That's a very useful tip! I'm moving a few of my SRs into other places! Thanks.

Snack bags

Thanks for sharing.....great idea.....I always have trouble opening those packages, too.

Thanks for the hints - letter opener and tie opener!

Thanks for the suggestion. Sure can use it around here.

Good way to recycle!

great idea , thanks

I read once that they are great for deveining shrimp. Never tried it, I don't eat shrimp.

Great Idea :thumbup:

Thanks - Great idea!

Great tip, as I always have trouble opening those packaged toys or whatever. You bought it, you didn't steal it, but you still can't open it. Whatever.

Great tip. I've always said that if they packaged firearms in those modern packages; i.e. cds, toys, that there would be a decrease in violence because the dirty rackafrackers wouldn't be able to get the guns out of the packaging.

Thanks!!! Great idea!!!

Good idea. I never thought to do that. I don't think anyone should be concerned about any issue of returns to a store either. As long as they still have all the pkgg., returns shouldn't be an issue, because of cutting those ty-wrap ties. Electrical diagonal or "side cutters" are perfect for cutting those ty-wraps, as they started out life as an electrical industry supply; and will do the job effortlessly. Harbor freight has a pair for $1.89. http://www.harborfreight.com/4-1-2-h...ers-40695.html
We know you have to go there anyway for the rotary cutting blades.;)

OP: I love the idea for using the old seam ripper for all the rest of that plastic pkgg I have trouble opening! Thanks

You're so right, that would be perfect, as well as for the letters...gotta go get a couple of cheapies to have around the house now. I think I would make sure to get one with a plastic handle (some of mine still are wood handles) for the shrimp for sanitary reasons. Thanks to all the smart ideas from board members!

That's why you never ever throw away :D
There's always a use.

Nail clippers work great for clipping these ties.

I love it when someone finds an inventive way to use something for a new purpose rather than throwing it away.
Geat idea and I will remember it.

Great tips for the seam rippers. I work part time at a local country store and we always have to open cello packages with a razor knife, think I'll take in my old seam ripper and try that.

Only thing I ever learned from M-tv (while channel surfing) was how to open those dvd/cd packages. Find a counter with good old formica top and scrape the side of the cellophane down the sharp 90 degree angle on the counter. Hope I explained well. Seam ripper hints are all great. Thanks.

I tell my husband about some of the odds-and-ends ideas we come up with here - - - and he just grins and shakes his head at me.

Good idea. Some of the packaging today is so hard to get into, you'd think it was from Fort Knox.

I bet it is the perfect size. I'll be trying that one next time I can't open a package.

I could have used this tip last night when I was trying to open my Quilter's Fabric Calc!!!!!

thanks for sharing! will use.

great tip

I use a pin to open those nasty packages. It works great too.

Great Idea! I also use my old seam rippers to "clean" lint and fuzz from Velcro.

Great idea. Wished I had thought of using that on the last package I had to fight like crazy to get open. Now I know what to use to get that sealeded package open next time.