Yeah, things are often a disappointment these days, but if you go through life being constantly disappointed with everything you buy, then I don't think it's a very happy life. And you only get the one shot.
Personally, bought a decent camera a few years ago from a big electronics chain's tax free store in an airport in the UK. Saved several hundred Euro in the process, and bought their product cover plan for 5 years seeing as it was expensive kit. Three years later, on holidays and the front element of the kit lens fell out - literally disintegrated in my hands as I used it. Brought it back to a store in Ireland and they said they'd repair it under the cover, but when they didn't repair it (and I was entitled to a replacement), they said they couldn't replace it as that model was discontinued, and they couldn't give me the replacement model because the original was paid for in the UK.
In the end, after numerous phone calls to the head office and visits to the manager, I ended up having to effectively pay the tax I'd saved originally to get a replacement, moving it from the cheapest I could've paid for it to the most expensive.
I had specifically asked when I bought it about the UK / Ireland thing and was told it was absolutely no problem. After all, it's difficult to return it to the same store without buying an airline ticket. But I have to say that even now, over a year on, that experience taints the pleasure I get from using my camera. Especially since I'd never consider buying from that crowd of thieves normally. I never will again, even if it is the best price.
