ADVANTUS Translucent Retractable ID Card Reel with Belt Clip, 30-Inch Extension, Pack of 12, Clear (75473)

I started purchasing these as I buzz into a lot of doors at my work on a day to day basis and I can only use either this type of product or a normal neck lanyard that is never long enough when I need to buzz in while holding computer equipment(I work in IT).I broke the one my company gave me after a few months, just frayed and snapped the cord. This seemed like the best value as opposed to $3-6 dollar single units also sold on Amazon.I am now on the 4th one from the first order of these that I played back on June 28th, 2008. So as you can see, they're not too bad in terms of quality.Plastic housing and belt clip are fine, no issues with them.The ID badge snap loop is fine too, I do not have the quality issues reported by another reviewer.My only issue is the reason all 4 of my past retractors have failed, the cord. It's long enough, but it frays and breaks a bit too easily in my opinion. It's essentially fishing line wrapped in some sort of string sheath. What inevitably happens is the sheath frays at the end and eventually breaks. It's under tension and then shoots back into the housing. This does not completely mess up the functionality but it makes it harder to extend the cord for the first foot or so until the sheath finally pops back out.Overall, it's a fine product if you don't trust paying similar amounts for single retractors.

Ok, the subject line is, well, if not a lie, certainly an exaggeration. But, it made you look further down to the review, so I'm Ok with that.About the ID card reels, there really isn't much to say. They are what they are. I like that they are reasonably small. I like that they all work just fine out of the package. I like that the action is smooth. I also like that the "string" is nice and long at approximately 24 inches fully pulled out. The mechanism seems just fine, and I expect these each to last a reasonable amount of time (understanding that this sort of thing rarely works more than 6 or 8 months with heavy usage, and I have to pull this out many times a day to access ID scanners throughout my workplace).Will these cause a massive outbreak of world peace??? Not likely. Will they work well for a decently long time for your ID badge?...yes, I think so!

When I first purchased these I figured they might break within a month or two. We're pretty hard on our work badges. 90 DAYS LATER & ALL 8 (2 packs) ARE still fully FUNCTIONAL! The only reason I may need to order more soon? I give them out to other employees as an alternative badge holder. Well worth the price!Update: 9/5/11 The one I wore for the 11 months since I bought these finally broke. Aww, it didn't last a full year! Lol, as I said ... well worth the price.Another update: 4/20/14I still buy these. Still well worth the money. As with about all brands of these the string will break ... sometime. These just seem a little sturdier when they snag on something. Also, the string is a bit longer than other brands I've seen worn at work. Same price. Just better. Since October 2010 I have used 4 counting the one I use now.

I use these for my ID badge at work. In my experience, it doesn't matter much what brand, style, or color you buy... they tend to last about a year tops before either the cord snaps or the retraction spring inside fouls. The spring mechanism is strong enough to secure ID badges or possibly a small set of keys (definitely less than ten keys or so max). For less than $2.00 each, this is a good deal. I haven't tried each one individually yet, but the one that I am presently using works like it is supposed to. I'm sure if you bought in higher quantities you can get a bulk deal, but the price per unit of this deal works for me. Would have liked it to be Amazon Prime eligible though.

I must say I am glad I purchased these. I expected them to be cheap because they were very inexpensive, but I am happy I was wrong. So far in they are working great and still in perfect condition since I got them. I will defiantly be purchasing more when I need them again. I would like to see them in different colors. Red would be nice.

They arrived sooner than expected. I was concerned that the quality wouldn't be as good as those I've purchased elsewhere but they work just as well as those I have used before. When I buy these locally they are approx. $5 each so this is a great deal. I will definitely buy these again if I am in need.

One disintegrated (sprang apart) when I stretched it rather far after 1 mo of use. Nothing broke, just the string spring gizmo popped out of the casing. This has never happened to other badge holders I've had and it surprised me. Four stars for good price, attractive casing, and ... it did last a month. And I did over-extend it. I guess my standards are not super-high. :)

Great price, you get 4 for what others are asking for 2. About the only drawback is they are clip on with a spring clip rather than a slide-on stype clip, so they're a little bulkier when worn on a belt loop or belt, but are fine clipped to a shirt pocket. Very fast shipping...got what a I needed quickly for a very good price...so overall a definite recommend.

Will be buying more in the near future. They work really well and none of them have broken since we bought them 4 months ago.

They are good looking and well made. I usually have difficulties keeping mine for more than 2-3 weeks but I haven't yet broken one.

Not the sturdiest things around but it comes with 4 of them so they'll last awhile.

good enough...