Yeah, I don't mean that being name-brand ensures quality, but buying from a big-box or department store at least ensures that you're getting the thing you order

Yeah, I don't mean that being name-brand ensures quality, but buying from a big-box or department store at least ensures that you're getting the thing you order. The whole point of brands from a consumer perspective is that they build a reputation on that brand, and you can choose to purchase things in the future based on past experience with the brand. Amazon breaks that because of the counterfeit and no-name-brand stuff.