ordering issues in the u.s......

[ROBERT(OG)]

I have a guitar in, it needs a new piezo style under the saddle pickup, easy enough. I can usually piss in the wind and find one.
all parts is out.
guitar parts resource is out.
I didn't bother checking stewmac
-I went a direction I HATE GOING, I ordered 2 off of Amazon, installed the first one, sorta wonky sounding, like the 6th and 5th string aren't coming through. unless I apply immense pressure on the bass side, double checked, its seated just fine. pulled it, and put in another brand new one, same supplier from Amazon. same issue, this one has almost zero 6th string response, and the 5th is barely there, the rest are all on point.
its not extra wrapped, or oddly shaped, about as generic as possible, just only picks up half of the signal, pretty strange as I don't believe I have ever encountered this.
I knew before I bought them that there was a really good chance it would be junk. around here everyone always talks a good game about all of the "deals" to be had on Amazon, temu, wish, whatever.
I have taken the "bait" a couple of times, and everytime its a complete fucking waste. this is no different.
so, what the fuck is going on? all of my usual places are completely out of stock, except for shady online markets, and to think, I found what I am looking for from wal-mart online? im sure its going to sound like absolute ass, if it works at all.
keep in mind. its not my choice. this is what I have at my disposal when a customer says, " I don;t have a lot, keep it cheap" which I cant be too many, dude is a PTSD vet and lives on scraps from uncle Sam.
anyway, anyone in the u.s. having issues with places not having stuff in stock or available?
but who has one in stock? fucking wal-mart?