I have bought cards exclusively on amazon but recently came across an article where it mentioned how counterfeit articles proliferate on amazon. Pick either of the examples above, multiple sellers but the same SKU. The sellers sending these cards to amazon to stock, all go in the same bin (same SKU). If a seller happens to send a counterfeit card, now you have a 'bin' of a mix of fake and genuine cards. Its your luck, you will get genuine or fake. I bought a Samsung Evo card a while back, shipped and sold by amazon, but tuned out to be fake (slow writing and reading speeds, failed h2testw testing). Since then I started buying cards on the Samsung website.
Now for the Samsung Pro Endurance card linked, there are 2 versions, current and old. Samsung website only shows the older version. Wouldn't you think the Samsung website will be the first one to get updated with the newer version?
Samsung webpage doesn't even list a 256GB card, yet it is available on amazon for sale. This all raises my suspicion and questions the validity of being shipped and sold by amazon.
I totally get free returns criteria, but at what cost? I have returned Sandisk cards back to Sandisk for free in exchange for a newer card. (Sandisk had a lifetime warranty on some of the cards.. If cards fail, you reach out to them and return the card. Once they confirm, they send a new card. Did that twice. Not too sure if its still valid now its WD). If I am buying a genuine card, I don't have to worry about returning it, to begin with. And if it fails, well that's just electronics for you.