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Old 01-03-2021, 08:59 AM   #40
wdc330i
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: '22 M440 xDrive GC
Posts: 13,246
Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy View Post
Amazon fixed the problem of co-mingling marketplace and Amazon inventory some years ago (they used to be stocked interchangably, so fakes were getting into the sold by/shipped by Amazon inventory).

I haven't had any problems with them other than the occasional (maybe once a year) mis-pack when they shipped X of something when I ordered quantity Y. I did have a "not as described" wall wart adapter last month from an Amazon marketplace (shipped by Amazon) seller, but they refunded me within 48 hours and told me to keep/discard the device. I think they're desperate to keep up their seller rating.


Amazon is still by go-to place for most stuff. Used things I get occasionally from eBay (as both an eBay and PayPal concierge-level customer, they automatically default to me being right if there's ever a problem, and there hasn't been in 4+ years).

As far as the specific case of Christmas tree lights, I can order them from Amazon and have free returns if anything is wrong, buy them at Michael's/Christmas Shoppe/wherever for twice the price and deal with the hassle of returning them, or order from Aliexpress and hope they get here before Easter and have no real recourse if there turns out to be a problem. I know which way I'm going.

I just checked and I've generated $121.23 for my Amazon Smile charity in 2020, so that means I spent $12K there (granted, a good bit of that was for work, but even so).
Oh, I spend a ton of money with them as well. But for anything fancy or subject to fakery, I try to go brick and mortar.

Relatedly, Best Buy has done a really top-notch job ramping up their e-commerce functionality. Competitive prices (and price match guarantees) plus speedy delivery or same-day curbside pickup. And bonus “member” points/incentives.
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