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> I want actual single source suppliers that vet their suppliers and supplies. I bought a beard trimmer, at a local Walmart store, in an unopened package. An

> I want actual single source suppliers that vet their suppliers and supplies. I bought a beard trimmer, at a local Walmart store, in an unopened package. And found hairs and grime on the blade. Bought new DJI goggles from B&H Photo. Which turned out to be a DJI factory refurb. But it also turned out there were then only refurbs in the supply chain for that being-phased-out model. So no-surprises supply is perhaps more nuanced and difficult than 'avoid Amazon'. With my own taste in tech becoming more esoteric, less Amazon or AliExpress and more Alibaba, I've been feeling that personal supply chain quality management is becoming my new normal. Hmm, perhaps, just as we should be teaching personal financial management in school, we should also be teaching supply chain management? :)

kayfox 6y ago
B&H shipped me used Anton Bauer 90Wh batteries when I bought new ones at the tail end of that particular model. So I imagine thats what they end up doing. The real fun was when I ranted about it on Twitter, their director of social media tried to shame me by saying I was being "too picky" or something. Because I really don't like the idea of a 90Wh+ battery having some unknown issue that happened before I owned it and catching fire in the most gloriously explosive way. The whole lithium ion battery industry kinda drives me up the wall. I'd love to just order some cells from Digikey, but no can do.
bitexploder 6y ago
I do agree, but the prevalence of Amazon's practices are very well known. Returned products being put back on a shelf or back into supply will obviously happen, but I have seen it happen almost zero with the retailers I mentioned (We have also been using target.com, costco.com, etc.). It definitely takes some effort and a little more shopping around, but it has mostly been working for us (in my household).

kayfox 6y ago

B&H shipped me used Anton Bauer 90Wh batteries when I bought new ones at the tail end of that particular model. So I imagine thats what they end up doing. The real fun was when I ranted about it on Twitter, their director of social media tried to shame me by saying I was being "too picky" or something. Because I really don't like the idea of a 90Wh+ battery having some unknown issue that happened before I owned it and catching fire in the most gloriously explosive way. The whole lithium ion battery industry kinda drives me up the wall. I'd love to just order some cells from Digikey, but no can do.

bitexploder 6y ago

I do agree, but the prevalence of Amazon's practices are very well known. Returned products being put back on a shelf or back into supply will obviously happen, but I have seen it happen almost zero with the retailers I mentioned (We have also been using target.com, costco.com, etc.). It definitely takes some effort and a little more shopping around, but it has mostly been working for us (in my household).