had 3 seperate vehicles only carrying your items.

      • morse on 09/08/2022 - 19:39
        +3

        But you were happy with the price and delivery time right?

      • Hybroid on 09/08/2022 - 19:41
        +7

        An order in the very next isle can cause a lot of issues from many facilities, but NOT the SAME PRODUCT AT THE SAME TIME, that is a failure (algorithm they call it these days that is costing them money).

        100% completely the opposite.

        The 2x Quilton rolls would have come from completely different ends of the warehouse, if at all even the same warehouse. Amazon's logistics methodology & stacking is completely random and they believe it's the most efficient way to operate.

        They are not like a supermarket where there's a section for games, section for toilet paper, section for coffee etc. The items are completely randomly scattered throughout and picked up on a first come first serve basis. Some will be done by humans, some by robots, some mixed etc. Packing in separate boxes can sometimes be more efficient so they do that, but sometimes not and so they collate into one box. It depends on many factors and computers will determine the optimal solution.

        Sometimes getting a pack of Quilton rolls OFF the packaging line quickly is more beneficial than sitting waiting for the second one to arrive to pack them both into same box. So they get sent out separately. With the volume they do every minute, it makes sense to them.

        If you really want to understand this further, watch their fulfilment center tour videos. As an ex-shipping & logistics experienced person from decade ago, you may find it very interesting how things have evolved.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqyKdLo6ZYw

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6OusrTxwxA

        • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 21:26
          -5

          After chatting with Amazon chat the leeway from the product dimensions vs the box dimensions is the issue, its obvious both of the same items fit in the box but the system says 2 BOXES NEED TO BE USED despite a human being able to put both plus extra items in the same carboard box.

      • bomberswarm2 on 11/08/2022 - 09:59

        Where I worked we shipped toilet rolls by putting a sticker on the plastic wrapper, no boxes.

  • lovesabargain77 on 09/08/2022 - 19:17
    +23

    I understand it's a bit wasteful but I'd hate to see how angry you'd get if your items had arrived damaged.

  • JimmyF on 09/08/2022 - 19:26
    -1

    3 separate boxes and 1 padded envelope arrive at the same time!
    Amazon are as inefficient

    Did they charge you any extra? If not, don't worry about it.

      • bdl on 09/08/2022 - 19:49
        +7

        Well quit challenging people to order TP then :)

      • trustnoone on 09/08/2022 - 19:59

        its pure wastage and inefficiency.

        Thats just how the capital world works. You can be sure that amazon has calculated it out and there's some algorithm/computer that tells them to put the item in the box because its not worth the potential cost of putting it in the same box/area/etc for whatever reason that makes it not worth the cost.

        Complaining works, but you have to have a direction, if you came here complaining about how Amazon it destroying the Amazon (lol) because of their packaging practices. People may be more forward to agree and Amazon may even make changes to support the environment (like more environmental packaging, and tweaking the algorithm so that its more likely to pack together etc).

        • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 20:05

          Thats a good point sure.
          Amazon is a different beast.
          The 2x items fit easily in the same box, maybe the algorithm has a leeway in dimension for the box and its all automated not even giving the human packer a c\hance to fit the 2 same items in the same box.

      • GrueHunter on 09/08/2022 - 21:11
        -1

        CARBON CON VS GLOBAL POISONING

        Ah, that explains this:

        !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 21:36
          -2

          Explains people cant think for themselves, blame carbon and methane (cow burps) for the worlds problems not the global poisoning destroying the planet.
          Lack of recycling in a disposable society (cheaper to dump than repair), military crap, dumping chemicals into rivers, oceans etc
          Ship resources half way across the world for slave labour wages sent back to the original country (wasting fuel) so the rich can mazimise profits.
          Grow up buddy.

          • GrueHunter on 10/08/2022 - 19:47
            +1

            @Pimpiticians 4 Life: Imagine if it was both, and CO2 and pollution were problems. That'd mean holding two thoughts in your head at the same time, but give it a go and see how things pan out. Watch for nose bleeds.

