Originally Posted by
canklecat
There's no reason to avoid Amazon (other than ethical issues beyond the scope of this forum -- same with any online vendor or supplier). As someone else suggested above, just read the listings and details for the vendor and shipping.
Or make it easier and buy only products actually stocked and shipped by Amazon directly. This is generally foolproof, quicker and easier to resolve any problems.
This! Stocked in the US and shipped in the US by Amazon!.
My main beef with Amazon is stupid packaging - i.e., a 2"x3"x4" box in a 10"x12"x8" with a single inflated bubble. The small box is round from bouncing around in the big box with no padding. That, coupled with delivery folks who throw it onto the bottom step or sit it on the lower step on the porch in the rain when if it was placed 2 steps higher would stay dry. I got a delivery when there was snow on the ground and could tell by the tracks they threw it from about 10 feet away.
I use Universal Cycles for routine parts and specialty places for others. Amazon is usually a last resort. I have have received bogus DVDs from Amazon, but they were refunded ASAP.