I relied on Amazon to chase me across the country in numerous campgrounds bringing me exactly what I needed.
If it broke or wasn't as described, I used the return feature.
I too plow through the reviews.
One thing to realize is that folks are quicker to complain than to compliment. So it's good to read the highs and lows and the recent ones.
When shopping in person, there is NO one around to ask if they own the product and how has it performed for them? So getting the reviews on Amazon are a huge bonus.
Another nifty thing is that often one can gleam all the necessary info such as size and color etc.
What I like is that I don't have to settle for less than what I desire. If I go to the store and they don't have what I want but they have something close, why settle for that when I can go online and get the exact thing I desire?
For instance I wanted a heavy duty sewer hose and the store only had bargain thin ones.
Amazon has been a lifesaver. I waited over a year to get my 4 week reservation at Hunting Island.
2 days after arrival my toilet broke beyond repair. Well, I chopped it up some to make it flushable until it was replaced
I was able to order a toilet right away (the exact one I wanted!) from Amazon, have it delivered in 2 days and continue my vacation without leaving the island.
Now that Christmas is here, I have been able to pick out the exact gifts I desire for my loved ones while letting my fingers do the shopping.
One of my neighbors helps me out a lot and he covets my fireplace. He says over and over he wishes he had room for one in his rig and doesn't.
I went on Amazon and found him a small 14 inch fireplace that will fit in his rig nicely and put out 750 or 1500 watts of heat. Amazon has free returns through January 31st for Christmas shoppers so if he decides he doesn't love it, back it goes and he can have a gift certificate.
So wrapped up under his tree is this mysterious box... with his new fireplace! I think he will be plenty surprised since he doesn't have access to Amazon.
When he needs something he asks me to look it up on Amazon for him, which I do. Matter of fact I've done a good bit of shopping for elderly residents here. They are amazed when 2 days later I am knocking at their door with their item.
One lady that was in a ton of pain became curious about me bragging about my mattress warmer. Now she is sleeping pain free too.
Another lady needed dog fencing to let her dog out to do his business since she can't walk him. First we put up two 16 foot sections and she likes it so much, we ordered two more sections to double the area.
I pay for prime to get speedy free shipping and have let folks know I am happy to help out. ;D