            Except cardboard isn't the problem. Compost it.

            Ordering a chocolate orange and getting it shipped across the country rather than grabbing it from the supermarket and then complaining it comes in a box, on the other hand?

            You're the problem, champ. I'd wager you also have a few up here. /taps head

      • Harold Halfprice on 10/08/2022 - 21:41

        Inefficient apparently, yet they offer the lowest cost and quickest delivery service on the market.

        Can't be that inefficient then, can it?

      • SirCH on 12/08/2022 - 09:29

        Not sure you can complain about globalisation when you're ordering Nintendo and Cadbury products from Amazon whilst you live in Australia that are sent in vans using oil that's probably from the Middle East…

  • Matt88 on 09/08/2022 - 19:35
    +8

    At least your toilet paper arrived as you probably needed it after Amazon gave you the shits

  • spaiydz on 09/08/2022 - 20:22
    +1

    I'm glad they got rid of those air bubble wraps though.

  • AndyC1 on 09/08/2022 - 20:25

    At least you got your order. I am in an apartment block and they have left it in a different building, at the front of the gararge open to the elements, at some other address, somewhere in the suburb. I get about 1/3 of the orders delivered to the front door or to the bottom of the stair well and the rest are somewhere else or delivered to some other address.

    So at least you got your orders.

    • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 20:47
      -1

      I see your point for sure, however you can arrange a collection point to collect from with that issue.

      Had a quick chat with Amazon Chat.
      The box dimensions (in their system) for a single item (does not matter if ordering 2, 3 , 4 of the same item wold fit) have a quiet large margin for error apparently automatically result in 2 separate boxes rather than the same sized box which would easily fit both items or a larger box being applied NO MATTER what item is ordered.

      • AndyC1 on 09/08/2022 - 20:58

        Delivery to the collection point is a week.

    • greatlamp on 12/08/2022 - 07:50

      Is there a way you can fit extra instructions in the address line? There must be something confusing about your apartment address

      • AndyC1 on 12/08/2022 - 08:11

        There is one driveway for two addresses (not even the same street) and there is a big sign at the end of the driveway and they cannot read it or they go into the front building where is clearly has units 1 to x and I am in 2*x so it's not even the correct building. The sign at the end of the driveway has text 20cm high that points to the two different addresses and they just cannot read it again…..

        They need to train the drivers to read signs.

  • CheapskateQueen on 09/08/2022 - 21:21
    +10

    walk into a store and buy your products

    I agree that it's sometimes upsetting to see how much packaging they use, but your rant is excessive.

    we each make a choice: good price, fast delivery, excess packaging.

    or walk into a store pay more, waste time, save packaging.

    it's in your hands

  • ECE on 09/08/2022 - 21:27
    +1

    I dont complain. I love Amazon 😷

  • djones145 on 09/08/2022 - 21:42
    +7

    if you are worried about global warming and carbon emissions u really need to live of the grid man

    simplify man simplify

    why are u using toilet paper, playing games and eating processed chocolate

    simplify man

      • teacherer on 10/08/2022 - 09:07
        +12

        Tell me you're scientifically illiterate without telling me you're scientifically illiterate lmao

        • GrueHunter on 10/08/2022 - 19:48

          You mean the RANDOM SHOUTING and !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! didn't give it away?

  • USER DC on 09/08/2022 - 22:57

    As long as I get stuff for cheap I dont honestly care how I get it, ( in how package is delivered to me as long as its delivered safely)

  • jason101 on 09/08/2022 - 23:17
    +2

    The boxes are made in Australia, think of the thousands of Aussies and businesses we as ozbargainers using Amazon are supporting by constantly receiving and recycling boxes. If you looked at the supply chain involved just to make 1 cardboard box you’d feel proud to be supporting a massive local workforce.

    • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 23:34
      -1

      Good Old Visy Cardboard.

      https://www.smh.com.au/business/visy-scam-worthy-of-jail-200…

      1. A FEDERAL Court judge yesterday imposed a record fine of $36 million on Richard Pratt's company, Visy, saying the Melbourne billionaire's cartel crimes would have landed him in jail in other countries.

      Justice Peter Heerey of the Melbourne Federal Court said the case was the most serious instance of price-fixing in the 30 years the practice had been illegal in Australia.

      The fine is more than double the previous penalty for price-fixing offences handed down by the court.

      In his reasons, Justice Heerey said that individuals guilty of destructive cartel behaviour could face jail in the United States, Canada, France, Germany and eight other OECD countries.

      • Awoke on 11/08/2022 - 07:39
        +2

        In his reasons, Justice Heerey said that individuals guilty of destructive cartel behaviour could face jail in the United States, Canada, France, Germany and eight other OECD countries

        Irrelevant commentary by the judge as we are in Australia and only our laws apply

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 11/08/2022 - 09:12
          +1

          Agreed. I could face jail for taking a photo of a statue in several countries. Irrelevant here.

  • eug on 09/08/2022 - 23:27

    Amazon are as inefficient as all the other sh1+ shows on offer, why do people make out they are something special?

    Maybe if they listen to your complaint, they will be able to become more efficient and one day become a successful business. Clearly they don't know anything about shipping logistics right now.

    • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 09/08/2022 - 23:36
      -3

      After chatting with Amazon chat the leeway from the product dimensions vs the box dimensions is the issue, its obvious both of the same items fit in the box but the system says 2 BOXES NEED TO BE USED despite a human being able to put both plus extra items in the same carboard box.

      Hopefully they fix this issue in the future.

  • MrFrugalSpend on 10/08/2022 - 00:04

    I agree with OP - I find it odd how big of a box amazon stuff comes that is a fraction of the size. But its usually on time / reliable I find.
    However it's probably not all that big of a deal, because delivery trucks/vans would be running all the same routes anyway and presumably aren't so over-stocked as a result of this it results in need for extra vehicles… and it doesn't add a lot of extra weight. So probably doesn't matter too much if you are worried about the environment or something. However it would be ideal if they had an intermediate box size with a bit less extra cardboard.

  • Pimpiticians 4 Life on 10/08/2022 - 00:22
    -7

    I add a bit of mayo on the headline for kicks and man do the Amazon puffs get triggered with the downvotes, keep em coming.

    • Gervais fanboy on 10/08/2022 - 00:41
      +6

      You seem like one well-balanced individual..👍🏻

    • SBOB on 10/08/2022 - 01:14
      +3

      "so what am I missing?"

      Perhaps the ability to see viewpoints other than the one you've already made your mind up on?

  • rumchaser on 10/08/2022 - 05:06

    Just be happy it all arrived .

  • TilacVIP on 10/08/2022 - 08:34
    +7

    Imagine living with this individual.

    The time and motivation to complain about packaging. SMH

  • mastermik3y on 10/08/2022 - 08:43

    Yep they sure love to place anything and everything into those big massive boxes. I can only imagine these boxes piling up in peoples homes.

    I had a poor experience with Amazon recently where I had placed an order but it said order to be delivered on Friday. It didn't turn up so I kind of figured it would be delivered on the Monday. Received a message saying it will be delivered on Saturday. No option to postpone this delivery to Monday as I was busy the whole day. Lucky at 1am there was still online chat available so managed to chat to someone and got the 2 boxes delayed until Monday. Guess what happens? One LARGE box was delivered on the Saturday which basically sat in front of the front door for the whole day. I am surprised no one tried to steal it as it's quite a busy road. As for the 2nd box… it never arrived on Monday. Had to submit a complaint with them.

    • eug on 10/08/2022 - 09:12
      +2

      I can only imagine these boxes piling up in peoples homes.

      It's quite common for people to dispose of their rubbish rather than simply let them pile up. :)

    • dmbminaret on 10/08/2022 - 19:10

      I can only imagine these boxes piling up in peoples homes.

