I would suggest buying LC at a brick and mortar store if you are experiencing shipping damage that is a pain. That way you can examine what you are buying and don’t have to ship back the defective item. That said, our most recent purchase online was a bread cloche which arrived flaw free online from LC. I do all my buying online except for food and what I run across in Walmart or Target, and there is a certain rate of damage and the occasional scam which everyone who buys online just tolerates and returns, and I find buying from trusted sources is best because I can get my money back.

All that said, BIFL is a bit of a misnomer if you expect a 30 year old dutch oven to look new. After 15 years we have the bread dutch oven be permanently stained (it is replaced with the bread cloche) but it functions well. I have a 50 year old Revlon manicure set which the leather case finally broke and I have moved on. I find only things which do not get heavy use actually last a lifetime. Buying actual good quality lasts longer. I treat anything electronic as if it is food, because all electronics have a limited life. I keep buying good quality leather family room couches but they still only last 10 years of heavy use. I think buying quality is good, but good value at a good price (thrift) is more prudent.