OK, I too will bite on this thread - which is about led lights. ---from Amazon. There was a time when I refused to use Amazon. I felt like I did not know who was actually selling the product and concerned about shipping and security and ability to return if wrong. I have always felt if a i-net retailer cannot give you a phone number, address location, or accurate shipping estimate, I would not order from them - and still do not. But Amazon has solved those issues. I shop Amazon first because:
1. They have a shipping terminal near me. I can get many products in 1 day or sometimes the same day I order.
2. They TELL YOU when you look at the product when you will receive it. NOT after you enter the checkout and waste time.
3. They take returns for any good reason.
4. They ship and deliver everyday, including Sunday.
5. If I ordered a product a year ago, and want another one, I can find that product in past order records. And reorder if available.
6. On most items, you can have Guarenteed delivery date.
7. On some orders, you can actually find where the delivery vehicle is on the day of delivery.
8. I ALWAYS prefer to say, lets run to the store - like TSC. and pick up xxxx. Only to get there and find they don't have it, EVEN AFTER calling and checking. Another 50 miles wasted. So many brick and mortar stores and become online order only store for the products anyway. Many store employees seem to feel they don't have a responsibility to know products. It is like asking where to find a brass fitting. I hate the response "what are you going to use it for?" I was at the hardware store onetime and ask if they have insulation blankets for water heaters. I was told "no, that is a seasonal item, only in the winter. ---I guess water heaters get cold in the winter. There is nothing you can say to a response like that.
9. I like UPS and Fedex for the same reason - You can track your purchase. But now, even better, Amazon has invested in their own transport system because of a inability to renew UPS contract. I very much dislike USPS. Where I am, they never update tracking info. I have had a lot of lost deliveries, or delivered to wrong address. All Delays. Had one order with USPS - I spent time following up. In the end USPS said the lost it, but found it. I said good, where is it? - in Chicago. When will I get it? Well, we lost it, don't know where it is in Chicago. Never got it.
These are my experiences with shipping and purchasing. I will say I am sorry up front if yours is different. I hope you have found purchasing and delivery to be efficient with every place you do business.