I’ve only ever owned SanDisk memory products. Media cards for cameras… thumb drives for computers. Just SanDisk. And while I do not recall why it was I originally selected them I’ve never changed makes because I’ve had nothing but perfect luck with their products.
I’m a believer.
But I must say they recently went cheap on me and I don’t like it.
I purchased two 16GB Extreme UDMA cards to go with the camera. I needed the jump in both GB space (8GB having been my previous card-size limit) and in writing speed. They weren’t cheap, but there was a sale and it made the cards much more affordable than their non-sale price. And having bought some of their higher-end cards previously, I expected a little perk or two based upon that experience.
Maybe a nice, zippered carry case. Some of their recovery software. Both of these very nice perks came with the 8GB Extreme III card I purchased about 3.5 years ago. But these new cards? Perks? Oh I think not.
Instead each came with it’s own simple plastic case, which is nice, but I find them to be rather difficult to open compared to the cases I received with my older Extreme III cards. Rather difficult.
And instead of a CD with the recovery software, which is what the III’s came with, they offer a free download & one-year subscription to the service. And no handy carry thing.
See… This is what came with those less expensive Extreme III cards purchased years ago…
SanDisk Carry Case
Has room for two cards, each kept within its own protective case. It’s really quite nice. And the protective plastic case has this nice hinged bit, which acts as the clasp to keep them closed…
SanDisk Plastic Case
The new cases have to be pried apart and I think having a fingernail would help, but I keep mine pretty short, thus leading to much irritation, fusing and fuming.
So what’s up SanDisk? Why did you go all cheap on us, especially with cards that are more expensive than the ones I purchased 3-years ago? I know cost-cutting is the business mantra everywhere, but for a card which costs in excess of USD85, how much more would it have cost to add a nice zippered case and proper plastic case?
Huh?
Forkboy's Photographic Travails 
I miss those little zippered card cases that used to come with the Sandisk cards. Of course I would overpack them, often carrying either three cards per pouch or one card plus one spare battery. I’d have a group of three or four of them hooked onto my camera bag with a carabineer. They were simplicity itself, and now they have all pretty much died on me, and I miss them terribly. If you start a petition for Sandisk to bring them back I will gladly sign. The hard cases don’t bother me as much, and the cards work great and are faster, but what does that matter when I don’t have my handy pouch to get it from point A to point B?
I wouldn’t even know how to start a petition, but I’d certainly affix my name to such! It’s such a minor thing really, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I think they’re incredibly useful.
It’s a shame SanDisk opted to go cheap.