yeah, this "snap closed" tapes are cheap quality basically... As baglady says, not ideal at all, but often were only things in stock. I have no idea when they were selling them, but I think it they also did plenty of these on red shells. I think this might be also easier to do "all over print" or labels in general, so there are other places that are using tape shells that are all flat surface, no screws, etc.
Always hoped that tapes would be best that one can get, but supply or prices has not been what it used to be for many many years..
