>My current stance would be to order from a different manufacturer, as spending money on an unreliable product in this day and age just isn't okay

Given the structure of the global economy this seems more likely than at any other point tbh. Bad not good is my take

But yeah, I haven't heard so much about these QC issues. I've been considering the Blessings, I'd be grateful if anyone who has had QC issues with them could share their experiences. Don't really want to lose 500aud