As I read it, you both agree that it is no good for printing on packaging, for two different reasons. Your original statement, however, gave the unspoken implication that other URL shorteners were good for printing on packaging. It was that unspoken implication that he was talking about, rather than the directly spoken statement.
>> Your original statement, however, gave the unspoken implication that other URL shorteners were good for printing on packaging
That's a very good point. Interestingly, I think this has caught me out in situations previously. My observation was typing non-English characters would be too challenging on the keyboard I use, and as such provided an example where that may be evident.
Having glossed over the other (more important) problem as whether to use a URL shortener was excluded from my assessment (but interpreted as acceptance). Contrary to that, I could decide to use this technique to shorten URLs on my own domain, where the issues I observed would still be valid.
However, I'll throw a counter argument to support using URL shorteners just for the fun of it. I may decide to use it when:
1. There is a service-level-agreement that the service is to be operational for a set period of time (usually tied to a paid-for service).
2. It is akin to me using a phone number redirection service (I pay a top up for the redirection), and as such, have printed this number on business cards.
3. It is akin to putting a Twitter, Facebook or Linked In URL - all services that are free, and as such, have risk associated.
4. It is akin to providing a URL with a domain maintained by a third party country - for example, Libya controlling the .ly domain[1]
5. It may allow me to change the target URL at any time, keeping the content up to date.
6. It may allow me to monitor click through analytics.
But, assuming you only wanted to use it only for online purposes, then you have the following considerations:
1. Users don't know the target of the URL and may reduce trust. I know I've not clicked on shortened URLs of things I am unsure of the target page.
2. What benefit does shortening actually provide? If it's visual real-estate, the link can still be long with a shortened label.
