[Loughla]

>I generally try to buy from companies directly

This is the secret today. Find the product you want, buy straight from that company. Anymore the storefronts are all uniform and shipping (which used to be Amazon's advantage) is the same.

The days of massive online retailers dominating is over at my house. I just wish more people would figure that out.

[tiltowait]

I find Amazon’s shipping to be fastest about 9 times out of 10—and that 1 is just the direct seller matching, not beating. With Prime, shipping is also “free” (so long as you’ve saved enough on shipping to recoup the cost of Prime itself).

But aside from that, Amazon almost always has a better return process, and you only need to give one site your payment details rather than many.

(That said, I often buy outside of Amazon, because for certain specialty items, Amazon is pretty lacking.)

[Loughla]

>Amazon almost always has a better return process

Every company so far, I send an email or click the return link on the confirmation email they sent when I ordered. Print the label and send it back. I haven't had any problems yet.

>need to give one site your payment details rather than many.

Either use PayPal or your credit card. If it gets compromised, cc companies are really good at making sure you don't get screwed.

I have been doing this for 5 years now and haven't had any problems.

[oblio]

How does it work with refunds and returns?

[Loughla]

Every company so far, I send an email or click the return link on the confirmation email they sent when I ordered. Print the label and send it back. I haven't had any problems yet.