> I honestly can't think of a single advantage Amazon has over just ordering directly from the companies whose products I want to buy. This is what I do when I

> I honestly can't think of a single advantage Amazon has over just ordering directly from the companies whose products I want to buy. This is what I do when I can, and for the same reasons you described. However, doing so has made the most significant difference between buying from Amazon compared to buying direct crystal clear: it's rare that Amazon can't get it to me overnight for a cheaper price than buying direct. But, like you said, all that means is that they can ship me the wrong thing, or a counterfeit thing, or a lead-laden craptastic-thing, just as fast as the correct thing. I look at it this way - while it takes longer to get here, and shipping is rarely free, it still saves me time and money in the long term to buy direct when I can. It also helps directly support the people I'm buying direct from, and that matters to me more than the time and money savings Amazon makes you think they provide.