Firstly, Amazon sent me a damaged package (NOTE: The item was purchased DIRECTLY FROM Amazon and not a third-party vendor) .  The damaged package was not the shipping package but the item package itself.  I refused to even open the item (assumed very likely the package contents has suffered considerably) and immediately began the process of returning the it.  Having read about Amazon's diminished quality control online and customer service, I have to wonder if Amazon has gotten "too big for it's britches" that they would allow such shoddy merchandise to leave their warehouse and such poor quality controls?  Perhaps damaged items returned to Amazon are completely ignored and simply re-delivered out to the next online purchaser/victim?  I would imagine this to be a waste of money and imprudent as for return shipping costs that they are supposed to pay (more on this later) and damaging reviews of their company reputation - such as this one.  I am of the opinion that it may actually be better to purchase items from a reputable third-party vendor (presumably small business) --> who cares about maintaining a good business reputation as it is their bread and butter!  To continue, Amazon immediately scheduled a UPS delivery, however they were on days when anyone one was home to physically hand over the package to UPS.  I contacted Amazon about this and asked them to schedule a pickup on a different date during the week wen someone was home - however this fell on deaf ears.  I tried to reschedule a pickup 5 times in fact!  Each time, my request was ignored.  I have to wonder if this was by design as now I have to pay the return fee! :-(  I will be following up my return with a request for a refund on shipping charges!!!!