So, the moral is: Learn before you buy - you can save a lot of expense and frustration!
Lots of good advice there, certainly. What's interesting is that you have quickly learnt what I discovered from experiences outside the model railroad hobby -- if you get the best stuff you'll have fewer problems. I researched things on the net first, but mainly to find out the best prices on the most expensive equipment. I chose and stuck to the best DCC kit I could find, Peco 55 track, Kato locos, MT couplers, and so on, and haven't had any of the great list of problems that seem to fill up forums.
Same as the rest of life, I suppose. The reason the most expensive stuff is expensive, is because it's better... cheaper things cost more because you have to replace them with ones that work.
You can save a whole lot of money learning that lesson.
Charles