> you really need the research to become something of a hobby since you'll be spending hours on it Exactly, that's my point. In most cases I do extensive resea

> you really need the research to become something of a hobby since you'll be spending hours on it Exactly, that's my point. In most cases I do extensive research before purchasing by looking up online reviews, forum discussions, and even company/seller background. My problem is that as a consumer I shouldn't have to do this. I should be able to trust retailers to do this quality and safety vetting for me, so that I don't purchase something harmful, that doesn't work or will break soon after purchase. But, as you know, it's not in e.g Amazon's interest to give consumers this assurance. Their main clients, after all, are the same dodgy vendors that sell counterfeit garbage, buy fake reviews, and change their "company" name on a whim. Amazon has no incentive to protect the consumer. I think that a consumer protection agency on behalf of the government should step in, and force retailers to do better. The other problem is that most consumers don't see this as an issue. They'd rather buy the first cheapest thing they can find, and don't care how well made it is, as long as they can quickly buy it again if needed.