Reading the replies to my OP have been interesting. Part of my issue is that I may have "good old days" syndrome. When I started riding there was no online shopping, hell there wasn't even an internet. The LBS was the only place. Performance and Nashbar were truly mail order and were marginally cheaper and the quality of their housebrand stuff was iffy. The people that worked in shops rode bikes, worked on bikes and knew their product. As a consumer, I learned about the spec and ride characteristics of a particular bike from my "guy" at the shop. If I was interested in a different brand, I found a "guy" at a different shop.

I guess I want a shop where the people who are selling the product know, at least, as much about the product as I do and can further inform my decision making process. If it is all on me, then I should feel no pain about buying online.