Oh, of course. You can compare external product numbers, but often these aren't updated when things change. That's not even getting into buying Levi 501's from Kmart will get you an inferior product compared to buying them from levi.com despite being marketed as the same product. Companies too will often abuse their brand and former good will in order to ship sub par products today that look almost like their products of yesteryear -- doubly so after an acquisition. I have a friend that is into Rubiks cubes and when asked which cube I should buy he just said.

> Any of them are great, except if they come from Rubiks

I still think being defeatist about this isn't helpful. More information, even if it's not complete and timeless is good. I think if this kind of information proliferated too, companies would have a disincentive to update what is loved, works and isn't broken.

Also, I realize the chip shortage is a real issue and has had genuine effects... still companies will find any external boogie man for why their products should get weaker, their turn around times longer and their products' sticker prices higher.

You can't forget the "but verify" part of "Trust but verify"