What I like about these tapes is the quality of the mechanism and the tape itself is high grade. I've had a lot of problems with tracking of almost everything TDK makes these days. I think TDK just doesn't care anymore about the limited VHS market and so are purchasing OLD high grade tape. Maxell on the other hand still is putting out good quality tape, and they are consistantly good quality with no tracking issues. However, if a vender cannot get the tapes to you in one piece due to inadequate packaging, then why bother!