Online purchases

I've been having lots of issues with online orders this whole summer. Whether it's Amazon or department stores, for some reason my recipients simply never receive their gift. It's infuriating and is starting to discourage me from gifting.

For my own stuff, I've filed multiple complaints with Amazon this summer (they've lost three of my packages...how?!) and the responses by customer service have ranged from "We're sorry, here's your refund," to "We're very sorry, here's your refund, keep the product if it ever comes, and here's an extra $10 credit for your trouble." This is the first year I've ever paid for Amazon prime, and so far it has been a letdown.

I think it might just be time that I give up on the whole online shopping thing. In my experience it's been better to see and feel and package your own gifts, which is a luxury that I unfortunately don't have time for during the school year (1--go to store, which I rarely do even to get basic groceries for myself 2--pick out gift 3--wrap gift 4--go to post office during business hours, which is impossible for me unless I skip work/class/clinic). But even so, worth it.

What's not worth it is calling customer service representatives, waiting, order number tracking blah blah blah.  All this invisible transacting is something that I want to leave behind for now.