Actually in both cases, the problem wasn't enough for me to RMA the product. Because I know that is expensive as they have to repackage everything.
I did RMA the new speakers I got ... they were total crap and cost £90. I got some terrible sunglasses a few months back, real flimsy ... but for £25 I just kept them. I normally would only send back something expensive if it wasn't any good. Those speakers are the first time I've ever sent anything back.
I normally just leave a review. And most of my reviews are usually 4 or 5 stars. If I like a product, I pass that info on too. I have a few quirks. Example. I got an office chair recently. Its really good. For the money I paid ... top notch, worth 5 stars. But I only gave it 4 stars. I knocked a star off and told them in the review, that the amount of bubble wrap, plastic, polystyrene etc was ridiculous and that it would likely end up in the belly of a whale once my local council sells it to China to put in the sea for us. But I think that's good. If people do knock a star off for irresponsible packaging, companies will try harder to make these things biodegradable. Its not a global warming (read hoax) thing, its about pollution and waste management. Apple for example ... a terrible company in almost every way, have to give them credit done very well of late with their packaging ... its mostly cardboard and paper. Little plastics. So if anyone else is choosing a chair and are torn between two, that bad packaging might sway them to take the other one ... less pollution ... companies try harder.
So my reviews are often fair, usually glowing if the product is good, but I do call out the shitty ones. I just feel if they pay people to remove the bad reviews, it invalidates the review system as it makes it hard to see the cons when weighing up a purchasing decision and you could end up making a mistake that could have been avoided if all the feedback was available. I'd rather that than waste the company's time sending something inferior back.