I'd have to disagree with you there, Marc. I can see why an originator such as VSTEP might prefer direct client sales (no commission!); as a general rule of thumb, it's always better to buy stuff online from a local supplier.
If you buy it from a local distributor (eg amazon.co.uk in my case), then local retail laws automatically protect the consumer, and it would be MUCH easier to get recourse in the event the software is faulty ("Not fit for the purpose for which it was intended" according to the UK Sale of Goods act), or there is some other problem such as non-delivery. Please note that I wouldn't dream of saying that SSE isn't fit for purpose!
(Note: Although amazon.co.uk supplies from certain "tax havens", your contract of sale (and that's the bit that counts!) is with the UK company)
There ARE recourse methods which go "cross border" (especially in the EU), but they're not easy to enforce.
Anyway, that's my twopennyworth...!
