Tony Cooper
nospam must be right, then. I do things the hard way. I do, if the product represents a significant expense, check reviews and ratings before entering the store. Seems like the best way to do it.

Sandman
Many people do - that doesn't make it a smooth buyer experience, just like I said. It's an added step you have to add before you go to the store.

Tony Cooper
Yes, learning all you can about a product you intend to buy is an added step. Omitting that step can make the purchase process smoother, but can also result in buying the wrong product or buying from the wrong source.

Why you think this "bump" in the purchasing process should be avoided in order to keep the process "smooth" is rather strange.

Shipping costs are an unrelated parameter in deciding whether or not an online supplier's price is competitive?

Sandman
Unknown shipping costs, added by you without knowing if there were any.

Tony Cooper
Uhhh...get your story straight. If he is talking about B&H as you say below, B&H charges shipping. I've purchased many items from B&H, and their shipping charge policy is not unknown to me.

Sandman
And now B&H sells low-quality knock-offs from China?

Tony Cooper
I guess I must have missed where nospam said online choices are limited to B&H.

Sandman
I guess you missed that nospam was specifically talking about a B&H example, yes.

Tony Cooper
The B&H that does charge for shipping?

Just out of curiosity, does nospam send you "Thank you" notes with little x's and o's for coming to his defense so often?

Sandman
I am not defending him,

Tony Cooper
Sure.