We live in Manhattan and order even more stuff than GP (about 25 orders last month) and we've had like two issues this year: a missing knob on a puzzle for toddlers, and paint on three toy vehicles damaged during shipping.
Could also be that people's experience depends on how picky they are about sellers. I mostly just go for Amazon or the original manufacturer (I guess I should to the original manufacturer's site, but I don't want to find my wallet...)
I'm suspicious it must just be regional, because my experience is similar.
I live in NM and have had only half a dozen "major" (?) issues over the decade+ that I've ordered from Amazon. My experience is posted slightly up thread from yours.
