Some time ago, I basically relegated Amazon to nothing but a search engine.

Let's say I want to buy a certain item; I do a general search online for what I want; inevitably the first 5-10 search results are a listing on Amazon. I go ahead and read reviews. I notice specs and branding info. That's it.

From there, if the store isn't near me physically (so I just go in person), I just go to the actual brand vendor and purchase directly from them instead.

1. Prices are literally either the same or cheaper direct from the brand.
2. the product is the real thing.
3. returns if needed, and customer service is always easier/better.
4. Amazon does not get my money.... (actually maybe this should be number one)

May seem convoluted but I have been burned so many times with fake items, with used items when they were supposed to be new, with no real savings, constant shipping problems, etc. that Amazon as a vendor has become basically nothing but junk to me, compared to how they operated even 10 years ago.

Meantime, I spend some of my happy time back in brick and mortar bookstores, record shops, etc. and enjoy getting undamaged items to my heart's desire. 😊