I find that I'm more likely to get an item as expected from another store, and will only need to use the return policy if I change my mind or something else happens.

Whereas Amazon basically doesn't care about the inventory it ships and your only choice, really, is to use the return policy to actually get what you want.

I'm in the UK so I enjoy some solid consumer rights (at least for the time being). Plenty of online retailers ship return labels and packaging with your order, should you need to send something back.