FWIW I've been told that strike anywhere vs strike-on-the-box is not just a matter of store's choice; there appears to be an actual local ordinance governing this. I can drive just a few miles into another state, another county, or outside of city limits, and find strike anywhere easily.

I've had the same experience with NATO lifeboat matches flaring the whole length of the head rather than turning into a useful flame..repeatedly. Would NEVER be able to use them to light a lantern or stove, for example.

So now what I do is stuff the match into a handful of my smallest tinder (ultra-tiny twigs, waxed paper, etc) and strike the match with the tinder bundle squeezed around it. No problems this way, so far.