Why is this still a thing in 2023?!

Kukurutz@sh.itjust.works to Mildly Infuriating@lemmy.world – 512 points –
62

Because a single label has little value, but they are bought in drums holding 1000s of them. And this means that many enterprises decide to lower the quality of the labels and thus cut some costs.

After all, who will complain? Some rando on the Internet? 😘

With some exceptions, it is at most a minor annoyance, the vast majority of poeple are not so hung up on it that they're going to bother raising a complaint.

Besides, there is an argument to be made that the easier it is to remove an external label without leaving residue, the more likely it will fall off during shipping or stocking, or removed outright by someone before the customer gets it. These kinds of labels stay put and that's what the company wants until it's paid for.

Hell, the label OP posted has "Important" right there. The manufacter wants to ensure that label stays right where it is until its in the customers hands so they can convey whatever they need to convey. These types of labels absolutely accomplish that.

The label says "importado", which means "imported". It really had no important information on it. Of course, compared to other things this is a minor nuisance at most, but I still get mad every time. They even added a second label saying that the bowl is not dishwasher safe. And my wife bought a whole set, 20 pieces, 40 labels.

where I am import labels usually have information that is legally required. if they fall off in transit the item could be considered illegal to sell. (not like anyone checks labeling requirements though)

Nah, it says "IMPORTADO", not Important. And if both the manufacturer of the product and its seller/re-seller accepted it, it means they think it "good enough".

Money beats logic, quality, professionalism. I work in corpo, I can attest it to be truth.

Manufacturer, seller and buyer are in the EU, the import label wasn't even necessary...

Use a hairdryer, peel, remove last remains with a vegetable oil or WD40

Alcohol also often works.

WOW! My first reply on lemmy! 💖

What sourpuss downvoted that? Welcome to Lemmy! We're glad to have you!

You have to get to the point of "last remains" first. Dish soap worked just fine to remove the residue.

I didn't think of a hairdryer, but that's too many tools for such a job anyway...

Mildly infuriating? No sir, this is seriously infuriating if I’ve ever seen it! 🤬

They don’t want you to peel them off and switch them with other products when you’re in a store

That’s generally for UPC’s labels and is part of the reason but... There are thousand's of different adhesives that react differently to the material you are placing them on. Most companies don’t do a ton of due diligence on what adhesives are removed the best because it’s not typically a big concern

labels normally are harder to remove than not, because it’s preferred for the company. If your label contains legal information about risk of use or any other important things of note, you need to be 100% certain that the label remains on your product throughout the entire shipment process. Couple that with the myriad of different surfaces you may apply it to, it’s better to be safe than sorry. It’s also cheaper to purchase material in larger quantities, so often companies will leverage the same label material and size to reduce costs.

This guy labels.

I normally wouldn't upvote a comment as simplistic as this one but it's Lemmy so I'm still on an upvote spree and also because I too love your username! :)

If that's the reason it's really fucking dumb. It's easier to just shoplift.

Shit one of my biggest pet peeves is when they do that with a massive sticker on books, especially the spine.

I often get flower bouquets that have this garbage on them. Why fucking put the price right on something intended to be a gift when you use shitty paper stickers like this? Makes zero sense.

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You can scrape it off using your teeth. I've done that some times.

Vegetable oil or isopropyl alcohol will get rid of the remains.

It's still a thing because why wouldn't it be? It's, after all, mildly infuriating. Not enough of an annoyance or issue to push anyone to change.

Also, "Importado". The label has some sort of message they need to make sure the customer reads, so they make it very difficult to remove in transit.

"Importado y exportado ...", that's probably the import/export company name at the top

Use alcochol, it works for me

Alcohol works well for me too, but I don't see how getting drunk would help with the stickers?

Can't believe i got ratio'd

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If the surface is flat enough, start with a scraper. One of those single edged replaceable blade deals. That'll quickly take off 90%, if not all of it. If the blade gets sticky and you want to made another pass, wipe it off with some oil (basically any, even olive oil). Then go for the other suggestions, like rubbing the sticker with oil and alcohol.

This works much quicker than just oil and alcohol, BUT the surface has to be flat. If it isn't flat, it has to be non-razor-blade-damage-vulnerable material.

I hate it when stickers tear while shredding mail and it’s not safe to leave your address on the mail when you throw it away.

Because the thing holding it together is plastic and using plastic frivolously is frowned upon. The label tears so the turtles live. Convenience costs environment, deal with it.

Coconut oil, peanut butter or almost any type of edible oil works to remove adhesives.

pretty sure the shitty sticker on the plastic product made in China easily tears for economic reasons, and not environmental reasons.

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