      I get 90% of my orders delivered to work and it's fantastic to have different sizes boxes and padded bags to send out spare parts.

      Today I received 6 suimins in a box from Australia Post and took them out to use the perfectly sized box for some stuff that left with startrack an hour later.

      Strangely enough, the 6 suimins were from two seperate orders, so they do infact combine.

    • lainey13 on 10/08/2022 - 19:38

      You have the ability to mark an address as no delivery on sat/sun

  • ThithLord on 10/08/2022 - 08:53
    +3

    Don't buy from Amazon, simple. It's a terrible company to support and you've found out the … simple way, I guess.

    • dmbminaret on 10/08/2022 - 19:15
      -1

      a terrible company to support

      I don't 'support' them. They're not a charity.

      I have a contractual agreement to pay for goods and services that they deliver on. In that regard, they are a GOOD company and I will continue to engage with them.

  • ardie-chengz on 10/08/2022 - 09:41
    +1

    All that just because your small items arrived in big boxes separately??

    • mbck on 10/08/2022 - 10:09

      Life's too good for op if this made them so mad to type such a wall of words. Lol

  • bamzero on 10/08/2022 - 09:46

    Stock won't always be fulfilled from the same warehouse so you may receive multiple boxes.

    I'm all for responsible packaging, but it wouldn't hurt to use a little packing in some of their boxes. Received 4 glass jars rolling around in a box the other day, not even a little scrunched paper in there. Admittedly were ok this time, but was a one day delivery by Amazon driver. I suspect if it came by Auspost would have got a box of broken jars and a mess of their contents instead.

  • SirFlibbled on 10/08/2022 - 09:56

    My issue is the use of those plastic bubble wrap bags. It's terrible for the environment to be pumping out plastic packaging. When I order stuff from the UK, it always comes in cardboard envelopes, so they clearly have access to this stuff.

  • Sharknado88 on 10/08/2022 - 10:12
    +2

    Look at this aspiring eco-warrior cum keyboard warrior. There are so many other things you can do instead of hiding behind the computer and assuming everything and making blanket statements like this.

  • singingwolf on 10/08/2022 - 10:52

    I had an item arrive with no packaging, just an address label stuck the the box of the item. It was a gift. Stupid.

    • eug on 10/08/2022 - 23:27
      +2

      I ordered a Bosch drill that came with an address label stuck to the box. However at checkout it clearly said "Item arrives in packaging that reveals what's inside. To hide it, choose Ship in Amazon packaging."

      • singingwolf on 11/08/2022 - 10:24
        +1

        Will need to look out for that from now on. I don't think I would have understood that "packaging that reveals what's inside" is actually air.

        • eug on 12/08/2022 - 11:13

          Haha, I know what you mean, but technically the box the product comes in is simply packaging for the product itself. :)

  • RSmith on 10/08/2022 - 11:14
    +3

    Cancel your membership and save the planet.

  • nobro25 on 10/08/2022 - 11:17

    OP be like spamming the dislike button of this vid.

    https://youtu.be/FiEoF5-RBQw

  • Ceri on 10/08/2022 - 11:28
    +1

    Yeah its not even a new problem.. Thats why I only do one-off monthly amazon prime for items that I absolutely need. Prefer buying in-person due to ginormous amount of waste from amazon packaging.

  • lddv04 on 10/08/2022 - 12:52
    +2

    You need a bigger box for all those exclamation marks!

  • Ozbargainlyf on 10/08/2022 - 13:38
    +2

    How about instead of complaining about too much packaging, you reconsider your need to purchase completely pointless items that you could get yourself off the rack at your local supermarket, and reduce the footprint of transportation, packaging etc.

    Or if you like the convenience, then put up with it. As clearly explained by multiple people, each item could be coming from multiple consignment centres.

  • stopthecap on 10/08/2022 - 13:43

    I care about the environment and hate evil companies who don't let their staff take pee breaks but will order 4 packages a day.

    • RSmith on 10/08/2022 - 15:24

      What's pee break got to do with 4 packages?

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