One thing that hasn't been touched on. If you need local bike shop support after your purchase, it might be best to just buy what they are selling.
Early on, I had to go to the bike shop to get flats changed. And when a spoke would break, they would replace it for free on bikes I bought from them.
Now, I'm building my own bikes from the frame up and feel comfortable ordering parts from across the globe to do so. It doesn't bother me that my local bikes shops don't carry what I want as I'm doing my own maintenance.
So if you are early on in your riding and wrenching experience, it might be best to just buy what is closest to you for the added support and warranty.